From entry digital fabrication in glossary Human Computer Interaction the Basics
Digital fabrication refers to the intensive use of digital technology in small and large scale physical manufacture. Common examples include 3D printers and laser cutters, which can be found in maker spaces such as FabLabs. Large scale digital fabrication in the form of numerically-controlled machines has existed for many years in factory automation. The rise in signficance of digital fabrication over the last 10-15 years has been due to low-cost plastics-based 3D printers entering the hobbyist market, and larger-scale equivalents enabling highly flexible manufacturing.