Additive Manufacturing: Importance and Challenges for Latin America

Abstract

In this chapter, Rodríguez et al. (Res Educ 11(3):165–173, 2002) Competitive Technical Intelligence methodology is adapted and applied to an analysis of additive manufacturing technology. The global current stage of this technology and an assessment of its future potential are presented and compared with actual development in Latin America. Market information is also evaluated. Later, a scientometric patent and scientific literature analysis are used to compare global and regional circumstances in regard to this technology. The insights obtained from these assessments reveal that patent and research activity regarding additive manufacturing throughout Latin America is behind that of developed countries. However, some companies are making use of additive manufacturing in their current processes. A major adoption of this technology is expected to occur in Latin American as a result of the advancements in additive manufacturing.