Facoltà: Ingegneria Gestionale per la Produzione Industrial
Collocazione: 14546
Autore: Baltieri Alessandro
Data: 17/12/2015
Titolo: The challenges of 3D printing on manufacturers: a revolution of production and business
Relatore: Buonanno Giacomo
Autorizzazione per la consultazione: NO
Le tesi si possono consultare unicamente in sede
The following master thesis tries to identify whether 3D printing can be seen as a disruptive or sustaining innovation and whether it contributes to the competitive advantage of manufacturing companies. Once innovation as a category has been defined, this work considers the manufacturing industries affected by 3D printing. Subsequently, this work gives an overview of the literature explaining the technology behind 3D printing, its different techniques and how it can be used in manufacturing operations. Furthermore, this thesis also discusses literature on process and product innovation as well as disruptive and sustaining innovation. In order to understand which sectors are affected most and with which competitive advantages, the author interviewed 3D printing manufacturers. In a further step, the author coded the interviews and developed categories based on Mayring’s qualitative content analysis. The results of the analysis provided a general understanding of 3D printers. In addition, the innovative quality of 3D printers regarding processes and production in manufacturing companies was discussed as well as the disruptive and sustaining nature of 3D printers. Moreover, conclusions are provided about how the manufacturing sector has been affected by 3D printers and how the application of 3D printers can provide a competitive advantage.
