The Importance of Digitalisation in Industrialising Additive Manufacturing: Learnings from the DIDAM P2030 Project

Abstract

Additive manufacturing, a technology that has evolved significantly over the last few decades, has shifted from prototyping to final product manufacturing. Despite its potential in design flexibility and customisation, its implementation in industrial ecosystems often faces challenges, especially in companies with established traditional manufacturing methods. This paper explores additive manufacturing beyond the printing process, drawing insights from the DIDAM project in Swedish manufacturing companies. It maps the advantages of additive manufacturing to external factors influencing its success such as digital infrastructure. This mapping yields “risk factors” for its implementation. These factors are based on empirical observations from the DIDAM project to identify potential failure modes, assess risks, and provide a snapshot view of critical issues. This objective evaluation aims to support managers in evaluating the risks associated with additive manufacturing’s integration into a company’s manufacturing ecosystem, based on empirical findings in industrial cases as reported in the DIDAM Digital Model Guide (Digital Model Guide, 2023).