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The rise of 3-D printing:The advantages of additive manufacturing over

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DOI: 10.1016/j.bushor.2017.05.011

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The rise of 3-D printing: The advantages of

additive manufacturing over traditional
manufacturing
Mohsen Attaran

School of Business & Public Administration, California State University, Bakersfield,

9001 Stockdale Highway, Bakersfield, CA 93311-1099, U.S.A.

KEYWORDS Abstract The use of additive manufacturing technologies in different industries

3-D printing; has increased substantially during the past years. Henry Ford introduced the moving
Additive assembly line that enabled mass production of identical products in the 20th century.
manufacturing; Currently, additive manufacturing enables and facilitates production of moderate
Rapid prototyping; to mass quantities of products that can be customized individually. Additive
Global supply chain; manufacturing technologies are opening new opportunities in terms of production
Mass customization paradigm and manufacturing possibilities. Manufacturing lead times will be reduced
substantially, new designs will have shorter time to market, and customer demand
will be met more quickly. This article identifies additive manufacturing implemen-
tation challenges, highlights its evolving technologies and trends and their impact on
the world of tomorrow, discusses its advantages over traditional manufacturing,
explores its impact on the supply chain, and investigates its transformative potential
and impact on various industry segments.
# 2017 Kelley School of Business, Indiana University. Published by Elsevier Inc. All
rights reserved.

1. An introduction to additive Sterolithgraphy Apparatus (Bogue, 2013). The

manufacturing
Three-dimensional printing (3-D printing), also
known as additive manufacturing (AM) or rapid
prototyping, has been around for decades. The first
working 3-D printer was created in 1984 by Charles
W. Hull of 3-D Systems Corp. He named the machine
E-mail address: mattaran@csubak.edu
technology was very expensive and not feasible
for the general market in the early days. As we
moved into the 21st century, however, costs drasti-
cally decreased, allowing 3-D printers to find their
way into many industries.
The 3-D printer works in a very similar way to the
standard inkjet printer, however, instead of printing
layers of ink on paper, a 3-D printer uses materials to
build a three-dimensional object (Berman, 2012).
The term AM encompasses many technologies in-
cluding subsets like 3-D printing, rapid prototyping

0007-6813/$ — see front matter # 2017 Kelley School of Business, Indiana University. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.bushor.2017.05.011
BUSHOR-1399; No. of Pages 12
2 M. Attaran
(RP), direct digital manufacturing (DDM), layered
manufacturing, and additive fabrication.
Additive manufacturing–—the industrial version
of 3-D printing–—is already used to make some niche
items in many industries. The terms 3-D printing and
additive manufacturing have become interchange-
able. The term additive manufacturing refers to the
technology–—or additive process–—of depositing suc-
cessive thin layers of material upon each other,
producing a final three-dimensional product. Each
layer is approximately 0.001 to 0.1 inches in thick-
ness (Wohlers Associates Inc., 2013). A wide variety
of materials can be utilized, namely: plastics, res-
ins, rubbers, ceramics, glass, concretes, and metals
(Bogue, 2013). Rapid prototyping refers to the
application of the technology. This was the first
application for AM, which assisted in the increase
of time-to-market and innovation. It can be
referred to as the process of quickly creating a
model/prototype of a part or finished good. This
part or finished good will be further tested and
scrutinized before mass production occurs. Most
commercial 3-D printers have similar functionality.
The printer uses a computer-aided design (CAD)
to translate the design into a three-dimensional
object. The design is then sliced into several two-
dimensional plans, which instruct the 3-D printer
where to deposit the layers of material.
In the past few years, many companies have
embraced AM technologies and are beginning to
enjoy real business benefits from the investment.
The technology is maturing and has worked its way
into a number of markets. It is now used in proto-
typing and distributed manufacturing, helping the
next generation of users adopt AM. The technology
is slowly reemerging as a valuable way to improve
internal efficiencies. It is now one of the hottest and
most interesting advancements in the design and
marketing world today.
According to a 2014 report by Wohlers, the world-
wide revenues from AM was $3.07 billion in 2013;
the industry is expected to increase to $5 billion by
Figure 1. Worldwide revenue from AM
2016, $12.08 billion by 2018, and exceed $21 billion
by 2020. These figures depict an AM market that
is growing robustly. Drivers for the rapid growth
are the reduction in cost to access the technology
as well as an increase in applications (Wohlers
Associates Inc., 2014) (See Figure 1).
2. Evolving technologies and trends
2.1. Status of technologies
AM has existed for over 30 years, but only recently
has this technology risen in popularity and captured
the interest of both technology experts and the
public. After 2009 when the last major patent for
fused deposition modeling (FDM) expired, printers
could be produced without infringing on intellectual
property, which bred a newfound interest and
investment in AM technologies (Van Lancker,
2015) (See Figure 2). The industry is still very young
and technological advancements in AM, as well as
the discovery of new applications of the technology,
are still in development. It may be a number of
years before AM truly revolutionizes manufacturing
and other industries in a considerable way.
3-D printers all use additive manufacturing pro-
cesses, but they use different technologies to build
the layers that form the final object. Melting or
softening material is used to produce the layers.
The two most common 3-D printing technologies are
selective laser sintering (SLS) and FDM. SLS utilizes
a high-powered laser to fuse small particles of
plastic, metal, ceramic, or glass powders into
a mass that has the desired three-dimensional
shape (see Figure 2). FDM employs thermoplastic
materials injected through indexing nozzles onto a
platform. Another method uses a UV laser or similar
power source to cure a photo-reactive resin one
Figure 2. A diagram of the SLS build process
Source: Top Max Technology (2017)
BUSHOR-1399; No. of Pages 12
The rise of 3-D printing: The advantages of additive manufacturing over traditional manufacturing
Figure 3. A diagram of SLA build process
Source: DTS Bromsgrove Ltd. (n.d.)
layer at a time. Stereolithography (SLA) is the
most common technology using this method (see
Figure 3). This high-end technology utilizes laser
technology to cure layer-upon-layer of photopoly-
mer resin. Finally, direct digital manufacturing
(DDM) is a process that produces parts directly from
a CAD file.
2.2. Trends and industry changes
Retailers, driven by a desire to cut supply chain
costs, made radio-frequency identification (RFID)
one of the fastest growing technologies in the
decade after 2000 (Attaran, 2007, 2011). AM, which
has grown in leaps and bounds in the past 5 years, is
likely to continue as a huge technology trend in the
current decade. Futurologist Jeremy Rifkin (2012)
believes that AM is a significant technology in the
third industrial revolution.
As the costs associated with 3-D printing have
decreased and its practicality has increased, the
technology has captured both the interest and
imagination of consumers and scientists alike.
Several technology trends are fueling the evolution
of 3-D printing and are enhancing its abilities and
offerings. These trends are summarized below.
2.2.1. Innovation and cost capabilities
In order for 3-D printing to be a more functional
means of manufacturing, printers must move
beyond the current focus of rapid prototyping. To
move past the technology’s nascent foundations,
innovation must take on overall 3-D printing perfor-
mance and perpetuate technological advances in
manufacturing. Printers must become faster, auton-
omous, easier to use, and more reliable.
Typically, 3-D printers usually have one of two
shortcomings: They either have higher capabilities
at a high price or they have primitive capabilities at
3
a lower price. However, during the past few years,
the gap between these two classifications has begun
to narrow. Now, some printers have more high-end
capabilities but come at a lower cost than they have
in the past; one of these printers can be purchased
for less than $5,000 (Curran & Baya, 2016). The
continued availability and affordability of more
capable printers is expected to continue as the
3-D printing industry continues to grow and progress.
2.2.2. Printing speed
Speed of printing is an important performance fac-
tor in 3-D printing and a key challenge that prevents
it from being a practical means of manufacturing in
some instances. While 3-D printing is fast in com-
parison to standard manufacturing at times (e.g., in
the production of prosthetics) it still takes hours
and even days to produce a product. Speed could be
improved by using higher quality components and by
optimizing the designs and movement of the lasers
(Curran & Baya, 2016).
Adding multiple print heads can also aid in
increasing the speed of a 3-D printer. Robox
launched its first dual-material 3-D printing head,
although this printer is more for the 3-D printing
hobbyist than for commercial manufacturing. It
allows for faster printing in addition to the ability
to print multiple materials at the same time. Having
limited print heads is not the only barrier to print
speed; the size of the object can also slow down
the 3-D printing process. Simply put, large objects
require more material, which makes printing larger
objects a tedious process. The technology for in-
creasing printing speed for large objects is currently
in development. Features like larger nozzles for
faster polymer deposition, high-speed laser cutters
with larger work areas, and high-speed motors to
accelerate printer heads are being considered. With
these technological innovations, print speed will no
longer be a barrier to future growth of the 3-D
printing industry (Curran & Baya, 2016).
2.2.3. Autonomous abilities
While 3-D printers often perform tasks without
human intervention, many still require upkeep
and supervision to ensure the printing process is
accurate. Having fully autonomous printers will
make 3-D printing more practical and appealing
to the masses. Some hobbyist 3-D printers are
already seeing a shift toward autonomous capabili-
ties. For instance, many printers sold to consumers
include a feature called auto-leveling, which makes
the process of leveling the printer’s platform
completely autonomous, as the printer is able to
calibrate itself. As designs and research and devel-
opment efforts come to fruition, 3-D printers could
BUSHOR-1399; No. of Pages 12
4 M. Attaran
eventually be entirely autonomous and ensure
accurate designs without human involvement.
3. Obstacles to rapid growth
While AM is a breakout technology poised to change
manufacturing and a variety of other industries,
implementation of the technology is only in its
infancy and there are numerous challenges to
applying AM in a way that would allow for its
significant and rapid growth. The major obstacles
of implementing AM technologies are summarized in
the following subsections.
3.1. Size restrictions
3-D printers are only capable of producing an object
that is smaller than the size of the printer casing.
This places restrictions of the size of objects that
can be manufactured. Although larger printers do
exist, they need to be housed somewhere big
enough to accommodate their size. Without a large
enough printer, sometimes a product’s parts are
manufactured in segments; however, this requires
additional time to assemble the parts of the finished
good, which starts to deter from the advantages.
3.2. Production time
In comparison to traditional mass production, AM is
relatively slow. Although the change time between
production runs in AM does not exist, the production
output trails in comparison to conventional mass
production run times (King, 2012). Unless the pro-
duction times of the printers can be improved when
large quantities are demanded, conventional
manufacturing will be the preferred mechanism
of production. AM technologies are more likely to
be used in mass customization manufacturing, as it
offers the ability to create highly customized prod-
ucts in limited inventory.
3.3. Cost
One barrier to entry that currently exists is the
cost of the printing equipment. However, this will
not be a reality for much longer. With increases in
technical developments, coupled with more manu-
facturers entering the industry, the price of 3-D
printers will decrease. The commitment to advanc-
ing 3-D printing technology is substantial. The Chi-
nese government has set out to be the largest player
in the 3-D printing industry and in June of 2013, it
committed approximately $245 million to drive
advancements in 3-D printing. With this continued
interest and support of 3-D printing, it is only
a matter of time before printers become more
affordable.
The printers are not the only expensive feature of
3-D printing, however; the materials required for
printing are expensive as well. The plastic filament
used in 3-D printing can range from $25 to $45 per
kilogram (Covert, 2014). Some 3-D printing compa-
nies want to force the cost of filament down by
creating competition in the market. Other compa-
nies have turned to other means to find more rea-
sonably priced filament. Protoprint, based in India,
makes filament out of used plastic bottles. The
company has partnered with garbage collectors in
order to collect and recycle the plastic bottles
(Covert, 2014). Just as the price of printers is
expected to decrease over the coming years, it
can also be expected that the cost of filament used
to print will also decrease as companies find inno-
vative ways to access and/or manufacture filament
and sell it for a lower cost.
3.4. Regulations
The growth and adaption of 3-D printing could have
colossal social and commercial implications if not
regulated effectively. With new technology, often
the rules and regulations do not move at the pace of
innovation. Regulation of 3-D printing has already
been brought into question. In 2013, the design for a
plastic handgun was freely available on the internet
(Bogue, 2013). Essentially, if a CAD design is avail-
able and there is a printer available large enough to
print the item, then the product can be easily, and
without restriction, brought into existence. The 3-D
printed gun was especially concerning as it could
not be detected by metal detectors and, if printed
by someone with malicious intent, could be a
threat to public safety. As the limits of 3-D printing
continue to be tested and new issues become
known, regulations and government intervention
could restrict who can perform 3-D printing and
what can be printed.
4. Advantages of AM over traditional
manufacturing
AM is truly innovative; it opens up new opportunities
and lends itself to many possibilities for companies
looking to improve manufacturing efficiency. AM
significantly streamlines traditional methods and
has the potential to become the norm over the
decade to come. According to several academic
studies, AM is a powerful tool to reduce complexity
in the supply chain in a variety of approaches
BUSHOR-1399; No. of Pages 12
The rise of 3-D printing: The advantages of additive manufacturing over traditional manufacturing
Figure 4. Five key benefits of AM over traditional
manufacturing
(e.g., Cohen, Sargeant, & Somers, 2014; Huang, Liu,
Mokasdar, & Hou, 2013; Janssen, Blankers, Moolen-
burgh, & Posthumus, 2014; Nyman & Sarlin, 2014;
Petrick & Simpson, 2013).
There are five key benefits that AM has over
traditional manufacturing: Cost, speed, quality,
innovation/transformation, and impact (See
Figure 4). AM will not replace existing conventional
production methods. However, it is expected to
revolutionize many niche areas. Exponential growth
is expected to be on the horizon. Savings in cost
and speed have been predicted in the literature.
Production savings for AM with metal for the next
5 years is shown in Figure 5.
In the following sections, I summarize AM’s great-
est potential and its capability to challenge many
traditional manufacturing constraints. Advantages
of AM over traditional manufacturing is also sum-
marized in Table 1.
4.1. Industrial efficiency
3-D printing of parts available to the consumer
could be an additional aspect of the industry
Figure 5. Production savings in cost and speed for AM: Facts and forecast
Source: Siemens (2017a)
5
revolutionized by 3-D printing technology. 3-D printing
would make it possible for consumers to print their
own parts for fixing their purchased products.
Simple spare parts will primarily be sold globally
by downloading a 3-D printing file. Consumers can
become micro-manufacturers.
4.2. Mass customization
The technology enables mass customization at low
cost. Retailors can design and personalize goods
without lengthy delivery time.
4.3. On-demand manufacturing
Additive manufacturing facilitates easy, on-demand
manufacturing of replacement parts. The technol-
ogy makes it possible to have parts printed in
remote locations by local distributors and service
providers. Therefore, the delivery of goods is no
longer a restriction. This results in the shortening
of the supply chain and saving as shipping and
stockpiling inventory is not necessary. The need
for large bulk inventories will be a thing of the past.
4.4. Decentralized manufacturing
The technology could potentially reduce the need
for logistics as designs could be transferred digital-
ly, leading to a decentralization of manufacturing.
By manufacturing items closer to the end destina-
tion, we reduce logistical costs and environmental
impact. This also reduces the time from production
to sale. In terms of environmental impact analysis,
I recommend a study by Paris, Mokhtarian, Coatané,
Museau, and Ituarte (2016) that compared and
evaluated AM technologies with traditional
BUSHOR-1399; No. of Pages 12

6 M. Attaran

Table 1. Advantages over traditional manufacturing

Areas of Application
Rapid Prototyping
Production of Spare Parts
Small Volume Manufacturing
Customized Unique Items
Very Complex Work Pieces
Machine Tool Manufacturing
Rapid Manufacturing
Component Manufacturing
On Site and On-Demand Manufacturing of Eliminate storage and transportation costs
Customized Replacement Parts
Rapid Repair
Advantages
Reduce time to market by accelerating prototyping
Reduce the cost involved in product development
Making companies more efficient and competitive at innovation
Reduce repair times
Reduce labor cost
Avoid costly warehousing
Small batches can be produced cost-efficiently
Eliminate the investment in tooling
Enable mass customization at low cost
Quick production of exact and customized replacement parts on site
Eliminate penalty for redesign
Produce very complex work pieces at low cost
Reduce labor cost
Avoid costly warehousing
Enables mass customization at low cost
Directly manufacturing finished components
Relatively inexpensive production of small numbers of parts
Enable mass customization at low cost
Improve quality
Shorten supply chain
Reduce the cost involved in development
Help eliminate excess parts
Save money by preventing downtimes
Reduces repair costs considerably
Shorten supply chain
The need for large inventory is reduced
Allow product lifecycle leverage
Significant reduction in repair time
Opportunity to modify repaired components to the latest design

manufacturing processes using life cycle assess-
ment (LCA) method.
4.5. Component manufacturing
The production of component parts is the other
main application of AM. Industries that most utilize
this technology require low quantities of parts that
must be printed to certain specifications with little
tolerance. Over 20% of the AM market is made up of
component part production for the aerospace and
automotive industries (King, 2012). In 2013, the
aerospace industry had in excess of 22,000 parts
in use (Royte, 2013). The level of success and
growth of AM in these sectors is an indicator that
the level of quality arising from AM parts is satis-
factory against tough industry standards.
4.6. Printing complete systems
will help since most finished products are made
from more than one material. Other areas being
worked on include materials, printing methods,
and combining additive and traditional methods
of manufacturing.
4.7. Quality improvement
The technology has the potential for improving
quality. For example, through 3-D printed implants
and prosthetics patients around the world are
experiencing improved quality of care. The tech-
nology will also help companies enhance their
aftermarket services. As manufacturing is moving
closer to the consumers, the consumer is fast trans-
forming into a producer-consumer.
4.8. Modifications and redesigns without
penalties

The technology has the ability to print complete AM is not just about the physical creation of a part.
systems or subsystems. This multimaterial capability It facilitates design and innovation without time or
BUSHOR-1399; No. of Pages 12
The rise of 3-D printing: The advantages of additive manufacturing over traditional manufacturing
cost penalties. This is so important when you con-
sider that over 60% of designs submitted for tooling
are modified while in production. This can quickly
lead to significant increases in cost and time delays.
AM enables engineers to try multiple iterations
simultaneously with minimal additional costs.
4.9. Increased supply chain proficiency
AM could enable the creation parts at a digital factory
near the manufacturing facility when and where they
are needed, eliminating lost time and costs associ-
ated with shipping parts globally. Additionally, AM
allows for real-time visibility to production and re-
ceipt of parts. General manufacturing time and cost
are minimized through the process.
4.10. Sustainable manufacturing
initiatives
AM leaves a smaller environmental footprint. The
technology generates little waste as only the need-
ed materials are used.
4.11. Manufacturing of parts on demand
Being able to access parts almost instantaneously
allows for a more fluid product development and
design process.
5. Transformative potentials of AM
Technology trends are not the only thing that will
help shape and predict the future of AM. The
growth of industries like the automotive and
aerospace industries can and will affect the AM
industry as well. The changing demands of major
industries that utilize AM will shape the direction
of AM and the type of technological innovations that
will be required to keep up with the demands of
the market.
In a study conducted by Lux Research, a global
consulting company, Lux estimated that the market
size of 3-D printing would grow significantly due to
the growing use of 3-D printing in the automotive,
medical, and aerospace industries. These industries
are expected to become 84% of the 3-D printing
market by 2025 (Lux Research, 2013). While the
industrial sector of the market is expected to
increase dramatically, consumer applications are
expected to remain a small segment of the market
as the practicality of consumer AM is limited beyond
a hobby or art form.
Beyond production, AM is changing how whole
industries operate. The technology is transforming
7
the consumer experience, the way that businesses
manufacture and distribute goods, and how indus-
tries function.
5.1. Small-volume manufacturing
Small-volume manufacturing in the AM industry is
expected to increase due to the use of AM in auto-
mobile parts and aerospace engine production. This
increase will result in a $1.1 billion for the AM
industry in 2025. As small volume production in-
creases, the cost of 3-D printing materials is also
expected to come down in price. The increase in
production will mark an 18% increase to 9,700 tons
in the amount of 3-D printing materials sold. The
entry of new suppliers into the market will result in
an 11% decrease in materials cost, making 3-D
printing more economically feasible (Lux Research,
2013).
5.2. Healthcare and medical
Healthcare is among the sectors with the greatest
transformative potential. The use of AM in the
medical industry is expected to trend toward
growth. The applications of AM in manufacturing
prosthetics–—even human organs–—is becoming an
increasingly standard implementation of the tech-
nology. This market is still in its infancy, but the
expectations of successfully using AM in the medical
industry are high. In 2012, the medical segment of
the AM market was only $11 million, but as the cost
of the technology decreases, the market is ex-
pected to grow to $1.9 billion in 2025 (Lux Research,
2013).
AM facilitates easy, on-demand manufacturing of
replacement parts. The technology makes it possi-
ble to have parts printed in remote locations by
local distributors and service providers. Therefore,
the delivery of goods is no longer a restriction. This
results in the shortening of the supply chain and
increased savings as inventory shipping and stock-
piling is not necessary. As this technology enters the
medical industry mainstream, the need for large
bulk inventories will be outdated. Table 2 summa-
rizes the greatest potential of AM and its capability
to challenge manufacturing constraints and open up
new opportunities in global supply chain.
6. Industries that benefit from
AM technologies
The breadth and impact of AM continues to expand
as the technology gains acceptance and functional-
ity, making it a feasible means of production in a
BUSHOR-1399; No. of Pages 12

8 M. Attaran

Table 2. Additive manufacturing impact on manufacturing and supply chain

Manufacturing Efficiency Supply Chain Improvement
Mass customization Shorter manufacturing lead time
On-demand manufacturing Reduced inventory
Decentralized manufacturing Reduced lot size
Multi-material capability Shorter time-to-market
Consumers can become micro-manufacturer Reduced transportation cost
Ability to print complete systems or subsystems Quick response to customer demand
Quality improvement Reduced production waste
Improved sustainability

variety of industries. While AM is primarily used as a 6.1. Aerospace

way to make low-cost prototypes and mock-ups, the
technology is multifaceted and has many existing AM has been pushed beyond the realm of prototyp-
and possible uses. As discussed by Bogue (2013), ing and has become an effective means of advancing
there are two main categories of applications: rapid the way parts and tools are produced in the aero-
prototyping and component manufacturing. space industry. AM makes it possible to have objects
Rapid prototyping is a provocateur of innovation; printed in remote locations as delivery of goods is no
it provides reductions in cost and time. The cost and longer a restriction. This benefit of AM makes it
time savings come from the prototype manufactur- possible for the use of 3-D printing in space. NASA
ing and product testing stages of innovation. When has been testing AM in zero gravity in hopes of
producing one iteration or a limited run of a prod- establishing on-demand manufacturing for astro-
uct, it is very costly to use traditional manufactur- nauts. This would allow component parts for main-
ing, thus AM is a far cheaper approach. In addition, tenance and repair of the international space
when AM is utilized to produce a prototype, it is station to be manufactured in space. This would
much faster compared to traditional manufactur- decrease the need for the shuttle to make trips
ing. Cost and time savings provide more focus on to the international space station to deliver parts,
other areas of innovation, making companies more thus greatly reducing the lead time on replacement
efficient and competitive at innovation. parts. A reduction in lead time would imply a
Siemens (2017a, 2017b) uses AM technologies in reduction in inventory and a reduction in costs.
selective laser melting (SLM) to repair parts for To quantify the cost reduction, transporting one
industrial gas turbines up to 10 times faster and
with full freedom of design possibilities. With AM as Figure 6. Siemens application of AM technologies
an integral part of the development process, com-
ponents design and manufacturing are realized and
tested during the development, achieving fast
development cycles (see Figure 6).
Component manufacturing is the other main
application of AM. Industries that require low quan-
tities of parts that must be printed to certain
specifications with little tolerance for error most
utilized AM. Over 20% of the AM market is made up
of component part production for the aerospace
and automotive industries (King, 2012). In 2013, the
aerospace industry had in excess of 22,000 parts in
use (Royte, 2013). The level of success and growth
of AM in these sectors is an indicator that the level
of quality arising from AM parts is satisfactory when
weighed against tough industry standards. The ap-
plication of either rapid prototyping or component
part production across industries, by means of AM,
are summarized in the following subsections and in
Table 3A and Table 3B. Source: Siemens (2017b)
BUSHOR-1399; No. of Pages 12

The rise of 3-D printing: The advantages of additive manufacturing over traditional manufacturing 9

Table 3A. Industries benefiting from additive manufacturing

Industry Applications
Aerospace Prototyping
Component manufacturing
Reducing aircraft weight
Engine components for the Airbus
Flight-certified hardware
Manufacturing of satellite
components
Automotive Prototyping
Component manufacturing
Reducing vehicle weight
Cooling system for race car
Machine Tool Prototyping
Production Reducing grip system weight
End-of-arm for smarter packaging
Healthcare Fabricating custom implants, such
and Medical as hearing aids and prosthetics
Manufacturing human organs
Reconstructing bones, body parts
Hip joints and skull implants
Robotic hand
Benefits Gained
Produce very complex work pieces at low cost
Allow product lifecycle leverage
Objects manufactured in remote locations, as delivery of
goods is no longer a restriction
A reduction in lead-time would imply a reduction in
inventory and a reduction in costs
On-demand manufacturing for astronauts
Eliminate excess parts that cause drag and add weight
Improve quality
Help eliminate excess parts
Speed up time to market
Reduce the cost involved in product development
Reduce repair costs considerably
Reduce inventory
Could effectively change the way cars will look and function
in the future
Improve quality
Quick production of exact and customized replacement
parts on site
Allow for designs that are more efficient and lighter
Reduced surgery time and cost
Reduced the risk of post-operative complications
Reduced lead-time

Table 3B. Industries benefiting from additive manufacturing

Industry Applications Benefits Gained
Dentistry and Dental coping Great potential in the use of new materials
Dental Precisely tailored teeth and dental Reduced lead-time
Technology crowns Prosthetics could be fabricated in only a day, sometimes
Dental and orthodontic appliances even in a few hours
Prototyping
Architectural Generating an exact scale model of Producing scale models up to 60% lighter
and the building Reduce lead times of production by 50—80%
Construction Printing housing components The ability to review a model saves valuable time and money
caused by rework
Reduce construction time and manpower
Increase customization
Reduce construction cost
provide low cost housing to poverty-stricken areas
Retail/ Shoes and clothing On-demand custom fit and styling
Apparel Fashion and consumer goods Reduce supply chain costs
Consumer grade eyewear Create and deliver products in small quantities in real time
Titanium eyeglass frames Create overall better products
Production of durable plastic and Products get to market quicker
metal bicycle accessories
Food Chocolate and candy The ability to squeeze out food, layer by layer,
Flat foods such as crackers, pasta into 3-D objects
and pizza Reduce cost
Feasibility of printing food in space
BUSHOR-1399; No. of Pages 12
10
pound of material into space amounts to approxi-
mately $10,000 (King, 2012). Not only could this be
used to make repairs on the international space
station, but could also allow deep-space crew mis-
sions, as parts could simply be manufactured on
the shuttle. Having the ability to print on-demand
decreases the amount of cargo space needed and
the need for spare parts, thus circumventing the
weight restrictions on spacecraft (NASA, 2014).
Boeing and Airbus are both active in component
parts AM. Across 10 different models of military and
commercial jets, there are 200 component parts
being used (Crandall, 2013). There have been no
reported failures on these parts (King, 2012). Airbus
has AM components parts on their A380, namely
their cabin brackets (Bogue, 2013). Component
parts produced by AM allow for designs that are
more efficient and lighter. A lighter aircraft has
significant cost savings; a reduction in one kilogram
equates to a savings of $1,300 in fuel per year (King,
2012).
6.2. Automotive
One of the first applications of 3-D printing was in
the automotive industry. General Motors has been
using AM to make prototypes for over 20 years in
order to speed up time-to-market and to reduce the
cost involved in product development (Fish, 2011).
Prototyping is not the only application of AM in the
automotive industry. In 2011, Kor Ecologic unveiled
the Urbee. The Urbee is the first car to have its
exterior and interior completely printed. This
helped eliminate excess parts that cause drag and
add weight. While the car is currently a prototype
for developing efficient vehicles, the company
hopes to release the Urbee 2 for consumer use.
The use of AM for automotive manufacturing could
effectively change the way cars will look and func-
tion in the future (Bargmann, 2013).
The manufacturing of tools and parts is also
another benefit applicable to the automotive indus-
try. BMW uses the technology to print handheld tools
that are used to attach bumpers and license plates
(Bogue, 2013).
6.3. Medical
The medical industry has found revolutionary ways
to implement AM. Fabricating custom implants such
as hearing aids and prosthetics was one of the first
ways that AM transformed the medical industry
(Berman, 2012). Practitioners are now able to scan
a patient using CAD software, produce a custom
implant or prosthetic, and fit the individual with a
custom component that is specified to the patient’s
M. Attaran
unique needs. The custom-made implants reduce
surgery time and cost as well as reduce the risk of
post-operative complications (Bogue, 2013). Lead
time is also greatly reduced. Before AM, patients
would have to have molds made, which would then
be fabricated–—a process that could take months.
AM allows prosthetics to be fabricated in only a day,
sometimes even in a few hours (Berman, 2012).
Prosthetics were only the first step in the com-
ponent production for the human body. Practi-
tioners have been able to print organs that
function properly. Most notably, a team led by
Anthony Atala printed a human bladder using 3-D
printing of biocompatible materials. Layers of living
cells are deposited onto a gel medium and slowly
built up to form three-dimensional structures. 3-D
bioprinting has been used for generating and trans-
planting several types of tissue, including skin,
bone, vascular grafts, heart tissues, other vital
tissues, and organs (Murphy & Atala, 2014).
Another application in the medical sector is 3-D
printed dental copings. Dental copings are used in
dental crowns and bridges. These items can be
quickly printed, are durable, and can be fitted
to the exact specifications of the patient’s mouth.
This application of 3-D printing has already been
implemented as a way to enhance the patient
experience by creating a range of dental and or-
thodontic appliances (Bogue, 2013). Related appli-
cations of 3-D printing include reconstructing
bones, body parts, and heavily damaged evidence
acquired from crime scene investigations in foren-
sic pathology.
6.4. Architectural
Computer simulations and wood models have tradi-
tionally been used to review designs, but AM brings
realistic and unequaled detail and precision to the
routine practice. Once an architect has designed a
building, it is now possible to load those drawings
into a printer and get an exact scale model of the
building. This is an effective tool for architects as it
allows improvements to be made on the design on a
smaller scale, thus refining the architecture plan.
The ability to review a model saves valuable time
and money caused by rework.
Models are not the only way that AM benefits the
architectural industry. The construction industry
can benefit from this technology in terms of reduced
construction time, manpower, and cost, while also
allowing for increased customization. Various re-
search groups across the globe are making progress
toward printing houses. A group of Dutch scientists
has built the KramerMaker, which is a 6-meter
printer. This printer is capable of printing plastic
BUSHOR-1399; No. of Pages 12
The rise of 3-D printing: The advantages of additive manufacturing over traditional manufacturing
parts with dimensions of 2.2  2.2  3.5 m. A re-
search group in the UK is working at printing con-
crete component parts of a similar size. Researchers
have managed to demonstrate the capability of
printing components from cement mortar (Bogue,
2013). The ability to print housing components
could be an effective means of providing low-cost
housing to poverty-stricken areas and could poten-
tially revolutionize the way houses are built.
6.5. Retail
3-D printed shoes, clothing, and consumer goods
have already made their way into the market as AM
enters the retail industry. Retail is poised to gain
some major advantages from innovations in 3-D
printing. According to John Hauer, co-founder and
CEO of 3-DLT, 3-D printing's rapid prototyping
abilities will create localized manufacturing, thus
reducing supply chain costs and creating overall
better products. Hauer stated: “Products are get-
ting to market quicker, arguably as better-designed
products with more end-user feedback because
they are able to play with a working model of the
product” (Honigman, 2014). The time and money
that goes into forecasting what consumers may
want to buy in the future and how much of the
product should be made can cost companies bil-
lions. 3-D printers could allow retailers to create
and deliver products in small quantities in real time,
providing actionable insight into which products
will actually drive demand. For example, if a 3-D
model is well received, it can then be mass-produced
through traditional manufacturing channels to meet
higher demand (Honigman, 2014).
7. The future of AM
The terms 3-D printing and AM have become inter-
changeable. 3-D printing technology has been in
existence for over 30 years, but after the expiration
of one of the technology’s last patents in 2009,
there has been tremendous industry growth as well
as huge steps in advancing the technology to make it
more efficient and cost effective. 3-D printing tech-
nology is still in its infancy and will require further
advancements in technology including reducing
costs of printers and printer material and increasing
printer capabilities to be faster, more accurate, and
work autonomously.
MIT Technology Review categorized additive
manufacturing as one of the 2013’s 10 seminal
technologies. AM technologies are opening new
opportunities in term of production paradigm and
manufacturing possibilities. There are tremendous
11
opportunities in a variety of industries, ranging
from industrial to retail, for AM technologies to
make a substantial impact on the way products
are made and the way companies do business.
The world is ready to hop on to a decentralized
industrial revolution.
However, experts do not expect AM to replace
conventional manufacturing processes. It is not
going to revolutionize the manufacturing sector,
rendering traditional factories obsolete. Instead,
we should see it as a complement and exploit its
unique capabilities. The technology will establish
itself in niche sectors involving similar parts with
minimal differences. The technology is opening up
new opportunities for manufacturing and global
supply chain. It makes existing products better as
well as enabling firms to manufacture entirely new
ones that were previously impossible to make.
Almost every sector of the industry is riding on
the AM opportunity to bring innovations to reality in
industries like automotive, aerospace, and medical.
While AM started mainly as a means to create
prototypes, recent technological advancements
and applications of AM technologies suggest that
the technology has potential to revolutionize many
facets of everyday life.
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