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Point of View: 3D Printing Disrupts Manufacturing: How Economies of One Create New Rules of Competition

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Abstract

Before the Industrial Revolution, goods were produced by local artisans and craftsmen relying primarily on locally available materials and selling primarily to local customers. These artisans conceived of and then made products, and they sold these products in their own small shops or out of their homes. In this environment, the customer was directly linked to the producer; there was no middleman and no supply chain. The Industrial Revolution ushered in an era of innovation in production methods, mining methods, and machine tools that enabled mass production and allowed the replacement of labor with machines and of traditional energy sources such as wind, water, and wood with coalpowered (and later gas-powered) machines. In the past 200 years, the elements of production have been refi ned, but the underlying economics have remained: competitive advantage goes to the company or companies (organized into a supply chain) that can produce the highest quality part at the lowest cost. Fixed costs—infrastructure and machinery—became separate from variable costs—those expenditures that increased on a per-unit production basis, such as labor and materials. Economies-of-scale production models meant that high-volume production reduced the contribution of the fi xed-cost portion of the cost equation, thus reducing the per-unit cost. Simply put, high throughput and effi ciency yielded higher profi ts ( Pine 1993 ). Today we are entering an era many believe will be as disruptive to the manufacturing sector as the Industrial Revolution was—the age of 3D printing and the digital tools that support it ( Koten 2013 ). At a EuroMold fair in November 2012, 3D Systems used one of its 3D printers to print a hammer. The Economist (2012) used this example to compare the traditional supply chain design-build-deliver model with the emerging 3D printing model:

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... Among digital technologies, 3-D printing is deemed as an enabler for designing innovative business models [62], [63], [64], [65], [66], e.g., by reshaping either the organization of manufacturing or the ways through which a company captures value [27], [67], [68]. Accordingly, this technology is deserving a particular attention by scholars and practitioners in relation to the design of circular business models [13], [25]. ...
... Fab-spaces also include those that provide access to digital manufacturing technologies remotely via Internet platforms such as Shapeways or i.materialise [112]" [113, p. 3]. Hence, companies exploiting 3-D printing can leverage different communication points to communicate the circular value and help customers understand the circular approach [65]. c) Offering the right value to the right customers: The on-demand and local production feature of 3-D printing, together with that of small-scale and customized production, may prompt companies to shift their business models from manufacturer-centric to consumer-centric [89] with significant consumer involvement in production and value-adding activities [68]. ...
Article
Circular economy has gained much interest over the last decade as an industrial approach aimed at overcoming the traditional “take-make-dispose” economic model. Several studies argue that the implementation of circular economy principles by companies may require them to design a circular business model. Designing a circular business model implies the adoption of managerial practices that address the business model dimensions of value creation, value transfer, and value capture. Existing research highlights that such practices can be adopted by exploiting digital technologies such as 3-D printing. Moreover, earlier scholarly research shows that the ability of a digital technology such as 3-D printing to enable a specific managerial practice depends upon its features. However, a full understanding of the role that 3-D printing can play in enabling the adoption of these managerial practices—by leveraging its peculiar features—is still lacking. Therefore, in this article, we aim to investigate the relationship between 3-D printing features and managerial practices for circular business model design. To this aim, an interactive and interpretive research approach inspired by the design research methodology has been carried out. Leveraging such an approach, this article proposes a novel framework linking the 3-D printing features to the managerial practices that can be adopted in each business model dimension. The framework has been developed and validated through an application case conducted with a company operating in the manufacturing industry.
... Companies based on economies of scale will still support commodity and high-volume production, but AM will become a viable and competitive option in cases where end-user customization is highly desirable, a production is a single unit or very small volume, or the end product requires features that cannot be manufactured by traditional means [Petrick & Simpson 2013]. The competitive nature of 21st-century markets requires the continuing enhancement of existing products, and AM is crucial to the fourth industrial revolution [Kantaros, Piromalis, Tsaramirsis, Papageorgas & Tamimi 2021]. ...
... The competitive nature of 21st-century markets requires the continuing enhancement of existing products, and AM is crucial to the fourth industrial revolution [Kantaros, Piromalis, Tsaramirsis, Papageorgas & Tamimi 2021]. Therefore, AM can be implemented in various industries to leverage its significant advantages for [Petrick & Simpson 2013], maximizing profitability, including aerospace [Joshi & Sheikh 2015], automotive industry [B.A & Buradi 2022b], food manufacturing, which is commonly referred to as "3D food printing" [Liu, Meng, Dai, Chen & Zhu 2018], healthcare [Dodziuk 2016], construction [Tay, Panda, Paul, Noor Mohamed, Tan, & Leong 2017], fashion industry [Vanderploeg, Lee & Mamp 2016], education [Ford & Minshall 2019], etc,. According to previous research, AM offers a variety of positive aspects for comparison with the traditional methods, especially in manufacturing sectors. ...
Article
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Digital transformation, modern technologies to enable autonomous production capabilities, and smart logistical systems are prerequisite strategies to gain competitive advantages in developing countries. Additive manufacturing (AM) or three-dimensional printing offering more significant advantages, can manufacture complex geometries of products with various materials. AM plays a main role in reducing the number of parts, helping reduce and eliminate assembly time and cost. However, the application is still limited, especially in developing countries like Vietnam. This research paper aims to identify and assess the challenges associated with applying additive manufacturing in Southeast Vietnam. This study is conducted in three phases. Step one identifies challenges by reviewing previous studies. Step two applies semi-structured interviews with experts to consolidate these challenges to build a multi-level hierarchical structure of challenges. The third stage is to use a multi-hierarchical process method to rank these issues in order to organize the necessary resources for a successful response. The results show that there are five main challenges and 25 sub-challenges in implementing additive printing technology. Using the Average AHP method, financial and strategic challenges are ranked first and second significant, respectively. This paper contributes by identification of Additive Manufacturing implementation challenges based on the literature review and semi-structured interview with the experts. It provides an assessment of the challenges to help the practitioners robust the addictive manufacturing implementation in the manufacturing industry in Vietnam with limited resources.
... • Непрекъснато променящ се набор от конкуренти Източник: (Berman, 2012;Chen, et al., 2015;Ford & Despeisse, 2016;Huang, Liu, Mokasdar, & Hou, 2013;Petrick & Simpson, 2013;Petrovic, et al., 2011) Широкото навлизане на АМ поставя предизвикателства и пред счетоводството. Интерес представляват организацията на отчитане на разходите за производство, избора на подходи, системи и методи на калкулиране на себестойността на продукцията, структурна реорганизация на дейността във връзка с реализирането на АМ (изграждане на центрове на отговорност, в т.ч. ...
Conference Paper
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The report focuses on important aspects of additive manufacturing and how they are reflected in accounting. The innovative method provides new opportunities, but also creates challenges for the business. The challenges facing accounting are outlined, drawing attention to the need to adapt accounting processes to the new realities of production. The necessity of building a model for accounting the costs of production of products through additive manufacturing is emphasized.
... The architect's notable works, such as the 2013 'Digital Grotesque' series and the 2024-ending 'White Tower' series, stand as a testament to the profound influence of digital fabrication in generating previously unimaginable architectural concepts [18] and [25]. By significantly reducing waste, these projects demonstrate how additive printing empowers architects to push the boundaries of design, highlighting its pivotal role in fostering more environmentally conscious building practices [21]. ...
Article
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This study examines how 3D printing and computational design alter traditional architecture, focusing mainly on Michael Hansmeyer’s architectural concepts. The study’s main challenge is understanding how digital technologies have changed architectural practices. This study aims to clarify how additive manufacturing and algorithmic design can revolutionize traditional construction methods and architectural design concepts. This study’s foundation was a thorough examination of scholarly journals, books, and conference proceedings that discuss the intersection of 3D printing and computational design in the architectural discipline. However, the study’s distinctive significance comes from the interview with Hansmeyer rather than analyzing the body of previous material. The study’s objectives include promoting sustainable practices, enabling customization, and increasing design complexity. This study aims to forecast the future role of digital fabrication in architecture, highlight the reinvention of architectural education, and push the creative frontiers of the field.
... It has the effect of reducing structural and managerial complexity in SCM [74]. It ensures that existing understandings and methods regarding logistics operations and inventory decisions are questioned, and inefficiencies are eliminated [75,76]. It boosts collaboration with both customers and companies [77]. ...
Article
The Fourth Industrial Revolution is the conversion of industries, economies, and so supply chains by a fusion related to technological, business, and social disruptive forces. The disruptive forces that cause the conversion discourse are the technologies it has enabled. This industrial revolution has a crucial impact on all industries, especially the manufacturing industry, and this effect sustains exponentially. The utilisation of The Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies and the digital transformation of supply chains is a pivotal step today towards enhancing their competitiveness and their supply chain performance and being able to follow the supply chains of the future. However, implementing them alone is not enough; new ways to get the most benefit from them must be inquired. The combined utilisation of certain industrial revolution technologies boosts their efficiency and their contributions to companies and supply chains. This study investigated the correlational relationships of the eight most used The Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies in the supply chain context and determined the technologies with the highest relationship with each other and called them intertwined technologies. The sample size consists of 393 companies. The study is a guide for companies and supply chains that will implement these technologies or invest in a novel one.
... It has the effect of reducing structural and managerial complexity in SCM [74]. It ensures that existing understandings and methods regarding logistics operations and inventory decisions are questioned, and inefficiencies are eliminated [75,76]. It boosts collaboration with both customers and companies [77]. ...
Article
Full-text available
The Fourth Industrial Revolution is the conversion of industries, economies, and so supply chains by a fusion related to technological, business, and social disruptive forces. The disruptive forces that cause the conversion discourse are the technologies it has enabled. This industrial revolution has a crucial impact on all industries, especially the manufacturing industry, and this effect sustains exponentially. The utilisation of The Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies and the digital transformation of supply chains is a pivotal step today towards enhancing their competitiveness and their supply chain performance and being able to follow the supply chains of the future. However, implementing them alone is not enough; new ways to get the most benefit from them must be inquired. The combined utilisation of certain industrial revolution technologies boosts their efficiency and their contributions to companies and supply chains. This study investigated the correlational relationships of the eight most used The Fourth Industrial Revolution technologies in the supply chain context and determined the technologies with the highest relationship with each other and called them intertwined technologies. The sample size consists of 393 companies. The study is a guide for companies and supply chains that will implement these technologies or invest in a novel one.
... With the rise of digitalization and automation facilitated by Industry 4.0 enabling technologies such as additive manufacturing technology (AMT), internet of things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), big data analytics (BDA), cybersecurity, and cloud computing, SC capabilities have improved, rendering them better equipped to address supply chain risks (SCRs) (Ivanov & Dolgui, 2020;Friedrich et al., 2022;Singh et al., 2023bSingh et al., , 2023. AMT is a cutting-edge computer technology capable of digitizing SCs and producing objects layer-by-layer using 3D computer-aided design (CAD) software and models (Kurpjuweit et al., 2021;Petrick & Simpson, 2013;Verboeket & Krikke, 2019). ...
Article
Full-text available
Modern supply chains face multifaceted risks due to their intricate nature, often leading to disruptions that ripple across the entire chain. However, in the era of Industry 4.0, innovative technologies such as additive manufacturing technology (AMT) promise to enhance supply chain sustainability and address environmental concerns. This study investigates the potential of AMT in mitigating supply chain risks (SCRs) through a comprehensive risk assessment framework employing the best‐worst method (BWM). Our analysis encompasses 14 SCRs grouped into four SCR categories. Analysis of the outcome reveals that AMT adoption has the most significant impact in addressing risks related to lead time fluctuations, waste generation, supplier dependency, inventory‐related risks, and logistics‐related risks. Notably, the adoption of AMT emerges as a robust strategy, significantly impacting these critical risk areas, thereby aligning with the principles of supply chain sustainability, strategic environmental management, and fostering innovation in green technologies. The implications of this study offer invaluable insights for researchers and practitioners, emphasizing the pivotal role of AMT in addressing environmental risks and promoting sustainable supply chain practices. By understanding and leveraging the potential of AMT, businesses can strategically navigate supply chain challenges while embracing environmentally conscious approaches, driving positive impacts across industries.
... The technology might adversely affect the economy of countries that rely heavily on low-skilled workforce and labor-intensive industries (Hossain et al., 2020;Shahrubudin et al., 2019). On the other hand, a number of studies have pointed out that the technology will foster innovative design for end-user customization, as it will reduce cost barriers that exist in conventional manufacturing systems (Aimar et al., 2019;Petrick and Simpson, 2013;Shahrubudin et al., 2019;Wu et al., 2016). 3D printing technology could change the traditional global value chain and production houses could be geographically localized, hence reducing transportation costs and import barriers (Birtchnell et al., 2020;Braziotis et al., 2019;Laplume et al., 2016). ...
Article
Purpose This study aims to identify research trends and technological evolution in the polymer three-dimensional (3D) printing process that can effectively identify the direction of technological advancement and progress of acceptance in both society and key manufacturing industries. Design/methodology/approach The Scopus database was used to collect data on polymer 3D printing papers. This study uses bibliometric approach along with network analytic techniques to identify and discuss the most important countries and their scientific collaboration, compares income groups and analyses keyword trends. Findings It was found that top research production results from heavy investments in research and development. The USA has the highest number of papers among the high-income countries. However, scientific production in the other two income groups is strongly dominated by China and India. Keyword analysis shows that countries with lower incomes in certain areas, such as composite and bioprinting, have fallen behind other groups over time. International collaborations were suggested as mechanisms for those countries to catch up with the current research trends. The evolution of the research field, which started with a focus on 3D printing processes and shifted to printed part designs and their applications, was discussed. The advancement of the research topic suggests that translational research on polymer 3D printing has been led mainly by research production from higher-income countries and countries with large research and development investments. Originality/value Previous studies have conducted performance analysis, science mapping and network analysis in the field of 3D printing, but none have focused on global research trends classified by country income. This study has conducted a bibliometric analysis and compared the outputs according to various income levels according to the World Bank classification.
... Many factors should be taken into consideration when selecting a manufacturing method, including cost, time, energy consumption, product complexity, material usage, material properties requirements, sustainability, and many more. Thus, automated, or semi-automated optimisation based on artificial intelligence is often used to meet these requirements [20][21][22]. Despite recent developments in automated and semi-automated AI-based optimisation of 3D printing processes, especially for Industry 4.0 purposes, they are still at the beginning of their development [23,24]. ...
... Conversely, lower PDN values may lead to better material utilization as less material is required to achieve the desired part geometry. Efficient material utilization is essential in reducing costs and minimizing waste in additive manufacturing [37][38][39]. Thus, it is important to note that the obtained relationship (refer to Eq. (15)) between PDN and the three response variables (impact strength, print time, and material utilization) may not be linear and also can vary further depending on the specific 3D printing technology and complexity of the object. ...
Article
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Thermoplastic materials such as Polylactic acid, Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene, Polyethylene terephthalate glycol, Nylon, and Thermoplastic polyurethane are favoured in Fused deposition modeling 3D printing due to their cost-effectiveness and versatile properties. However, with the introduction of high grade thermoplastic material poses compatibility challenges with existing machines and processes, impeding widespread adoption in FDM 3D printing. Incorporating new materials into 3D printing requires adjustments to hardware, software, and settings, leading to potential expenses and time investments. Maintaining quality control and consistency becomes complex as each material demands specific parameters and processing conditions. This variability hinders achieving consistent part quality in 3D printing. Moreover, achieving optimal FDM parameters for high-grade polymers (HGPs) like Polyether ether ketone (PEEK) is a challenge due to the distinctive nature of the property, requiring specialized careful considerations during its optimization process. The considerable thermal gradient and heat distribution during printing can lead to residual stresses and deformations, significantly affecting the quality and, in particular, its impact strength. This article optimizes an industry grade 3D printing PEEK based on the limited number of process parameters, namely, build orientation, in-fill density and chamber temperature. Further, the research tries to derive a predictive model for Impact Strength (IS), which is an important consideration for the 3D printed object. In this article, along with the Impact Strength, Printing Time and Material Usage are also studied to find empirical evidence of association between these output variables or response variables. The result indicates that there is a positive significant correlation or association between them. When utilizing a specific parameter setup, the resulting IS of 86.5 kJ/m², a print time of 89 minutes, and a material usage of 3.26 grams are achieved. Notably, there is a measurable reduction of 9.18% in printing time and a 11.66% decrease in material usage when the print density is set to 100% to optimize impact strength. This optimization approach proves the use of composite desirability is a better approach where multiple objectives need to be achieved. The proposed regression model predicts the impact strength with coefficient of determination value more than 50%.
... Also, the thing will be completed by assembling each of these components. Moreover, physical efort will be required throughout the procedure [84]. ...
Article
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3D printing (additive manufacturing) is one of the revolutionary technologies that are transforming manufacturing and industrial processes. Additive manufacturing (AM) technology is being used for extensive customization and production of all types of open-source designs in farming, medical, automotive, locomotive, aerospace, and construction industries. The advantages of 3D printing for industrial applications include little material waste, simple production, minimal human participation, minimal postprocessing, and energy efficiency. There are limited articles on the scope and future possibilities of AM technologies. This article explains numerous AM techniques, uses for technology, and substances used in the manufacturing firm. The numerous materials that may be used with every type of 3D printing process are explained in depth. The numerous settings whereby every processor kind is used are also listed in the study. The original study findings indicate that, while 3D printing technology has made great advances, there are still challenges that need to be addressed; however, the obstacles appear to vary: the cost of preprocessing and postprocessing, a restricted selection of materials, and technological constraints are the most significant 3D printing challenges. Readers will be benefitted from the new dimension added by explanation of the many aspects of additive manufacturing and the identification of potential new research fields in this review. The processes may be enhanced and modified to operate with a range of materials through further research, whereas if the range of applications for 3D printing technology components is to be increased, more effort should be made into developing economical printing procedures and supplies that function with these printers.
... Nevertheless, 3D printing alone is not usually able to make components exactly according to the CAD software models because of the relatively lower fabrication precision when compared to machined parts. Thus, posttreatment processes like milling are commonly adopted for 3D-printed parts to achieve higher accuracy and precision [7]. Therefore, an HM platform equipped with both 3D printing and machining can realize high material utilization rates and competitive surface quality. ...
Article
Full-text available
Wire arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) has received increasing use in 3D printing because of its high deposition rates suitable for components with large and complex geometries. However, the lower forming accuracy of WAAM than other metal additive manufacturing methods has imposed limitations on manufacturing components with high precision. To resolve this issue, we herein implemented the hybrid manufacturing (HM) technique, which integrated WAAM and subtractive manufacturing (via a milling process), to attain high forming accuracy while taking advantage of both WAAM and the milling process. We describe in this paper the design of a robot-based HM platform in which the WAAM and CNC milling are integrated using two robotic arms: one for WAAM and the other for milling immediately following WAAM. The HM was demonstrated with a thin-walled aluminum 5356 component, which was inspected by X-ray micro-computed tomography (μCT) for porosity visualization. The temperature and cutting forces in the component under milling were acquired for analysis. The surface roughness of the aluminum component was measured to assess the surface quality. In addition, tensile specimens were cut from the components using wire electrical discharge machining (WEDM) for mechanical testing. Both machining quality and mechanical properties were found satisfactory; thus the robot-based HM platform was shown to be suitable for manufacturing high-quality aluminum parts.
... E-commerce platforms, advanced data analytics, and real-time tracking systems facilitated efficient inventory management, order fulfillment, and final-mile delivery. The emergence of 3D printing holds the potential to disrupt conventional supply chains by enabling localized production and customization (Petrick & Simpson, 2013). e) Reshoring and Nearshoring: Contemporary supply chain management trends encompass strategies such as reshoring and nearshoring. ...
Article
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This research paper explores the relationship between historical trade dynamics, emerging materials technologies, and their contemporary impacts on international trade. Through a series of case studies and comprehensive analyses, the paper highlights how innovation in materials science has historically shaped trade patterns, industries, and economies. It investigates the role of innovation ecosystems, research collaboration, and intellectual property rights in influencing trade dynamics. Furthermore, the paper discusses the effects of emerging materials technologies on various sectors, including manufacturing, electronics, renewable energy, healthcare, and more. It examines the case of the United States, its policies, initiatives, challenges, and successes in adopting these technologies. The paper forecasts future trends in emerging materials technologies, emphasizing their implications for international trade relationships and supply chains. It addresses challenges such as regulatory frameworks, ethical considerations, and geopolitical factors that may impact the diffusion of these technologies globally. The paper concludes by stressing the significance of understanding historical trade dynamics and contemporary impacts. It suggests implications for officials, industry stakeholders, and future research directions. Ultimately, it underscores the critical role of emerging materials technologies in shaping the trade landscape, fostering economic growth, and contributing to sustainable development in an interconnected world. Keywords: Historical Trade Dynamics, Emerging Materials Technologies, International Trade, Innovation Ecosystems, Research Collaboration, Intellectual Property Rights, Industry Sectors.
... The last two decades were marked by an unprecedented expansion of 3D printing [1][2][3] . In this technology, the processed material is consecutively deposited in thin layers, which ultimately creates the final shape of the built object. ...
Article
3D printing is an extensively used manufacturing technique that can pose specific health concerns due to the emission of volatile organic compounds (VOC). Herein, a detailed characterization of 3D printing-related VOC using solid-phase microextraction-gas chromatography/mass spectrometry (SPME-GC/MS) is described for the first time. The VOC were extracted in dynamic mode during the printing from the acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylate filament in an environmental chamber. The effect of extraction time on the extraction efficiency of 16 main VOC was studied for four different commercial SPME arrows. The volatile and semivolatile compounds were the most effectively extracted by carbon wide range-containing and polydimethyl siloxane arrows, respectively. The differences in extraction efficiency between arrows were further correlated to the molecular volume, octanol-water partition coefficient, and vapour pressure of observed VOC. The repeatability of SPME arrows towards the main VOC was assessed from static mode measurements of filament in headspace vials. In addition, we performed a group analysis of 57 VOC classified into 15 categories according to their chemical structure. Divinylbenzene-polydimethyl siloxane arrow turned out to be a good compromise between the total extracted amount and its distribution among tested VOC. Thus, this arrow was used to demonstrate the usefulness of SPME for the qualification of VOC emitted during printing in a real-life environment. A presented methodology can serve as a fast and reliable method for the qualification and semi-quantification of 3D printing-related VOC.
... Contrary to the resource-based view, however, the dynamic capability view motivates managers to strategically appraise whether investing in such resources can help the company gain a sustainable competitive advantage and grow over time in today's dynamic supply chains that are constantly under resource pressures (Kalaitzi et al. 2019). We draw on the dynamic capability view to explore the potential competitive advantages and barriers that additive manufacturing technology can prompt for different companies (Petrick and Simpson 2013), particularly in the context of spare parts supply chain management. ...
Article
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Given the ongoing advancements in additive manufacturing (3D printing), many companies are considering using this digital technology for the supply of spare parts. This study identifies the advantages and barriers of additive manufacturing in the context of spare parts supply chain management. The case study examines the perspectives of a manufacturer and a customer of a spare parts supply chain. We present several questions that practitioners can use to (re)consider additive manufacturing for their companies.
... AM had a remarkable contribution within the medical field, especially regarding prosthetics (bone and cartilage replacements), dental implants, hearing aids, and other products, as shown in Figure 3 [11][12][13][14]. ...
Article
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Citation: Naciri, L.; Gallab, M.; Soulhi, A.; Merzouk, S.; Di Nardo, M. Digital Technologies' Risks and Opportunities: Case Study of an RFID System. Appl. Syst. Innov. 2023, 6, 54. https://doi.org/10.3390/ asi6030054 Academic Editors: Abstract: Smart technologies have been the subject of a growing interest for the past few years due to the growing market demand. They are believed to improve human life, existence, and companies' performance. Considering the recent advances, X.0 concept has proven to be a mindset changing so that companies can now see that they can improve their competitiveness, ensure an innovative, sustainable and resilient environment, and smarten and develop their lean manufacturing tools. Nevertheless, if X.0 adoption is still not at its highest level, it is because of the relevant challenges and difficulties that occur during the implementation process. Within this scope, this paper aims, through a systematic literature review, to identify risks and opportunities of X.0 technologies to constitute a referential to be taken into consideration for a successful implementation. Results are validated by the modelling and simulation of an RFID system applied within the automotive industry, for which we identified risks and opportunities from one side and the system contribution in terms of smart Lean Manufacturing. From one hand, the value added of this paper, on the contrary of previous researches, is mainly regrouping risks and opportunities of most relevant digital technologies to conclude on those of X.0 revolution as a concept as described in following sections. From another hand, we were able to prove, through a real case study, that X.0 concept directly contribute in smartening and improving lean manufacturing principles.
... Customization of production (Chen and Lin, 2016;Strange and Zucchella, 2017;Hannibal and Knight, 2018;Hannibal, 2020;Singh and Agrawal, 2021) Mass customization ( Mohr and Khan, 2015) Complexity reduction and easy to create complex objects (Mohr and Khan, 2015;Piller et al., 2015;Chen and Lin, 2016) Economies of one (Petrick and Simpson, 2013;Chan et al., 2018) Need of fast production (i.e., prototypes, spare parts) ( AM service providers as a response to AM challenges (Piller et al., 2015;Rogers et al., 2018) Source: Own elaboration (Mehrpouya et al., 2019;Nadagouda et al., 2020;Rossi et al., 2019). Studies in this sub-group highlight the positive effects of AM on lowincome countries, such as offering a faster and cheaper way to build housing (Aghimien et al., 2021). ...
... Such systems, however, can be developed in-house by retrofitting a 3D printer for PTT applications. Due to their low cost, 3D printers are available to the general population, democratizing the tool for common use in personal and laboratory settings [75][76][77][78]. Both the software and hardware components of a 3D printer are retrofittable for the users' applications. ...
Article
Full-text available
Graphene-based materials have been the subject of interest for photothermal therapy due to their high light-to-heat conversion efficiency. Based on recent studies, graphene quantum dots (GQDs) are expected to possess advantageous photothermal properties and facilitate fluorescence image-tracking in the visible and near-infrared (NIR), while surpassing other graphene-based materials in their biocompatibility. Several GQD structures including reduced graphene quantum dots (RGQDs) derived from reduced graphene oxide via top-down oxidation and hyaluronic acid graphene quantum dots (HGQDs) hydrothermally bottom-up synthesized from molecular hyaluronic acid were employed to test these capabilities in the present work. These GQDs possess substantial NIR absorption and fluorescence throughout the visible and NIR beneficial for in vivo imaging while being biocompatible at up to 1.7 mg/mL concentrations. In aqueous suspensions, RGQDs and HGQDs irradiated with a low power (0.9 W/cm2) 808 nm NIR laser facilitate a temperature increase up to 47.0 °C, which is sufficient for cancer tumor ablation. In vitro photothermal experiments sampling multiple conditions directly in the 96-well plate were performed using an automated simultaneous irradiation/measurement system developed on the basis of a 3D printer. In this study, HGQDs and RGQDs facilitated the heating of HeLa cancer cells up to 54.5 °C, leading to the drastic inhibition of cell viability from over 80% down to 22.9%. GQD’s fluorescence in the visible and NIR traces their successful internalization into HeLa cells maximized at 20 h suggesting both extracellular and intracellular photothermal treatment capabilities. The combination of the photothermal and imaging modalities tested in vitro makes the GQDs developed in this work prospective agents for cancer theragnostics.
... Characteristics and principles of AM processes for each category, adapted from [5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13]. [14][15][16][17][18][19][20]). ...
Article
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The global market for Additive Manufacturing (AM) is expected to grow, which may increase the prominence of sustainability aspects in the manufacturing process. A growing number of AM academics and practitioners have started to pay attention to the environmental and societal impacts of AM instead of only focusing on its economic aspect. Yet, AM is still not widely adopted, and the research on AM sustainability is still at the nascent stage. This paper aims to better understand AM’s sustainable adoption and seeks to address three questions: what the sustainability implications of AM are; what challenges may prevent the broad adoption of AM; and what opportunities can enable AM sustainability. The research adopts a multiple case study method to investigate six AM companies that play different roles in the AM ecosystem, including AM design, AM machine, AM material, AM service, AM education, and AM consulting. The results from these studies reveal that AM has the potential to reduce environmental and social impacts; however, it might also cause negative consequences and lead to some rebound effects. We identified 43 categories (synthesized from 199 examples) of key challenges for AM adoption and proposed 55 key solutions in moving AM towards sustainability. It is evident that AM acts as a promising digital technology for manufacturing and has the potential to pave the way for a new era of sustainable manufacturing.
... NC is a mature processing technology that achieves high precision using a wide range of materials and can be used to directly process almost all commonly used stomatological materials. In addition, NC is the first choice for batch fabrication (Petrick and Simpson, 2015); however, the disadvantages of NC include the material waste associated with this technology, which leads to high production costs. Moreover, particularly complex dental auxiliary therapy devices (such as root-analogue implants, personalized titanium meshes, etc.) are difficult to achieve using NC (Dawood et al., 2015). ...
Article
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Additive manufacturing (AM) technologies can enable the direct fabrication of customized physical objects with complex shapes, based on computer-aided design models. This technology is changing the digital manufacturing industry and has become a subject of considerable interest in digital implant dentistry. Personalized dentistry implant treatments for individual patients can be achieved through Additive manufacturing. Herein, we review the applications of Additive manufacturing technologies in oral implantology, including implant surgery, and implant and restoration products, such as surgical guides for implantation, custom titanium meshes for bone augmentation, personalized or non-personalized dental implants, custom trays, implant casts, and implant-support frameworks, among others. In addition, this review also focuses on Additive manufacturing technologies commonly used in oral implantology. Stereolithography, digital light processing, and fused deposition modeling are often used to construct surgical guides and implant casts, whereas direct metal laser sintering, selective laser melting, and electron beam melting can be applied to fabricate dental implants, personalized titanium meshes, and denture frameworks. Moreover, it is sometimes required to combine Additive manufacturing technology with milling and other cutting and finishing techniques to ensure that the product is suitable for its final application.
... This technology can also improve supply chain models due to its quick delivery time, flexibility, optimal resource usage, and overall process efficiency. Depending on specific business natures, 3D printing can be used as an alternative or supplementary supply chain method to produce parts in small batches with a "made to order" concept that allows companies to mitigate carrying high inventory levels and reduce transportation costs and further from an overall perspective, supply chain complexity could be significantly reduced (Janssen et al., 2014;Petrick & Simpson, 2013). ...
Article
3D printing is a process used to fabricate three-dimensional objects based on the digitally controlled deposition of successive layers of material until a final structure is created. This research presents a case study in which two models were built to estimate the operation cost of a spare parts business for an appliance manufacturing company: a base model and an alternate benchmark model in which spare parts are supplied by the traditional manufacturing method or 3D printing. With the developed models, this research compares the total inventory cost of ownership and the number of suppliers for two supply chain management scenarios. Further, a third model (hybrid cost model) was established where spare parts are supplied partially by traditional manufacturing and partially by 3D printing according to maximize cost savings. The cost analysis from the three models concludes that the mixed model shows the best outcome for simplifying supply management complexity and ultimately reducing total cost of spare parts inventory. This case study can help appliance industries to assess and decide if 3D printing is a feasible production method for spare parts in terms of supply chain management strategy.
... AM processes have enjoyed a recent surge in popularity, but have not developed to the point of competing with more conventional manufacturing methods (Petrick & Simpson, 2015). The enhanced design and manufacturing possibilities provided by AM serve as a motive for developing the surrounding technologies such that they may one day compete. ...
Thesis
Full-text available
Designing electronic control systems specific to additive manufacturing machines is a fast evolving practice, developments in which spur continual performance improvements, which in turn improve the quality and economic viability of parts produced (Hu & Kovacevic, 2003). Research methods used for this work comprise of; taking receipt of externally designed and built experimental rigs, recording performance data and making incremental changes in attempts to improve performance. Focus is given to the automation and speed of the processes and research is limited only by the availability of time and funding. This work has investigated several potential significant improvements to SLS cycle times and part quality, with the wider project continuing beyond the scope of this dissertation. Experimentation with serial data transmission protocols using ASCII (American Standard Code for Information Interchange) found it could provide a fast, robust link between central control system elements, which is critical and can be achieved this way without great monetary cost. Distribution of temperature across the build area surface can be optimised with a single control feedback loop to a level acceptable for the use of PA-12 (Polyamide 12) powder, though methods that are more complex may yield better results. Rapid deoxygenation of the build chamber at the beginning of each build cycle offers a slight improvement in cycle time, and proper loop feedback can assist in mitigating safety concerns. Current, commercially available stepper motor control systems are capable of greater accuracy than is necessary in such applications but are limited by the accuracy of their mechanical linkage, which can introduce significant backlash into the system. Powder can be loaded into the machine using augers fed from an external hopper in such a way as to minimise powder waste through uneven feeding. Separating power systems allows individual control of sections of the machine, improving safety, monitoring possibilities and potential for recovering failed builds. A removable build platform, comprising the build piston and associated hardware on a movable trolley frame, significantly reduces the machine cycle time by allowing part removal and cleaning to be performed concurrently with the start of the next build. Visibility of the process status via beacon stacks allows for quick human interaction where required, potentially reducing failure rates and improving cycle times.
... Intellectual Property (IP) appreciates creative intellects of individuals and though considered intangible; its significance has grown with a paradigm shift in favour of intangible assets over tangible assets from 17% to 84% over 1975-2015(Ocean Tomo 2017. Nevertheless, there have been ongoing concerns about the impact of AM on existing IP and SC structures, due to AM's ability to elude IP constraints built into conventional manufacturing methods and the possibility of uncontrollable digitally distribution (Petrick andSimpson 2013, Hornick 2015). Gartner's prediction for over $100bn losses from AM use in SCs due to IP compromise by 2018, gave credibility to this concern (Hornick 2015, Anusci 2018). ...
Article
Full-text available
Additive manufacturing underpins Industry 4.0 and is often identified as having potential applications in replacement part supply chains; however, it also introduces complex challenges for existing governance structures, especially those linked to intellectual property security concerns. This paper quantitatively surveyed views of experts in management, engineering, and academic roles about their concerns regarding intellectual property security of additive manufacturing applications in replacement part supply chains. The findings reveal that despite the often-cited benefits there remain significant concerns about this technology's application from management and security perspectives within the Industry 4.0 era.
Article
Metal additive manufacturing (AM), particularly Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF), has emerged as a promising technology for rapidly producing intricate parts while minimizing material waste. However, the widespread adoption of AM has been hindered by the lack of adequate quality control measures. To address this challenge, a large number of machine learning (ML) applications have been proposed to improve the quality and productivity of AM processes. This study proposes the Lean concept as a guiding framework for classifying ML applications according to the Lean principles they support. Through a comprehensive review of literature studies, the research demonstrates the efficacy of this holistic approach, emphasizing ML's contributions to the Lean principles and the derived benefits to refine metal AM practices, improve efficiency, foster continuous improvement in LPBF, and finally bring value to the customer. The obtained results are particularly important for manufacturing engineers, quality control specialists, and decision-makers in the AM industry, as they provide actionable insights for enhancing process reliability, reducing waste, and achieving higher productivity.
Article
Motivated by the dynamic capability view of the firm toward technology adoption, in this study, a systematic search and critical review of the literature is performed to explain how additive manufacturing (AM), more commonly known as 3D printing, affects different dimensions of supply chain agility (SCA), subsequently influencing the macro-level Supply Chain Operations Reference (SCOR) model processes, namely, Plan, Source, Make, Deliver, and Enable. Based on the findings, a comprehensive framework is developed outlining the adoption features and barriers of AM technology that affect different SCA dimensions and macro-level SCOR processes. Hence, this macro-level framework promotes strategy analysis for improving SCA and top-level supply chain management (SCM) processes through AM technology adoption. Moreover, propositions are put forward that can be tested empirically and refined contextually by future research. Finally, directions for future research are identified to further investigate the subject matter.
Article
L’industrie 4.0, en général, et la fabrication numérique, en particulier, sont vues comme des facteurs de reconfigurations radicales des chaînes de valeur, menaçant les acteurs qui y sont établis de longue date. Cette recherche vise à éclairer un aspect particulier de ce phénomène : quelles reconfigurations de la chaîne de valeur – et quelle désintermédiation des fournisseurs traditionnels – peuvent résulter de l’introduction de la fabrication numérique dans l’industrie des prothèses dentaires, et quels facteurs peuvent expliquer le maintien de ces fournisseurs dans les chaînes de valeur reconfigurées. Parce que la question est très complexe, impliquant de nombreux problèmes qui pourraient entraver ce passage à un nouveau paradigme de production, notre recherche s’est concentrée sur un «cas idéal» – l’industrie des prothèses dentaires – où les circonstances semblent particulièrement favorables à un tel changement. Nos résultats montrent que la transformation qui a lieu est loin d’être simple. En particulier, nous montrons que la fabrication numérique conduit à l’émergence de diverses chaînes de valeur, avec un impact variable sur les positions des fournisseurs en place. Nous mettons également en lumière divers facteurs (investissement, transformation des processus et des organisations, questions de rentabilité, ressources et capacités, économies d’échelle) et leurs effets sur l’émergence (ou la non-émergence) de différentes chaînes de valeur avec les impacts associés. La rentabilité de l’internalisation de la fabrication numérique par les acteurs en aval, par rapport à leurs activités habituelles, apparaît notamment comme une limite structurelle à l’internalisation et protège ainsi la position du fournisseur. Nos observations font également apparaître que, contrairement à ce que suggèrent des recherches précédentes, les économies d’échelle affectent la rentabilité de la fabrication numérique et affectent donc l’impact de la fabrication numérique sur les positions stratégiques des fournisseurs. Ces résultats apportent de nouvelles perspectives à la littérature sur la fabrication numérique et son impact sur les chaînes de valeur et les positions des fournisseurs. Les facteurs que nous identifions devraient être pris en compte de manière plus systématique dans les recherches sur cette question.
Article
Full-text available
A novel design method based on a novel origami process that can create a solid structure swiftly and at a low cost is presented for rectangular waveguide-type microwave devices in this paper. A planar structure was fabricated by the lamination and laser cutting of polystyrene membranes and aluminum foils and was converted into a solid structure via origami in accordance with the selective absorption of infrared light. A rectangular waveguide, a rectangular waveguide-type coupler, and a power divider based on an origami structure with a multi-layer structure and a single-layer structure were fabricated and tested, demonstrating easy assembly and good microwave performance. The measured results of the rectangular waveguide indicated that the insertion loss was superior to −0.9 dB. Meanwhile, the results of the coupler showed that the coupling degree increased from −12.8 dB to −8.9 dB in the range of 11.0 GHz to 12.0 GHz. Correspondingly, the prepared power divider demonstrated that the return loss dwindled from −8.9 dB to −11.3 dB and that the insertion loss of one output port was approximate to that of the remaining one, varying between −3.5 dB and −5.2 dB in the range of 10.5 GHz to 11.5 GHz—verifying the effectiveness of the origami-based design method.
Chapter
Additive manufacturing, colloquially referred as 3D printing, is currently considered as an approaching mainstream adoption for highly flexible processing technology to be implemented by manufacturing industries. Moreover, additive manufacturing technology can be applied to design customized products without cost penalty and applied on any kind of plastic, metal, ceramic, concrete materials. Additionally, additive manufacturing facilitates the manufacture of complex and integrated functional designs in a single step, thereby potentially reducing the need of molds, shapes, and assembly work. Our findings show the five key principles relevant to manufacturing industries contributing to the economies of scale on incorporating to additive manufacturing technology. Furthermore, we have analyzed that once additive manufacturing technology is utilized at full capacity, no implications on increased volume on unit cost is found. In so doing, we have provided implications of additive manufacturing technology on profitable basis which provides motivation for future research. Meanwhile, it is seen that there is a demand for additive manufacturing in competitive markets as it reduces the barriers to market entry and paves a way to provide multiple markets at a single time. This ultimately result in lowering prices for the demand of consumers.
Article
Packaging in India comprises around 59% of total plastic consumption, with most of the waste originating from single‐use and short shelf‐life products. The plastic recycling industry is primarily made up of informal processing units which have predominantly been recycling Polyethylene terephthalate (PET) waste due to ease of availability, sorting, and higher upscale values than most other single‐use packaging. Other packaging, such as Polyethylene (PE) shopping bags, thin film and multi‐material packaging waste is either directed to downcycling, incineration or landfill. About 94% of total recycling in India is carried out through mechanical recycling, which comes through informal and fragmented recycling units. Most of the recycling units in India rely on rudimentary technologies. One example is a visual sorting system that involves manual handling to recycle plastic waste, which is resource and time intensive. There has been some advancement towards chemical and energy recovery techniques, but mostly been limited to pilot‐scale deployment. This article explores the existing and emerging technological options suitable for recycling post‐consumer flexible plastic packaging waste in India. It also discusses the status of multi‐material packaging waste, and the advancement being made for its recycling. The paper also explores India's increased momentum in the use of innovative recycling techniques, such as distributed recycling and manufacturing techniques and plastic waste in steel manufacturing. This article is categorized under: Climate and Environment > Ecosystem Services Climate and Environment > Circular Economy Emerging Technologies > Materials
Article
Purpose Increasingly 3D printing is used for parts of garments or for making whole garments due to their flexibility and comfort and for functionalizing or enhancing the aesthetics of the final garment and hence adding value. Many of these applications rely on complex programming of the 3D printer and are usually provided by the vendor company. This paper introduces a simpler, easier platform for designing 3D-printed textiles, garments and other artifacts, by predicting the optimal orientation of the target objects to minimize the use of plastic filaments. Design/methodology/approach The main idea is based on the shadow-casting analogy, which assumes that the volume of the support structure is similar to that of the shadow from virtual sunlight. The triangular elements of the target object are converted into 3D pixels with integer-based normal vectors and real-numbered coordinates via vertically sparse voxelization. The pixels are classified into several groups and their noise is suppressed using a specially designed noise-filtering algorithm called slot pairing. The final support structure volume information was rendered as a two-dimensional (2D) figure, similar to a medical X-ray image. Thus, the authors named their method modified support structure tomography. Findings The study algorithm showed an error range of no more than 1.6% with exact volumes and 6.8% with slicing software. Moreover, the calculation time is only several minutes for tens of thousands of mesh triangles. The algorithm was verified for several meshes, including the cone, sphere, Stanford bunny and human manikin. Originality/value Simple hardware, such as a CPU, embedded system, Arduino or Raspberry Pi, can be used. This requires much less computational resources compared with the conventional g-code generation. Also, the global and local support structure is represented both quantitatively and graphically via tomographs.
Article
For more than three decades, enthusiasts have predicted that direct manufacturing enabled by 3D printing would inevitably supplant traditional manufacturing methods. Alas, for nearly as long, these utopian predictions have failed to materialize. One reason is a flawed assumption that hybrid digital‐physical systems such as 3D printing would advance as rapidly as purely digital innovations enabled by Moore's law. Instead, like other examples of cyber‐physical systems (CPSs), technological progress in 3D printing faces inherent limitations that are emblematic of the differences between CPSs and purely digital innovations. As with any complex CPS, improved performance of a 3D printing system has been limited by that of its key components—the sort of limiting problem previously defined as a reverse salient. Unlike previously studied technologies, several reverse salients for 3D printing performance have neither resolved nor signs of resolving soon. Here we analyze these key reverse salients, and show how they have hampered the suitability of 3D printing for direct manufacturing and other predicted applications. We contrast predicted versus actual capabilities for 3D printing‐enabled transformation in six key areas: product innovation, mass customization, home fabrication, distributed manufacturing, supply chain optimization and business model innovation. From this, we suggest opportunities for greater realism in future 3D printing research, as well as broader implications for our understanding of CPSs and reverse salients.
Article
Scaffolds are implants commonly used to deliver cells, drugs, and genes into the body. Their regular porous structure ensures the proper support for cell attachment, proliferation, differentiated function, and migration. Techniques to fabricate a scaffold include leaching, freeze-drying, supercritical fluid technology, thermally induced phase separation, rapid prototyping, powder compaction, sol-gel, and melt molding. Gene delivery from the scaffold represents a versatile approach to influence the environment for managing cell function. Scaffolds can be used for various tissue engineering purposes, e.g. bone formation, periodontal regeneration, cartilage development, artificial corneas, heart valves, tendon repair, or ligament replacement. Moreover, they are also instrumental in cancer therapy, inflammation, diabetes, heart disease, and wound dressings. Scaffolds provide a platform to extend the delivery of drugs and genetic materials at a controlled timeframe, besides potentially being used to prevent infection upon surgery and other chronic diseases, provided that they can be formulated with specific medicines. This review discusses the need to design advanced functional scaffolds with the potential for modified drug delivery and tissue engineering in a synergistic approach. Special attention is given to works published in 2023 to generate the bibliometric map.
Article
Il presente saggio apre ripercorrendo le principali fasi storico-evolutive del rapporto tra innovazione tecnologica e lavoro, tipizzate nelle quattro rivoluzioni industriali, cercando di cogliere senso e modalità con cui la tecnologia tocca le nostre società e incide sulla loro articolazione per arrivare a delineare i futuri modelli in cui si integreranno Industry 5.0 e Society 5.0. Certi della portata trasformativa di carattere polanyiano (Seghezzi, 2017) del passaggio d'epoca che stiamo attraversando, poiché consapevoli dei mutamenti che le nuove tecnologie e la cultura che le governa apporteranno all'essenza del capitalismo dei prossimi anni e decenni, elevato diviene il rischio di identificare, in via deterministica e riduttiva (Negrelli e Pacetti, 2018), la quarta rivoluzione industriale unicamente come una naturale evoluzione di tendenze già in atto durante la lunga fase della società industriale o anche come nuovo paradigma tecnologico. Tale sguardo ermeneutico, se rimane fisso su tale unica linea o dimensione, non permette di cogliere gli elementi di rottura sui piani antropologico, sociale, economico ed etico-culturale che questo fenomeno emergente sta evidenziando e di conseguenza non consente di impostare linee di intervento e governo all'altezza delle sfide odierne e future (Zamagni, 2017).
Book
Additive Manufacturing of Biopolymers: Materials, Printing Techniques, and Applications describes various biopolymers that are currently used in additive manufacturing technologies and identifies the challenges/limitations in the materials and printing processes. The book provides basic knowledge and advanced details about 3D printing techniques and the applicable biopolymers as well as the latest updates on materials and techniques for 3D printing of biopolymers. Each chapter dedicates a section to future trends and perspectives in additive manufacturing of biopolymers from the use of biopolymers and new techniques point-of-view.
Chapter
Additive manufacturing (AM) is a terminology synonymous with 3D printing of materials for recreational purposes and more importantly for specialized applications in industry. The current popularity of AM attests to its utility not just as a versatile manufacturing option but one that also draws expertise from different disciplines. Alongside the advantages of freeform geometry, customization, automation, reduced waste, innovation, and opportunities, lie limitations to produce parts and products. To put into perspective, although AM processes are digitally controlled and hence can guarantee predictable outcomes for some materials, constraints within the process steps, technical feasibilities, cost, risks, and the lack of consensus are impediments for the general uptake of the technology. This book chapter explores some facets of this important subject by benchmarking AM against conventional manufacturing techniques. The benefits of design for AM are also discussed together with end-use applications, innovative potentials, and limitations of AM.
Article
Full-text available
Purpose Although additive manufacturing (AM; 3D printing/3DP) is presently in its infancy, once it becomes economically viable for mass production, it would revolutionize the operation and supply chain network of traditional businesses and manufacturing industries. To this end, approaches for ensuring a smooth transition of the economy, businesses, manufacturing centers and related services are being investigated. This review paper assesses the existing literature on the impact of AM on the maritime transportation sector. Design/methodology/approach This paper provides a systematic literature review through three methodological phases: (1) a comprehensive review of the number of English language literature studies published on the topics of AM or 3DP (1970–2021); (2) a bibliometric analysis of selected keyword combinations and (3) a detailed review on the impact of AM on different sectors. Findings The key findings are that existing studies do not attempt to forecast shipping volume and ton-miles that can be affected by the mainstreaming of the technology. Additionally, existing literature that focuses on the impact of the technology on different shipping categories is limited to studies on container ships. Originality/value The review identifies some potential areas of research that since maritime transportation will be affected by mainstreaming AM, it will have economic, social and environmental impacts on global trade that require future assessment.
Article
The biomimetic approach rapidly evolves for designing novel lightweight structures and has been expanding in engineering design. Additive manufacturing or 3D printing permits three-dimensional parts to be fabricated with an intricacy and quality that might be tough or impossible to appreciate with the present traditional production techniques. With the probabilities and exactitude, 3D printing allows bio-inspired lattice structures from nature that are hypothetically advanced to ingest excellent energy absorption capacity with less material. The combination of additive manufacturing with cellular lattice architectures offers potential design options regarding material utilization, strength, cost, and component weight. A summary of recent advances in the improvement of bio-inspired structures is outlined in this review paper. Specifically, exciting highlights and remarkable mechanical properties of bio-inspired structures of bones, teeth, and dermal layers of creatures might be bio-mimicked to style economical energy absorbers. Researchers and engineers can use this information to create unique designs inspired biologically for the application of absorption energy.
Article
Book
Additive Manufacturing Technologies: Rapid Prototyping to Direct Digital Manufacturing deals with various aspects of joining materials to form parts. Additive Manufacturing (AM) is an automated technique for direct conversion of 3D CAD data into physical objects using a variety of approaches. Manufacturers have been using these technologies in order to reduce development cycle times and get their products to the market quicker, more cost effectively, and with added value due to the incorporation of customizable features. Realizing the potential of AM applications, a large number of processes have been developed allowing the use of various materials ranging from plastics to metals for product development. Authors Ian Gibson, David W. Rosen and Brent Stucker explain these issues, as well as: Providing a comprehensive overview of AM technologies plus descriptions of support technologies like software systems and post-processing approaches Discussing the wide variety of new and emerging applications like micro-scale AM, medical applications, direct write electronics and Direct Digital Manufacturing of end-use components Introducing systematic solutions for process selection and design for AM Additive Manufacturing Technologies: Rapid Prototyping to Direct Digital Manufacturing is the perfect book for researchers, students, practicing engineers, entrepreneurs, and manufacturing industry professionals interested in additive manufacturing.
Factoring the impact of additive manufacturing: A model for university, industry, & government collaboration. Presentation given at NSF Workshop on Frontiers of Additive Manufacturing Research and Education
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New at the dentist: 3D printing “dental crowns while you wait
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Catching up to 3D printing
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Staples announces in-store 3-D printing service
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It Will Be Awesome if They Don't Screw It Up: 3D Printing, Intellectual Property, and the Fight Over the Next Great Disruptive Technology. White paper, Public Knowledge
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3D printing with Windows
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Staples first major U.S. retailer to announce availability of 3D printers. Press release
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Fabricated: The New World of 3D Printing
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3-D print tech may lead to custom running shoes
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New tech economy: 3D printing's promise in prosthetics
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UPS stores to test in-store 3D printing services. Nanowerk
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The 3D printing revolution you have not heard about
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3D Printing: The Next Industrial Revolution. Ex-plainingTheFuture.com
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3D printing, additive manufacturing, and solid freeform fabrication: The technologies and applications of the past, present and future. Presentation given at NSF Workshop on Frontiers of Additive Manufacturing Research and Education
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Why 3D printing will work in fashion
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Microsoft to sell MakerBot 3D printers in American stores
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