## 7 Challenges and Future Prospects in Design for Additive Manufacturing of Lattice Structures
### Future Prospects in Design for Additive Manufacturing of Lattice Structures  
Ongoing developments in designing tools ideally suited to lattice structures could assist in making complex designs simpler and more accurate to generate. Engineers will be able to rapidly generate complex lattice parts tailored for AM because of the ongoing developments of contemporary design software packages. Additionally, the research and development of new materials designed for AM in particular, with customised characteristics, lightweight properties, and structural integrity, is anticipated to improve the functionality of lattice parts [10; 11], for instance, the introduction of CAD (computer-aided design) plugins or specialised design algorithms that make it easier to create lattice geometries. Current advancements in design tools aim to develop capabilities and plugins for CAD software that cater specifically to lattice designs. These tools could produce complex lattice designs automatically, giving engineers efficient and user-friendly interfaces for exploring, modifying, and generating complex lattice geometries. Further advances in methods of topology optimisation are expected to assist in the generation of lattice designs that fully use the design freedom offered by AM machines [8; 11; 71; 72]. Future work consists of AI-driven design procedures that automate and optimise lattice structures for specific performance criteria while simultaneously taking multiple variables into account all at the same time [71; 72]. The generation of lattice structures for medical implants that are optimised for biocompatibility and load-bearing capacity is one such example. Future advances in AI-driven design techniques could auto mate the building of lattice designs matched to particular performance requirements. For instance, in the medical industry, an AI-driven design strategy could generate lattice structures for implants with optimised properties for biocompatibility, load-bearing capacity, and additional characteristics relevant to the medical application. Moreover, digital twin technology, in conjunction with upgraded simulation, is expected to play a significant part in predicting the behaviour of lattice designs during and after AM and in this way assist in the performance analysis and quality control of the resulting parts [71], for instance, the use digital twin technology to compare the virtual models of lattice structures to actual 3D scan data of manufactured products for the reason of quality control. Digital twins allow for a direct comparison of the virtual and physical representations of lattice structures. By integrating 3D scan data from the actual product into the digital twin, methods of quality control can detect differences between the intended design and the manufactured part, thereby ensuring quality and consistency. Lattice designs are predicted to be used in structures that have different functions, such as embedded sensors for real-time monitoring, conduits, and advanced metamaterials [68; 69; 70], for instance, designing lattice structures within aircraft parts that integrate functions such as fuel conduits or vibration dampening. Lattice designs are often used in aeronautical applications when a reduction in weight is critical. Beyond structural support, lattice structures can incorporate additional functions, such as conduits for fuel or hydraulic fluids, which improves the overall efficiency of aircraft. This multifunctional strategy expands the applications of lattice structures in aerospace engineering. Collaboration across the globe should prove crucial in order to facilitate the sharing of knowledge and best practices and in overcoming global challenges as the field of AM lattice designs grows [17]. This can be achieved through the creation of online platforms or forums for researchers and engineers worldwide to communicate research papers, methodologies, and insights learned in AM lattice design.