Purpose

This paper addresses the most important factors for the selection of additive manufacturing (AM) technology as a method of production of metal parts. AM creates objects by adding material layer by layer based on 3D models. At present, interest in AM is high as it is hoped that AM contributes to the competitiveness of Western manufacturing industries.

Design/methodology/approach

A literature study is conducted to identify the factors that affect the selection of AM technology. Expert interviews and the best–worst method are used to prioritize these factors based on relative factor weights.

Findings

Technology, demand, environment and supply-related factors are categorized and further mapped to offer a holistic picture of AM technology selection. According to expert assessments, market demand was ranked highest, although market demand is currently lacking.

Research limitations/implications

The composition and size of the expert panel and the framing of some of the factors in light of previous literature cause validity limitations. Further research is encouraged to differentiate the selection factors for different AM implementation projects.

Originality/value

The paper presents a more complete framework of factors for innovation selection in general and the selection of AM technology specifically. This framework can serve as a basis for future studies on technology selection in the (additive) manufacturing sector and beyond. In addition to AM-specific factor weights, the paper explains why specific factors are important, reducing uncertainty for managers that have to choose between alternative manufacturing technologies.

中文翻译：

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金属增材制造技术选择的因素

目的

本文探讨了选择增材制造（AM）技术作为金属零件生产方法的最重要因素。AM通过基于3D模型逐层添加材料来创建对象。目前，人们对AM的兴趣很高，因为希望AM对西方制造业的竞争力有所贡献。

设计/方法/方法

进行了文献研究来确定影响AM技术选择的因素。专家访谈和最佳/最差方法用于根据相对因子权重对这些因子进行优先级排序。

发现

对技术，需求，环境和供应相关的因素进行了分类和进一步映射，以提供AM技术选择的整体情况。根据专家评估，尽管目前缺乏市场需求，但市场需求排名最高。

研究局限/意义

根据先前的文献，专家小组的组成和规模以及某些因素的框架造成了有效性限制。鼓励进行进一步的研究，以区分不同的AM实施项目的选择因素。

创意/价值

本文提出了一个更完整的框架，这些框架总体上是创新选择的因素，尤其是AM技术的选择。该框架可以作为（增材制造）行业及其他领域未来技术选择研究的基础。除了AM特定因子权重之外，本文还解释了为什么特定因子很重要，从而减少了必须在替代制造技术之间进行选择的管理人员的不确定性。