Additive manufacturing: A qualitative analysis of AM's potentinal in a value chain framework
Master thesis
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https://hdl.handle.net/11250/3036870Utgivelsesdato
2022Metadata
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- Studentoppgaver (TN-ISØP) [1411]
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Sammendrag
AbstractIn this master thesis, the purpose was to look at how and why using additivemanufacturing can further improve relevant firms’ value chain through the activities theyperform. Additive manufacturing was first introduced in the 1980s as a prototypingtechnology, but its scope has extended far beyond its original use.
Through literature study and qualitative research, it was possible to identify how andwhy additive manufacturing offers certain benefits compared to traditional manufacturingmethods. Contacting 5 different firms who shared their experience working with thetechnology revealed some key benefits with using AM (additive manufacturing) inmanufacturing. In the analysis, the objective was to go through the 5 primary activities and 4supporting activities defined in Michael Porters’ value chain theory and categorize differentactivities where AM excels when it comes to offering a competitive advantage and why.Based on our qualitative study, key activities and benefits were identified for the materialmanufacturer, the 3D CAD model designer, the part manufacturer and the end-user.
One of the main beneficial activities identified for the material manufacturer wasrecycling. For the 3D CAD model designer, it was primarily design optimization,customization, and product adjustment. For the part manufacturer some activities and benefitswere local production, home sourcing, digital inventories, mass customization, production ofcomplex geometry parts and reduced weight parts. Lastly, for the end-user digital inventoriesas well as purchasing customized parts were some of the main activities and benefitsassociated with AM. Reduced cost, time and material wastage was also found to be a clearbenefit when using additive manufacturing for many of these activities.
The find from this research creates a basis for firms to further evaluate their ownspecific value chain. Through identifying their own activities first, it is then possible toconsider different benefits associated with AM presented in this thesis and evaluate if they arerelevant for improving their own value chain. Also through this thesis, it becomes apparenthow additive manufacturing needs to be looked at from a different perspective, rethinkinghow manufacturing has been done in the past. AbstractIn this master thesis, the purpose was to look at how and why using additivemanufacturing can further improve relevant firms’ value chain through the activities theyperform. Additive manufacturing was first introduced in the 1980s as a prototypingtechnology, but its scope has extended far beyond its original use.
Through literature study and qualitative research, it was possible to identify how andwhy additive manufacturing offers certain benefits compared to traditional manufacturingmethods. Contacting 5 different firms who shared their experience working with thetechnology revealed some key benefits with using AM (additive manufacturing) inmanufacturing. In the analysis, the objective was to go through the 5 primary activities and 4supporting activities defined in Michael Porters’ value chain theory and categorize differentactivities where AM excels when it comes to offering a competitive advantage and why.Based on our qualitative study, key activities and benefits were identified for the materialmanufacturer, the 3D CAD model designer, the part manufacturer and the end-user.
One of the main beneficial activities identified for the material manufacturer wasrecycling. For the 3D CAD model designer, it was primarily design optimization,customization, and product adjustment. For the part manufacturer some activities and benefitswere local production, home sourcing, digital inventories, mass customization, production ofcomplex geometry parts and reduced weight parts. Lastly, for the end-user digital inventoriesas well as purchasing customized parts were some of the main activities and benefitsassociated with AM. Reduced cost, time and material wastage was also found to be a clearbenefit when using additive manufacturing for many of these activities.
The find from this research creates a basis for firms to further evaluate their ownspecific value chain. Through identifying their own activities first, it is then possible toconsider different benefits associated with AM presented in this thesis and evaluate if they arerelevant for improving their own value chain. Also through this thesis, it becomes apparenthow additive manufacturing needs to be looked at from a different perspective, rethinkinghow manufacturing has been done in the past.