Exploring the evolution of additive manufacturing industry : a study of stakeholder requirements and architectural analysis of Desktop three-dimensional printing Segment

Abstract

In 2013, the White House announced an initiative designed to move America into the new digital era, this time the digital manufacturing era. An instrument pillar of the digital manufacturing is 3D printing, a 30-year technology traditionally found in industrial settings but have since evolved rapidly and extended beyond those frontiers. In recent years, desktop 3D printers have carved out a market for itself and have become the fastest growing segment within the additive manufacturing industry. What initially started as an aficionado's pursuit has since turned into a maker's movement, empowering the general user and redefining how physical objects are conceptualized and produced. The increased availability of desktop 3D printers, introduction of new robust materials, and emerging robust design and modeling software, have all piqued interests among the public in 3D printing and contributed to novel applications of the technology. As the technology becomes more prevalent and the users adapting it beyond novelty applications, so does the technology need to evolve to satisfy those emerging requirements. In the current state, 3D printing is well suited to fill a void within the spectrum of needs, and excels in delivering unique value propositions to the beneficiary. The decision to embrace 3D printing is a complex one involving multivariate dimensions, including awareness of the technology and skill requirements, and the perception of benefits. In summary, overcoming the sociotechnical and infrastructural challenges may be the key to realizing mainstream adoption of 3D printing.