**1. Introduction**

Additive manufacturing (AM) technologies are, currently, being increasingly used in manufacturing companies, particularly in view of the need to reduce the time required to launch a new product onto the market. AM is treated as a combination of materials with the aim of obtaining a real object, based on 3D CAD data [1], which is applicable in the production area of, among other things, prototyping processes, the production of products in small series and the production of tools [2].

AM technologies are particularly applicable in the field of design and construction, in manufacturing companies in the automotive, aviation, military and metal industries [3]. However, according to data from the Central Statistical Office of Poland [4], only 2.4% of Polish enterprises uses AM technology, with only 1.4% of these enterprises having their own 3D printers. Other entities commission 3D printing from external entities. In addition, large enterprises (11.2%) and industrial

processing units (5.0%) use AM technology, taking into account their type of business. Information and communications industry companies (3.2%) use their own 3D printers and outsource printing to entities from the industrial processing industry (2.9%). Bearing in mind the research results presented, regarding the application of AM technology in Polish production enterprises, research was undertaken to determine the possibilities of increasing the use of AM technology in Polish production companies.

The second chapter of this article indicates a research gap, based on an analysis of the current state of research in the field of the application of AM technology in Polish manufacturing companies. Based on the analysis carried out, the need was pointed out, on the one hand, to conduct advanced, empirical research into Polish enterprises, regarding the use of AM technology; on the other hand, restrictions on their use was pointed out. In the first stage of the research, the dimensions of the AM technology use in Polish manufacturing companies, were defined. Research was narrowed to the automotive and metal industries. A detailed description of the AM technologies used was then made for each individual dimension. The fourth part of the article describes the research methodology and gives details of the research samples. The following sections analyse the data acquired and indicate that both metal and automotive companies use—or actually have investment plans to implement—additive manufacturing technologies, due to the need to reduce production costs, optimise processes and increase speed and flexibility in responding to customer needs. The summary presents the possibilities of using the results of research in economic practice and formulates the direction of further work.
