Market analysis, technological foresight, and business models for micro-manufacturing

Abstract

Micro-parts and micro-systems based products are considered as a crucial value-adding factor for many industrial sectors in Europe and thus an increasingly important contributor to Europe’s industrial and economic future. In this regard, it is quite relevant and important to understand the existing and future trends of micro-manufacturing not only from technological perspective but also from non-technological and managerial perspective. This chapter aims to provide a required body of knowledge for the readers in terms of market analysis, technological foresights and business models for micro-manufacturing. It will specifically discuss about current existing business drivers, sectors of application, market trends, future technologies and sectors of application, as well as existing and potential future business models for micro-manufacturing.