Though we may strive for the day in which it’s possible to make an entire aircraft with 3D printing, according to Wohlers Associates, about one-third of the reported additive manufacturing (AM) applications is for creating prototypes and visual models. The actual 3D printing of end parts may be on the rise, but there are applications that lay beyond the most exciting stories put forth by the media.

To better understand the myriad of ways in which AM is actually being used, ENGINEERING.com explored the technology’s various applications. Hopefully, this will provide a more complete picture of how AM can be implemented throughout all of the steps of the manufacturing process, from creating prototypes and producing auxiliary tools like jigs and fixtures to end part production.

Read more: From Prototyping to Manufacturing: What’s 3D Printing Used For?