# Computer-Aided Design and Additive Manufacturing for Automotive Prototypes: A Review
## 2 Material and Methods
### Descriptive Analysis  
This section evaluates 28 selected studies and their research outcomes. The selection process involved criteria such as alignment with CAD and AM integration in prototyping, publication in respected journals, and emphasis on technological innovation and real-world applications in the automotive sector. Figure 2 shows the allocation of the selected studies during the research period.  
Furthermore, it is important to note that during our database search, which was conducted up until the end of February 2024, we did not find any new articles related to our research area. We thoroughly searched through major academic databases including SCOPUS, Web of Science, and ScienceDirect. Despite extending our search period into early 2024, no additional relevant publications were identified. This absence of new articles indicates that the literature in our specific area of study had not expanded beyond what was already captured up to the end of 2023.  
According to the content analysis, the empirical approach often intertwines case studies, physical testing, and simulations, contributing significantly to the field. The analysis showed that these studies highlighted the versatility of AM in various sectors and emphasized its practical benefits, particularly in optimizing designs for enhanced performance. The methods employed in these studies were as diverse as their respective research topics were. Empirical studies often combine computer-aided design (CAD) modeling, finite element analysis, and experimental validation, reflecting a trend in the integration of various technological tools for optimized results.  
Papers related to this topic were published in 25 journals. The Rapid Prototyping Journal and Additive Manufacturing Journal accounted for the majority of publications on this research theme. Moreover, according to [31], the amount of 16 documents (57.1 percent) occupies the first quartile (Q1). The Q2 classification allocates 09 documents (32.1 percent), and the remaining 03 documents (10.7 percent) are classified as Q3 or Q4. Figure 2 shows the top 13 journals classified by [31] as a Q1 in terms of publication count resulting from the database search.  
Based on the screening of 49 documents, Figure 2 shows that the engineering area had the most significant percentage of research integrating CAD and AM (19 documents or 32.2 percent). The analysis indicated the relevance of integrating computer-aided design (CAD) and additive manufacturing (AM) for prototype manufacturing in production engineering. Furthermore, materials science and computer science, which accounted for 12 documents (16.9 percent and 10.2 percent) of all publications, respectively, demonstrated a more significant interest in the research theme than in other fields. Together, these constitute 59.3 percent of the study area. The remaining 18 papers (30.6 percent) are allocated to another science area (chemical engineering, physics, and energy sectors).  
The data analysis revealed an interaction between empirical and conceptual research in production engineering, particularly concerning CAD and AM. These studies span a broad spectrum, from hands-on experimentation to in-depth theoretical analysis, highlighting the field's dynamism and continual evolution, driven by practical needs and theoretical insights.