Abstract
PurposeThis paper addresses the most important factors for the selection of additive manufacturing (AM) technology as a method of production of metal parts. AM creates objects by adding material layer by layer based on 3D models. At present, interest in AM is high as it is hoped that AM contributes to the competitiveness of Western manufacturing industries.Design/methodology/approachA literature study is conducted to identify the factors that affect the selection of AM technology. Expert interviews and the best–worst method are used to prioritize these factors based on relative factor weights.FindingsTechnology, demand, environment and supply-related factors are categorized and further mapped to offer a holistic picture of AM technology selection. According to expert assessments, market demand was ranked highest, although market demand is currently lacking.Research limitations/implicationsThe composition and size of the expert panel and the framing of some of the factors in light of previous literature cause validity limitations. Further research is encouraged to differentiate the selection factors for different AM implementation projects.Originality/valueThe paper presents a more complete framework of factors for innovation selection in general and the selection of AM technology specifically. This framework can serve as a basis for future studies on technology selection in the (additive) manufacturing sector and beyond. In addition to AM-specific factor weights, the paper explains why specific factors are important, reducing uncertainty for managers that have to choose between alternative manufacturing technologies.
Highlights
SelectingIn early 2020, General Electric unveiled its new jet engine GE9X, which includes several additive additively manufactured metal parts (Kellner, 2020)
The applications of additive manufacturing (AM), which creates objects by adding material layer by layer based on 3D models, are no longer limited to prototyping as it is used for the production of functional manufacturing technology parts (Atzeni and Salmi, 2012)
The main research question is: “What are the most important factors for the selection of AM technology in the European context according to experts?” We will focus on AM of metal parts rather than polymer, concrete or other materials
Summary
In early 2020, General Electric unveiled its new jet engine GE9X, which includes several additive additively manufactured metal parts (Kellner, 2020). The applications of additive manufacturing (AM), which creates objects by adding material layer by layer based on 3D models, are no longer limited to prototyping as it is used for the production of functional manufacturing technology parts (Atzeni and Salmi, 2012). News about General Electric using additively manufactured functional parts in its new jet engine still creates a stir in the AM community and beyond. The diffusion of AM practical applications is lagging behind expectations, and additively manufactured components continue to be the exception rather than the norm. Metal AM accounts only for a tiny fraction of the global manufacturing market, less than 0.1%, to be precise, according to a market report by 3DHubs (2019, p. 8)
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