Running head: ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING

Additive Manufacturing

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The development of 3D printing/additive manufacturing technology occurred gradually

between the 1980s and 2000s. However, 3D printing technology has grown tremendously in the

second half of the 21st Century due to increased awareness about its benefits among business

organizations (Columbus, 2019). EY assessment on the growth in 3D printing technology across

the globe has indicated that its use in companies increased from 24 percent in 2016 to 65 percent

in 2019. Individuals, businesses and governments have recognized the transformative power of

additive manufacturing technology on the global manufacturing business.

3D printing technology facilitates manufacture of complex objects through material

deposition using printer technologies including nozzles and print heads (ASTM Committee F42

on Additive Manufacturing Technologies & ASTM Committee F42 on Additive Manufacturing

Technologies, 2012). It is an innovative technology that has solved manufacturing challenges

associated with conventional manufacturing techniques, including blow molding and injection

molding. Additive manufacturing technology has been integrated with manufacturing systems of

various industries including pharmaceutical, medical, plastic, aerospace and automotive

industries (Thewihsen et al., 2016). In the automotive and aerospace industries, additive

manufacturing is utilized in producing integrated and lightweight components of automobiles

and aircraft, respectively. The General Electric American aviation company, for example, used

3-D printing to integrate fuel-efficient nozzles in its LEAP engine. Currently, the fuel efficiency

of LEAP engine has enabled airline industries to save approximately $1.6 million annually on

every aircraft they operate. Moreover, A350 XWB aircraft model comprises over 1,000

components that are manufactured by 3D printing that generate fuel-saving rate of 25 percent.

Aerospace companies also use 3D printing to redesign and upgrade their aircraft. Automotive

companies mainly involve3D printing in the production of lightweight vehicle components.

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BMW, for example, has utilized 3D printing to produce water pump wheels for sports cars.

Additionally, 3D printing has enabled numerous automotive manufacturers to generate

customized vehicle parts.

Adoption of additive manufacturing has offered businesses numerous benefits. Firstly,

additive manufacturing has enabled business organizations to gain a competitive advantage in a

globalized market. The competitiveness of manufacturing companies in the globalized business

is based on their abilities to utilize technology in solving complex manufacturing challenges. 3D

printing has enabled businesses to generate complex models, one-piece components, and

integrate bionic structures with lightweight products, which conventional manufacturing

technologies would not accomplish. These manufacturing achievements have enabled businesses

to effectively meet customer’s expectations (Wienken & Kilger, 2016).

Secondly, 3D printing has facilitated mass customization hence meeting client’s

expectations. 3D product customization has enabled manufacturers to address the new consumer

trends, including convenience, connectedness and personalization by involving customers in the

design of individualized items. Meeting client demands has enabled businesses to maximize

utility and revenues.

Thirdly, 3D printing has generated flexibility and efficiency in manufacturing processes

hence effectively dealing with the 21st Century market dynamics. The technology offers

businesses flexibility in testing, creating and modifying products. The technology has created

efficiency in the supply chain and production departments of business organizations by reducing

production duration, lowering transport and logistics costs and lowering labor costs. Flexibility

and efficiency have increased profitability for businesses through wastage reduction of additive

manufacturing strategy.
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Nations across the globe have recognized the significance of the additive manufacturing

technology to their economic growth. Governments play an essential part in creating technology

exposure in the industries within their borders. The supportive role of Chinese and South Korean

governments on their manufacturing companies regarding technology growth has enabled 3D

printing experience in their companies to increase by 54 percent and 57 percent, respectively,

between 2016 and 2019. Notably, the 3D printing technology experience among Chinese and

South Korean companies in 2019 was 78 percent and 81 percent, respectively. Poor

technological growth sensitization campaigns in Germany have led to a lower 3D printing

experience among its companies, which was 63 percent (Karevska, et al., 2019). 3D printing

experience explains why Chinese and South Korean companies have effectively dominated the

globalized technology market.

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References

Columbus, L. (2019). The State Of 3D Printing, 2019. Forbes. Retrieved from

https://www.forbes.com/sites/louiscolumbus/2019/05/27/the-state-of-3d-printing-2019/

#5b9dd26746c2

Karevska, S., Müller, A., Kilger, C., Steinberg, G., Wienken, R., & Krauss, D. (2019). Standard

terminology for additive manufacturing technologies. ASTM International.

Thewihsen, F., Karevska, S., Czok, A., Pateman-Jones, C., & Krauss, D. (2016). If 3D printing

has changed the industries of tomorrow, how can your organization get ready today.

Ernst & Young, London/UK.

Wienken, R., & Kilger, C. (2016). How will 3D printing make your company the strongest link

in

the value chain? EY’s Global 3D printing Report 2016. EY.

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