Knowledge Base Repository
In addition to research papers, the Design Society is developing several valuable resources for those interested in the study of design. These include a repository of PhD theses, a library of case studies and transcripts of design activities, and an archive of our newsletters. Please note that these resources are accessible exclusively to Design Society members.
Workflow-based Opportunity Assessment for Additive Manufacturing
Brahma, Arindam; Hajali, Tina; Isaksson, Ola
Type:
Year:
2026
Editor:
Langner, Christopher; Kreimeyer, Matthias; Panarotto, Massimo; Cascini, Gaetano; Browning, Tyson R.; Eppinger, Steven D.; Yassine, Ali A.
Author:
Series:
DSM
Institution:
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Chalmers University of Technology, Sweden
Page(s):
091-100
DOI number:
ISBN:
NA
ISSN:
NA
Abstract:
Additive manufacturing (AM) offers substantial value-creation opportunities across design, digital, organisational, and strategic domains, yet industrial uptake remains uneven because firms lack structured methods to identify where in their existing workflow AM is most likely to create value. This paper proposes a workflow-based opportunity assessment method that represents the workflow as a design structure matrix, augments it with nine literature-derived opportunity factors to form a multi-domain matrix, populates the dependencies with opportunity likelihood and impact values, and applies the Change Prediction Method to compute aggregated incoming and outgoing opportunity. The method is demonstrated on a low-volume lifting tool case at a Swedish OEM. Results identify the AM design step as the dominant opportunity multiplier, design realisation as an internal hub, and qualification readiness and strategic positioning as the principal sinks of accumulated value, providing managers with a structured basis for prioritising AM interventions.
Keywords:
