The aim of this paper is to investigate the impact of fabbing on various industries to reveal how these industries could potentially be transformed in the next 15 years.
First, the subsequent chapters two and three cover the theoretical fundamentals of this paper. In doing so, chapter two addresses additive manufacturing, which focuses on its definition and procedure as well as fabbing, which is covered to the most detailed extent as it is the additive manufacturing's main field of application.
As additive manufacturing is often classified a disruptive technology, chapter three discusses Christensen's theory as well as recommendations on how to deal with disruptive innovations.
Based on these fundamentals, chapter four starts with the design of a scorecard, which matches various industries with a score from one to five to each of the most relevant factors that have to be considered when evaluating the impact of fabbing on the respective industries. Afterwards, the three industries with the highest overall score are selected for further investigation. This investigation addresses the impact of fabbing on that particular industry and will be based on theknowledge, valuation and expectations of experts. Furthermore, an exemplary case study of one enterprise from each industry is conducted to showcase actual changes within a company.
The paper then concludes with a summary and an outlook on necessary further research.
Table of Contents
1. Introduction
1.1. Problem Definition and Objective
1.2. Course of the Investigation
2. Additive Manufacturing
2.1. Definition and Procedure
2.2. Fabbing
2.2.1. Definition and Development
2.2.2. Mechanics of Fabbing
2.2.3. Current Market Environment
2.2.4. Advantages to Traditional Manufacturing
3. Disruptive Innovation and Technology
3.1. Classification of a Disruptive Innovation
3.2. Definition of a Disruptive Innovation
3.3. Handling of a Disruptive Technology
4. Impact of Fabbing on Different Industries
4.1. Development of a Scorecard for Impact Evaluation
4.2. Evaluation of Impact on Different Industries
4.3. Concluding Remarks
5. Impact of Fabbing on Selected Industries
5.1. Impact of Fabbing on the Aerospace Industry
5.1.1. Impact Case Study on the Aerospace Industry
5.2. Impact of Fabbing on the Retail Industry
5.2.1. Impact Case Study on the Retail Industry
5.3. Impact of Fabbing on the Healthcare Industry
5.3.1. Impact Case Study on the Healthcare Industry
6. Discussion and Conclusion
Research Objective and Core Topics
The primary aim of this thesis is to analyze the impact of 'fabbing' (additive manufacturing) across various industries to understand how these sectors may be fundamentally transformed over the next 15 years, considering both technological opportunities and market challenges.
- Theoretical analysis of additive manufacturing and fabbing processes.
- Application of Christensen’s theory of disruptive innovation to fabbing technologies.
- Development and implementation of a scorecard for evaluating industry impact.
- Case studies on the aerospace, retail, and healthcare industries.
Excerpt from the Book
2.2.2. Mechanics of Fabbing
The process of fabbing starts with a 3D computer software that generates a digital blueprint, which comprises the instructions for the printer about the material that is going to be used and its layer-by-layer construction plan (Horsch, 2014). Essentially, fabbing follows the same principles as a customary two-dimensional (2D) printer, except for the fact that a 3D printer continues to print another 2D layer immediately after the first one is completed until the desired three-dimensional object is formed (Revolution in 3D, 2014).
Initially, the desired object is generated virtually as a CAD file either through suitable CAD software or, if the desired object already exists, a 3D scanner (Gebhardt, 2007; Fastermann, 2012). If supporting material is required to stabilize an object due to beetle elements, the software automatically includes supporting material in the design, which is removed at the end of the process. Afterwards, the CAD software slices the digital model horizontally (Slicing) into individual layers. One has to note for thoroughness that dependent on the used computer program, the software for generating the CAD file can differentiate from the one slicing it. As soon as these layers are digitally generated the printing process itself begins. The printer starts with the first layer and, after its completion, continues with the next one until the last layer and therefore the desired physical object is finished (Zäh, 2006). The problem such a procedure presents is its speed as each layer has to be printed and then congealed or agglutinated, and new material has to be moved into place in separate steps before the process for the next layer can be started. With the aforementioned most widely spread techniques FDM, SLS and SLA "a macroscopic object several centimeters in height can take hours to construct" (Tumbleston et al., 2015, p. 1349).
Summary of Chapters
1. Introduction: Defines the problem and the academic objective of exploring the potential of additive manufacturing technologies until 2030.
2. Additive Manufacturing: Provides the theoretical foundation, focusing on definitions, specific fabbing mechanics, current market environments, and key advantages over traditional production.
3. Disruptive Innovation and Technology: Explores Clayton Christensen’s framework to classify fabbing as a disruptive innovation and discusses strategic approaches for established firms to manage such technologies.
4. Impact of Fabbing on Different Industries: Details the methodology for creating a scorecard to evaluate industrial impact, including expert survey results and factor categorization.
5. Impact of Fabbing on Selected Industries: Investigates three high-impact industries (aerospace, retail, healthcare) through deep dives and specific enterprise case studies.
6. Discussion and Conclusion: Summarizes the findings, contrasting media hype with realistic expert perspectives, and outlines limitations and future research needs.
Keywords
Additive Manufacturing, Fabbing, 3D Printing, Disruptive Innovation, Digital Fabrication, Rapid Prototyping, Aerospace Industry, Retail Industry, Healthcare Industry, Technology Management, CAD, Scorecard, Sustainability, Material Science, Industrial Transformation
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the core focus of this thesis?
This thesis investigates the technological and industrial impact of 'fabbing' (additive manufacturing) and evaluates its potential to transform various market sectors within the next 15 years.
Which industries are identified as having the highest potential for impact?
Based on the developed scorecard and expert evaluations, the aerospace, healthcare, and retail industries are identified as the most significantly impacted sectors.
What is the primary objective regarding market transformation?
The objective is to distinguish between media-driven hype and realistic possibilities, identifying how fabbing acts as a disruptive technology that could challenge existing value chains.
What scientific methodology does the author employ?
The author uses a combination of literature analysis and expert interviews to develop a weighted scorecard that assesses industry-specific impact factors such as convenience, customization, and cost reduction.
What core topics are addressed in the main body of the paper?
The main body covers the technical mechanics of 3D printers, the theoretical classification of disruptive innovations, the design of an impact scorecard, and detailed case studies including companies like Airbus and Hasbro.
What are the characterizing keywords of this research?
The research is characterized by terms such as Additive Manufacturing, Disruptive Innovation, Rapid Prototyping, and Industrial Transformation.
Why does the author use the term 'fabbing' instead of just '3D printing'?
The author chooses the term 'fabbing' to encompass not just the printing hardware, but also the broader implications of services, user availability, and the societal shift toward product individualization.
What role does the 'Scorecard' play in this study?
The scorecard serves as a systematic evaluation tool to compare different industries based on expert-derived impact factors, allowing for a structured selection of the most relevant sectors for further study.
How does the research assess the future of food production via fabbing?
The study evaluates food production as having a relatively low impact until 2030 due to current limitations in available systems and high costs, likely restricting its use to specialized niche products.
What is the role of 'CLIP' technology mentioned in the text?
Continuous Liquid Interface Production (CLIP) is discussed as a breakthrough technique that significantly increases printing speed, potentially addressing one of the major barriers for fabbing in mass production.
- Quote paper
- Leon Thomsen (Author), 2015, How "Fabbing" Will Change Different Industries Until 2030. The Future of 3D Printing in Aerospace, Retail and Healthcare, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/304122
