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 customisation 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.

• Highlights

• Extends the strategically important concept of the product-process matrix to accommodate both variety and customisation measures.

• Uses empirical data gained from five commercial Additive Manufacturing companies to examine the implications for the Product Process Matrix.

• Examines characteristics of Additive Manufacturing and its products that support alignment and divergence from established theory.

摘要

数量、品种和工艺选择之间的关系是制造研究和实践的基本原则，并且通过产品-工艺矩阵，管理者在工艺选择中传统的灵活性和成本二元目标之间取得平衡。在本文中，我们检查了增材制造系统对传统权衡的遵守情况，并确定了它们偏离这些既定规范的情况。利用工程理念，我们开发了产品工艺矩阵的扩展，以适应品种和定制措施，用于评估与五家主要增材制造公司进行的案例研究。十五个案例研究为研究提供了信息，这些研究来自广泛的行业部门。采取了定性的方法，使用半结构化访谈和过程观察。该研究表明，增材制造系统可以支持与既定理论的对齐和分离。在许多情况下，证明了对传统产品过程矩阵“对角线”的一般一致性。然而，一些案例显示出明显的偏差，证明了批量和流水线生产的品种和数量都取得了成就。通过对焦点案例的详细探索，我们强调了有助于克服传统权衡限制的产品和增材制造系统的特征。证明了对传统产品过程矩阵“对角线”的总体一致性。然而，一些案例显示出明显的偏差，证明了批量和流水线生产的品种和数量都取得了成就。通过对焦点案例的详细探索，我们强调了有助于克服传统权衡限制的产品和增材制造系统的特征。证明了对传统产品过程矩阵“对角线”的总体一致性。然而，一些案例显示出明显的偏差，证明了批量和流水线生产的品种和数量都取得了成就。通过对焦点案例的详细探索，我们强调了有助于克服传统权衡限制的产品和增材制造系统的特征。

• 强调

• 扩展产品过程矩阵的具有战略意义的重要概念，以适应品种和定制措施。

• 使用从五家商业增材制造公司获得的经验数据来检查对产品流程矩阵的影响。

• 检查增材制造及其产品的特征，这些特征支持与既定理论的一致性和分歧。