Strategically, that means additive is becoming a full-fledged competitive weapon: It can be used to hold on to market leadership, to dethrone a dominant player, or to diversify by exploiting a printer’s capability to make products for different industries. Consequently, leaders need to understand additive’s range and potential and the possibilities that will open up in the near future. This article offers a playbook.
WHY IT MATTERS: this Harvard paper shows that recent advances in 3D printing make additive production a reality today. Reading between the lines you have to realize the digital transformation this requires across your sales and distribution channels to support the level of customization that 3D printing enables. It is not just a matter or replacing machines with printers on the factory floor.