Additive Manufacturing in Corporate Practice: A Survey of Current Practices and Future Prospects

Purpose: The additive manufacturing (AM) technology is frequently referenced as a potential catalyst for a transformative change in manufacturing due to flexibility, efficient processes, cost and material savings, as well as generating competitive advantages. However, there is a limited body of research examining how companies assess the potential and challenges in their industry and for their specific applications and what operational decisions they derive from these assessments. Information in view of the implementation, cooperation with service providers, as well as component requirements is limited. The objective of this paper is to present a comprehensive overview of the current status and projections of further operational and strategical developments based on consistent patterns identified in the survey. Methodology: The data and findings detailed in this paper are derived from a survey of 104 companies in Germany from a multitude of sectors. Findings: Corporates are highly responsive and open to AM technology. Nevertheless, a substantial roll-out in series production has not yet occurred. The data reveals a hybrid approach, where companies focus on internal development and complementing with the expertise from external partners. The more frequently a company utilizes AM, the more optimistic is its outlook regarding its future competitiveness.