Although additive manufacturing (AM), also known as 3D printing, has been around for almost 40 years, few people know how it actually works and the huge impact and benefits it offers. This book explains what AM is, using business theories to explain and illustrate why AM is increasingly being used across industries.
The book translates complex engineering technology into relevant managerial terminology, using real-world examples from industries such as apparel, construction and transportation. It provides an introduction into the technical background of AM before expanding on the applications, opportunities and challenges to business models.
Offering a unique managerial perspective, this book is aimed primarily at a scholarly audience and those researching across business disciplines, including technology management, manufacturing, production and operations management. It can also be used in emerging business courses on AM.
CHAPTER 1: Manufacturing in the 21st century Shift to services Rise of developing countries Reality of manufacturing Industry 4.0 Additive manufacturing Structure of the book CHAPTER 2: Additive Manufacturing or 3D Printing: seven types Comparing ‘traditional’ and AM Material extrusion (MEX) VAT Photopolymerization (VPP) Powder bed fusion (PBF) Material jetting (MJT) and binder jetting (BJT) Directed energy deposition (DED) and sheet lamination (SHL) Combination Concluding remarks on AM technology CHAPTER 3: The AM Business Case I: Comparing AM and TM Characteristics Process choice Technical capabilities – molds Capabilities and performance objectives Cost Quality Time Flexibility Innovation Sustainability The case for desktop 3D printers CHAPTER 4: The spread of AM Technology Technology and the economy Adoption and diffusion Adoption of the high technology: AM CHAPTER 5: The AM Business Case II: Across the Value Chain Delivering value The client order decoupling point and service Illustrative example CHAPTER 6: Apparel What is being 3D printed in apparel Performance: why AM printing is used for apparel How apparel is 3D printed: use of AM technology Where apparel is 3D printed: AM in the apparel value chain Diffusion and challenges of AM in apparel CHAPTER 7: Construction What is being 3D printed in construction Performance: why AM printing is used for construction How: AM technologies used in construction Where AM is used in the construction value chain Diffusion and challenges of AM in construction CHAPTER 8: Food What is being 3D printed in the food industry Performance: why AM printing is used for food How food is 3D printed: use of AM technology Where AM is used in the food value chain Diffusion and challenges of AM in the food industry CHAPTER 9: Medical What is being 3D printed in the medical field Performance: why AM is used in the medical field AM methods that are used for medical applications Where in the medical value chain Diffusion and challenges of medical AM CHAPTER 10: Transport What is being 3D printed related to transport Performance: why AM printing is used in transportation AM methods that are used for transportation applications Where in the transportation value chain Diffusion and challenges of AM in transportation CHAPTER 11: Technological developments Hardware Software and digital files Materials Product quality Delivery time CHAPTER 12: Sustainability developments Renewable resources Minimization of resource usage Source reduction Recycling, reuse and repair Regeneration, recovery, remanufacturing Purification, end-of-pipe and degradation Relationships between natural eco systems AM and sustainability CHAPTER 13: Legal developments Legal issues with products Legality of processes Safety Scams involving AM CHAPTER 14: Conclusion REFERENCES INDEX
Harm-Jan Steenhuis is Professor of Management, International Business in the College of Business at Hawai'i Pacific University. He previously worked at Eastern Washington University, North Carolina State University, and the University of Twente in Enschede, The Netherlands. He received his MSc in Industrial Engineering and Management and his PhD in International Technology Transfer from the University of Twente. His main research areas connect with technological development and economic development-related issues such as clusters, technology transfer and diffusion, and innovative technologies. In recent years, he has focused on additive manufacturing (AM) such as the diffusion of industrial AM, adoption of desktop 3D printers, and AM in different industries.
