Purpose

This article explores a particular on-demand fabrication unit, the microfactory (MF). It identifies and contrasts several MFs and proposes a taxonomy. This research also explores online manufacturing platforms (OMP) that complement certain MFs.

Design/methodology/approach

This research implements a multiple case study (71 cases in 21 countries), triangulating data available on the web with interviews, virtual/physical tours and experiential research.

Findings

The results suggest that automation and openness are the main dimensions that differentiate the MFs. Using these dimensions, a taxonomy of MFs is created. MFs with relatively low automation and high openness tend to be innovation-driven microfactories (IDMFs). MFs with high automation and low openness levels tend to be customization-driven microfactories (CDMFs). And MFs with relatively low automation and low openness tend to be classic machine shops (MSs). There are two types of OMP: closed (COMPs) and multisided (MOMPs). MOMPs can be low-end or high-end.

Practical implications

In a world where online platforms are becoming central to the reinvention of manufacturing, multisided online platforms and small fabricators will become strongly symbiotic.

Originality/value

This paper offers a clearer conceptualization of MFs and OMPs, which may help to better understand the reality of local on-demand fabrication. Moreover, it explores a new type of experiential research, which tries to describe and interpret firms through transactional activities. Many details of a firm that are difficult to capture via interviews and netnography can be revealed this way.

中文翻译：

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本地按需制造：微型工厂和在线制造平台

目的

本文探讨了特定的按需制造单元，即微型工厂（MF）。它确定并对比了几个MF，并提出了分类法。这项研究还探索了补充某些MF的在线制造平台（OMP）。

设计/方法/方法

这项研究实施了一个多案例研究（21个国家的71个案例），通过访谈，虚拟/物理旅行和体验研究对网络上可用的数据进行了三角剖分。

发现

结果表明，自动化和开放性是区分MF的主要维度。使用这些维度，可以创建MF的分类法。自动化程度相对较低且开放度较高的MF往往是创新驱动的微型工厂（IDMF）。具有高度自动化和低开放度的MF往往是定制驱动的微型工厂（CDMF）。具有相对较低的自动化和低开放性的MF往往是经典的机械车间（MS）。OMP有两种类型：封闭（COMP）和多面（MOMP）。MOMP可以是低端或高端。

实际影响

在当今世界，在线平台已成为制造业重塑的核心，多面在线平台和小型制造商将成为共生的强者。

创意/价值

本文提供了更清晰的MF和OMP概念，这可能有助于更好地了解本地按需制造的现实。此外，它探索了一种新型的经验研究，该研究试图通过交易活动来描述和解释公司。可以通过这种方式揭示公司的许多细节，这些细节很难通过访谈和网络技术掌握。