Abstract
Original language | English |
---|---|
Article number | e19672 |
Number of pages | 22 |
Journal | Heliyon |
Volume | 9 |
Issue number | 9 |
DOIs | |
Publication status | Published - Sept 2023 |
Keywords
- 3D printing
- Additive manufacturing
- Business models
- Knowledge management
- Roadmap
- Technology roadmap
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In: Heliyon, Vol. 9, No. 9, e19672, 09.2023.
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
TY - JOUR
T1 - Identifying strategic opportunities through the development of a roadmap for additive manufacturing
T2 - The example of Portugal
AU - Fernandes, Vanessa
AU - Matos, F.
AU - Oliveira, João Pedro
AU - Neves, Ângela S. L.
AU - Godina, Radu
N1 - info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/FCT/6817 - DCRRNI ID/LA%2FP%2F0037%2F2020/PT# info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/FCT/6817 - DCRRNI ID/UIDP%2F50025%2F2020/PT# info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/FCT/6817 - DCRRNI ID/UIDB%2F50025%2F2020/PT# info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/FCT/3599-PPCDT/PTDC%2FEME-SIS%2F32232%2F2017/PT# info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/FCT/6817 - DCRRNI ID/UIDP%2F00667%2F2020/PT# info:eu-repo/grantAgreement/FCT/6817 - DCRRNI ID/UIDB%2F00667%2F2020/PT# Funding Information: Additive Manufacturing (AM) demonstrates significant potential with rapid growth and widespread industrial adoption. To support the integration and innovation of AM technologies, the development of guidance tools and support methods are crucial, and a technological roadmap can assist in this effort. Despite its widespread use in production processes, the need for further research on the potential impact of AM remains significant. The full impact of AM is still uncertain and lacks consensus, highlighting the need for increased knowledge and investment from the scientific community and organizations. While the benefits of AM are recognized, the challenges of its adoption are not entirely known. AM will bring changes in the way organizations create, distribute, and derive value. Thus, in this article, a roadmap for AM is proposed and presented as a tool to map technological knowledge on the implementation and evolution of AM and serve as a strategic guide for organizations. The methodology for its elaboration involves three phases: planning and preparation, roadmap development, and review and update. Through a literature review, database and project consultation, and questionnaires to Portuguese companies that use AM in their production process it was possible to characterize the AM technology and through the visual format, based on a time horizon, summarize in a common framework all the information about the current and future state of AM in Portugal. The results of this study show that research and development initiatives are essential to promote the evolution of knowledge of the AM technology. Throughout this study and with the development of the roadmap it is anticipated that in the near future the AM will be widely used for prototyping and manufacturing of components and may be used for direct production in the short to medium term. It was also found that the main obstacles to the implementation of AM are the economic/productivity factors and the shortage of professionals with knowledge and skills in the area.Funding and research has led to new AM procedures and these are used in different areas ranging from biomedical, automotive, aerospace, and other fields, to less common areas such as architectural design and digital art [31]. However, the aerospace, automotive, electronics, and medical industries are the ones that have demonstrated an increased rate of adoption of this technology [26].The population of this study is the organizations in Portugal that use AM technology in their production process, for which it is intended to generalize the findings of this research. The study was developed based on a sample of organizations drawn from the population. Organizations that use AM technologies in Portugal were considered, using them in their production process, either as a production method or as a tool to support it, or even as research and development companies. Initially the sampling was carried out through the selection of a part of the most accessible population and through database consultation of business directories and industry associations and online information of the companies. After contact with this first sampling, it was possible to extend the number of instances through snowball sampling [102]. The companies were contacted via e-mail, through which a brief description of the research carried out was presented. The second contact was made by conference call, where the invitation to participate in the questionnaire was reinforced.It is home manufacturing that has the most disruptive characteristics in which the consumer also plays an active role in value creation, as a prosumer [115]. Home manufacturing has increased innovation and user entrepreneurship and it is believed that its growth is yet to come [116]. For the growth of AM in Portugal and a greater adoption of this technology in the long term, it is essential that in the short/medium term there is a reduction in the material costs and equipment and also some financial support. Then, knowledge and knowledge sharing are also recognized by the industry as essential.Since AM is one of the key elements for digital transformation, there must be technical support. However, the AM support software is still far from being enough to support engineers in understanding the requirements and necessary limitations of the parts manufactured using AM to optimize production [118]. This support software is distinct and independent from the software used for printing since it is not possible to make any changes because they only depend on the equipment manufacturer.It is important that in Portugal, R&D activities continue to be supported and carried out so that development and innovation are not forgotten and there is constant evolution and innovation, particularly in AM technology. Also, knowledge sharing between organizations or even within the organization itself is essential and the evolution of information and communication technologies (ICT) can help in this sharing and the common understanding of knowledge since they allow the reuse of domain knowledge between people. Knowledge sharing can also be done through visits to other companies, open days, workshops, and participation in projects that allow and encourage the exchange of knowledge and know-how to know the technologies and processes used in AM by other companies and share experiences.Partnerships are important for two or more parties where everyone benefits from that relationship. Portuguese companies have partnerships with both other companies and also with universities and state that they have applied or are applying for research/community funds through partnerships with other companies and universities. The Portuguese government provides some incentives for business development, innovation, and competitiveness [104]. Some of the known governmental supports, both national and European, to help companies and organizations in adopting and using AM in Portugal are Product R&D Mobilizer Projects, Horizon Europe (H2020), Portugal 2020, Erasmus +, and co-promoted projects.In the short/medium term, it is expected that the financial support will be increased, especially financial support more directed to AM to encourage the growth of this technology in Portugal. According to Roca et al. [37], governments might focus on sectors in which their industries are already competitive and fund the progress of AM capabilities targeting those sectors. However, this opinion generates some controversy since, although this measure allows supporting the innovation of technologies in already competitive sectors [36], it ends up closing doors to companies that intend to employ this technology.In a future situation, new materials and new technologies are expected to emerge in the short/medium term. The AM technologies that are expected to be the most used in Portugal continue to be FDM, SLA, and SLS. AM will continue to be used for prototyping and component manufacturing and can be used for direct production in the short to medium term. The intention to expand AM to more of the company's productive processes is demonstrated by the companies and it is recognized that it could enable the production of fully functional final parts. The economic factors, the cost of materials and equipment, and the lack of financial support for AM were the reasons most pointed out for AM not having a greater implementation. The lack of knowledge and qualified professionals in the area are also two reasons that limit this technology, and they must be overcome in the short/medium term.Through the roadmap it was assessed that, in the near future, it is expected for new materials and technologies to emerge. AM is projected to be widely adopted by companies, with FDM, SLA, and SLS being the most commonly used technologies. AM will be used for prototyping and component manufacturing and may be used for direct production in the short to medium term. Companies seek to expand AM to more of their processes, which would enable the production of fully functional final parts. The main reasons hindering wider implementation of AM include economic factors such as cost of materials and equipment and lack of financial support. The shortage of knowledgeable and skilled professionals is another obstacle that needs to be overcome. AM will bring about new business models and the role of consumers will change. Home printing will increase, and consumers will have an active role in the production process, especially in domestic printing and 3D services. The aerospace, automotive, and healthcare industries are expected to experience significant growth in the coming years.João Pedro Oliveira acknowledges funding by national funds from FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P., in the scope of the projects LA/P/0037/2020, UIDP/50025/2020 and UIDB/50025/2020 of the Associate Laboratory Institute of Nanostructures, Nanomodelling and Nanofabrication – i3N. Florinda Matos acknowledges Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT-MCTES) for its financial support via KM3D (PTDC/EME-SIS/32232/2017). Radu Godina acknowledges Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT-MCTES) for its financial support via the project UIDP/00667/2020 and UIDB/00667/2020 (UNIDEMI). Funding Information: João Pedro Oliveira acknowledges funding by national funds from FCT - Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia, I.P., in the scope of the projects LA/P/0037/2020, UIDP/50025/2020 and UIDB/50025/2020 of the Associate Laboratory Institute of Nanostructures, Nanomodelling and Nanofabrication – i3N. Florinda Matos acknowledges Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT- MCTES ) for its financial support via KM3D (PTDC/EME- SIS /32232/2017). Radu Godina acknowledges Fundação para a Ciência e a Tecnologia (FCT- MCTES ) for its financial support via the project UIDP/00667/2020 and UIDB/00667/2020 (UNIDEMI). Publisher Copyright: © 2023
PY - 2023/9
Y1 - 2023/9
N2 - Additive Manufacturing (AM) demonstrates significant potential with rapid growth and widespread industrial adoption. To support the integration and innovation of AM technologies, the development of guidance tools and support methods are crucial, and a technological roadmap can assist in this effort. Despite its widespread use in production processes, the need for further research on the potential impact of AM remains significant. The full impact of AM is still uncertain and lacks consensus, highlighting the need for increased knowledge and investment from the scientific community and organizations. While the benefits of AM are recognized, the challenges of its adoption are not entirely known. AM will bring changes in the way organizations create, distribute, and derive value. Thus, in this article, a roadmap for AM is proposed and presented as a tool to map technological knowledge on the implementation and evolution of AM and serve as a strategic guide for organizations. The methodology for its elaboration involves three phases: planning and preparation, roadmap development, and review and update. Through a literature review, database and project consultation, and questionnaires to Portuguese companies that use AM in their production process it was possible to characterize the AM technology and through the visual format, based on a time horizon, summarize in a common framework all the information about the current and future state of AM in Portugal. The results of this study show that research and development initiatives are essential to promote the evolution of knowledge of the AM technology. Throughout this study and with the development of the roadmap it is anticipated that in the near future the AM will be widely used for prototyping and manufacturing of components and may be used for direct production in the short to medium term. It was also found that the main obstacles to the implementation of AM are the economic/productivity factors and the shortage of professionals with knowledge and skills in the area.
AB - Additive Manufacturing (AM) demonstrates significant potential with rapid growth and widespread industrial adoption. To support the integration and innovation of AM technologies, the development of guidance tools and support methods are crucial, and a technological roadmap can assist in this effort. Despite its widespread use in production processes, the need for further research on the potential impact of AM remains significant. The full impact of AM is still uncertain and lacks consensus, highlighting the need for increased knowledge and investment from the scientific community and organizations. While the benefits of AM are recognized, the challenges of its adoption are not entirely known. AM will bring changes in the way organizations create, distribute, and derive value. Thus, in this article, a roadmap for AM is proposed and presented as a tool to map technological knowledge on the implementation and evolution of AM and serve as a strategic guide for organizations. The methodology for its elaboration involves three phases: planning and preparation, roadmap development, and review and update. Through a literature review, database and project consultation, and questionnaires to Portuguese companies that use AM in their production process it was possible to characterize the AM technology and through the visual format, based on a time horizon, summarize in a common framework all the information about the current and future state of AM in Portugal. The results of this study show that research and development initiatives are essential to promote the evolution of knowledge of the AM technology. Throughout this study and with the development of the roadmap it is anticipated that in the near future the AM will be widely used for prototyping and manufacturing of components and may be used for direct production in the short to medium term. It was also found that the main obstacles to the implementation of AM are the economic/productivity factors and the shortage of professionals with knowledge and skills in the area.
KW - 3D printing
KW - Additive manufacturing
KW - Business models
KW - Knowledge management
KW - Roadmap
KW - Technology roadmap
UR - http://www.scopus.com/inward/record.url?scp=85169900663&partnerID=8YFLogxK
U2 - 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19672
DO - 10.1016/j.heliyon.2023.e19672
M3 - Article
C2 - 37809460
SN - 2405-8440
VL - 9
JO - Heliyon
JF - Heliyon
IS - 9
M1 - e19672
ER -