We have categorized 1 documents as 3D Printing. All documents are displayed on this page.

"The future of manufacturing will make Star Trek replicators look primitive," opined Marc Andreessen, co-founder of influential Silicon Valley venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz. Andreessen's prediction pertains to the blossoming field of 3D printing—a technology that is set to redefine industries across the spectrum, from healthcare to the automotive industry with Fortune 500 companies keenly interested in harnessing these advancements.Learn more about 3D Printing.

Did you know?
The average daily rate of a McKinsey consultant is $6,625 (not including expenses). The average price of a Flevy document is $65.


Trusted by over 10,000+ Client Organizations
Since 2012, we have provided best practices to over 10,000 businesses and organizations of all sizes, from startups and small businesses to the Fortune 100, in over 130 countries.
AT&T GE Cisco Intel IBM Coke Dell Toyota HP Nike Samsung Microsoft Astrazeneca JP Morgan KPMG Walgreens Walmart 3M Kaiser Oracle SAP Google E&Y Volvo Bosch Merck Fedex Shell Amgen Eli Lilly Roche AIG Abbott Amazon PwC T-Mobile Broadcom Bayer Pearson Titleist ConEd Pfizer NTT Data Schwab




Read Customer Testimonials

  •  
    "[Flevy] produces some great work that has been/continues to be of immense help not only to myself, but as I seek to provide professional services to my clients, it give me a large "tool box" of resources that are critical to provide them with the quality of service and outcomes they are expecting."

    – Royston Knowles, Executive with 50+ Years of Board Level Experience
  •  
    "As a niche strategic consulting firm, Flevy and FlevyPro frameworks and documents are an on-going reference to help us structure our findings and recommendations to our clients as well as improve their clarity, strength, and visual power. For us, it is an invaluable resource to increase our impact and value."

    – David Coloma, Consulting Area Manager at Cynertia Consulting
  •  
    "Flevy is our 'go to' resource for management material, at an affordable cost. The Flevy library is comprehensive and the content deep, and typically provides a great foundation for us to further develop and tailor our own service offer."

    – Chris McCann, Founder at Resilient.World
  •  
    "I have found Flevy to be an amazing resource and library of useful presentations for lean sigma, change management and so many other topics. This has reduced the time I need to spend on preparing for my performance consultation. The library is easily accessible and updates are regularly provided. A wealth of great information."

    – Cynthia Howard RN, PhD, Executive Coach at Ei Leadership
  •  
    "My FlevyPro subscription provides me with the most popular frameworks and decks in demand in today’s market. They not only augment my existing consulting and coaching offerings and delivery, but also keep me abreast of the latest trends, inspire new products and service offerings for my practice, and educate me "

    – Bill Branson, Founder at Strategic Business Architects
  •  
    "I am extremely grateful for the proactiveness and eagerness to help and I would gladly recommend the Flevy team if you are looking for data and toolkits to help you work through business solutions."

    – Trevor Booth, Partner, Fast Forward Consulting
  •  
    "As a small business owner, the resource material available from FlevyPro has proven to be invaluable. The ability to search for material on demand based our project events and client requirements was great for me and proved very beneficial to my clients. Importantly, being able to easily edit and tailor "

    – Michael Duff, Managing Director at Change Strategy (UK)
  •  
    "One of the great discoveries that I have made for my business is the Flevy library of training materials.

    As a Lean Transformation Expert, I am always making presentations to clients on a variety of topics: Training, Transformation, Total Productive Maintenance, Culture, Coaching, Tools, Leadership Behavior, etc. Flevy "

    – Ed Kemmerling, Senior Lean Transformation Expert at PMG



Flevy Management Insights: 3D Printing

"The future of manufacturing will make Star Trek replicators look primitive," opined Marc Andreessen, co-founder of influential Silicon Valley venture capital firm Andreessen Horowitz. Andreessen's prediction pertains to the blossoming field of 3D printing—a technology that is set to redefine industries across the spectrum, from healthcare to the automotive industry with Fortune 500 companies keenly interested in harnessing these advancements.

For effective implementation, take a look at these 3D Printing best practices:

Explore related management topics: Venture Capital Manufacturing Healthcare

The Emergence of 3D Printing in Strategic Management

3D printing, or additive manufacturing, is a process that creates three-dimensional objects from a digital file. It has revolutionized traditional manufacturing methods by enabling businesses to produce complex, custom-designed parts with high precision and minimal material wastage. This technology presents unprecedented opportunities in Strategic Planning, Digital Transformation, Business Transformation, and Innovation, necessitating its focus in the discussions of top-tier management worldwide.

Explore related management topics: Digital Transformation Business Transformation Strategic Planning Innovation

The Management Approach to 3D Printing

Firms hoping to utilize 3D printing effectively must adopt a cross-functional approach. Seamless integration into existing processes can be achieved through careful Strategy Development and Change Management. Leaders should also instill a Culture that encourages technological exploration and adaptation to foster Innovation and Operational Excellence.

Explore related management topics: Operational Excellence Change Management Strategy Development

3D Printing's Impact on Industries—and Profits

A McKinsey report estimates the total economic impact of 3D printing technology to reach up to $550 billion annually by 2025, underscoring the significant potential for value creation. Companies such as Ford, GE, and Boeing already leverage the technology for product development and manufacturing, signifying the extensive applicability of this technology.

  • Ford: The auto giant uses 3D printing to prototype parts for testing, aiming for better fuel efficiency and lower costs.
  • General Electric (GE): Uses additive manufacturing to create fuel nozzles for its LEAP engine, reducing the part count from 18 to 1, thus saving on production time and costs.
  • Boeing: The aerospace powerhouse incorporates 3D printing in manufacturing, producing over 20,000 3D-printed parts for its various aerospace platforms.

Such real-world applications highlight the paradigm shift towards customized production, cost efficiency, and heightened innovation.

Explore related management topics: Value Creation Product Development Production

Key Principles for Implementing 3D printing

In deploying 3D printing initiatives, executives should consider these crucial steps:

  1. Identify Opportunities: Align 3D printing potential with business objectives. Collaboration between stakeholders across departments can identify areas where the technology can generate maximum value.
  2. Build Internal Capabilities: Invest in employee training and infrastructure. A competitive edge in 3D printing requires a skilled workforce and state-of-the-art machinery.
  3. Institute Governance: Ensure smooth integration by modifying or establishing new governance structures. Procedures such as quality control, supply chain alterations, and hierarchical oversight can facilitate successful implementation.
  4. Monitor Progress: Assess the impact of 3D printing initiatives periodically. A robust Performance Management system can measure progress towards key business goals and provide data-driven insights.

3D printing offers an untold wave of possibilities in Strategic Management. However, integrating it requires careful consideration and due diligence. Successful adoption necessitates an open-minded yet thoughtful approach, emphasizing collaboration, ongoing skills development, and proactive Risk Management. As more firms join the 3D printing revolution, those that leverage it optimally will likely lead the Industry 4.0 era in their respective sectors.

Explore related management topics: Employee Training Performance Management Risk Management Supply Chain Due Diligence Quality Control Industry 4.0 Governance

3D Printing FAQs

Here are our top-ranked questions that relate to 3D Printing.

What are the ethical considerations companies must address when adopting 3D printing technologies, especially in terms of intellectual property and copyright issues?
Companies adopting 3D printing must address ethical considerations around Intellectual Property (IP) and copyright, employing strategies like robust IP management, leveraging technology for protection, and fostering industry collaboration to balance innovation with respect for creators' rights. [Read full explanation]
How can companies ensure data security and protect proprietary designs when using cloud-based 3D printing services?
Ensure Data Security and Protect Proprietary Designs in Cloud-Based 3D Printing with a Comprehensive Security Framework, Reputable Partners, and Best Practices in Data Management. [Read full explanation]
In what ways can 3D printing contribute to a company's sustainability goals, particularly in reducing waste and carbon footprint?
3D printing advances Sustainability and Operational Excellence by reducing material waste and energy use, optimizing Supply Chain Management, and lowering carbon emissions through efficient production and localized manufacturing. [Read full explanation]
What are the challenges and opportunities for supply chain management with the widespread adoption of 3D printing technologies?
3D printing presents opportunities for Supply Chain Simplification, Inventory Management, Cost Reduction, and Customization, but challenges include ensuring Product Quality, addressing IP and Security Risks, and requiring Strategic Planning and Investment for effective integration. [Read full explanation]

Recommended Documents

Related Case Studies

3D Printing Strategic Initiative for Semiconductor Manufacturer

Scenario: The organization in question operates within the semiconductor industry and is grappling with the challenge of integrating 3D printing technologies into their manufacturing processes.

Read Full Case Study

3D Printing Strategic Initiative for Industrials in North America

Scenario: Within the industrials sector, a North American company specializing in aerospace components is struggling to integrate 3D printing into its manufacturing workflows efficiently.

Read Full Case Study

3D Printing Process Advancement for Aerospace Manufacturer

Scenario: An aerospace firm is grappling with the integration of 3D printing technologies into their manufacturing workflow.

Read Full Case Study

3D Printing Advancement in Maritime Operations

Scenario: The organization is a global maritime operator facing challenges in maintaining and repairing its fleet due to the logistics of sourcing and delivering parts.

Read Full Case Study

Explore all Flevy Management Case Studies




Flevy is the world's largest knowledge base of best practices.


Leverage the Experience of Experts.

Find documents of the same caliber as those used by top-tier consulting firms, like McKinsey, BCG, Bain, Deloitte, Accenture.

Download Immediately and Use.

Our PowerPoint presentations, Excel workbooks, and Word documents are completely customizable, including rebrandable.

Save Time, Effort, and Money.

Save yourself and your employees countless hours. Use that time to work on more value-added and fulfilling activities.



Download our FREE Digital Transformation Templates

Download our free compilation of 50+ Digital Transformation slides and templates. DX concepts covered include Digital Leadership, Digital Maturity, Digital Value Chain, Customer Experience, Customer Journey, RPA, etc.