Industrial exoskeletons are increasingly adopted as ergonomic interventions to reduce biomechanical overload and mitigate work-related musculoskeletal disorders in sectors such as automotive assembly and logistics. This review examines the convergence of ergonomic design principles and Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) technology to facilitate the development of cost-effective, personalized, and lightweight assistive systems.

The synthesis explores human-centric design frameworks where biomechanical imperatives and anthropometric data dictate the personalization of exoskeleton architectures, optimizing ergonomic comfort and joint alignment. It evaluates the deterministic influence of fundamental FDM process variables on the mechanical performance and structural anisotropy of printed parts. Furthermore, the review elucidates advanced optimization paradigms, detailing the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI), deep learning, and genetic algorithms to enhance dimensional precision while significantly mitigating material waste.

While practical applications demonstrate substantial reductions in muscular fatigue, technical barriers such as mechanical durability and characteristic printing defects persist. Aligning with the Industry 5.0 paradigm, current research highlights the synergy between human creativity, generative design, and sustainable fabrication. This review synthesizes current developments to provide a comprehensive framework for future research in ergonomic, FDM-based industrial exoskeletons.