The impact of additive manufacturing on the product-process matrix

Eyers, Daniel ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5499-0116, Potter, Andrew ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3157-9735, Gosling, Jonathan ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9027-9011 and Naim, Mohamed ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3361-9400 2022. The impact of additive manufacturing on the product-process matrix. Production Planning and Control 33 (15) , pp. 1432-1448. 10.1080/09537287.2021.1876940

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Abstract

The relationship between volume, variety, and process choice is a fundamental tenet of manufacturing research and practice, and through the product-process matrix managers balance trade-offs between the traditionally dichotomous objectives of flexibility and cost in process selection. In this paper we examine the adherence of Additive Manufacturing systems to traditional trade-offs, and identify circumstances where they deviate from these established norms. Using engineering philosophy we develop an extension of the product-process matrix to accommodate both variety and customization measures, which is used to evaluate case study research conducted with five major Additive Manufacturing companies. Fifteen case studies inform the research, drawn from a broad range of industry sectors. A qualitative approach was taken, using semi-structured interviews and process observation. The study demonstrates that Additive Manufacturing systems can support both alignment and disjunction to established theory. For many cases a general conformance to the traditional product-process matrix ‘diagonal’ is evidenced. However, several cases show significant deviation, demonstrating the achievement of both variety and volume for both batch and line production. Through a detailed exploration of the focal cases, we highlight the characteristics of both products and Additive Manufacturing systems that can help overcome traditional trade-off constraints.

Item Type:	Article
Date Type:	Publication
Status:	Published
Schools:	Business (Including Economics) Centre for Advanced Manufacturing Systems At Cardiff (CAMSAC)
Subjects:	T Technology > TS Manufactures
Publisher:	Taylor & Francis
ISSN:	0953-7287
Date of First Compliant Deposit:	12 January 2021
Date of Acceptance:	6 January 2021
Last Modified:	08 Nov 2023 02:34
URI:	https://orca.cardiff.ac.uk/id/eprint/137494

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