From rapid prototyping to home fabrication: How 3D printing is changing business model innovation

• DOI: 10.1016/j.techfore.2015.07.023
• Publication Date: 2015-09-01T11:31:09Z
• Authors: Thierry Rayna; Ludmila Striukova
• Keywords: Rapid Prototyping; New business development; Value (mathematics)

There is a growing consensus that 3D printing technologies will be one of the next major technological revolutions. While lot work has already been carried out as to what these bring in terms product and process innovation, little done on their impact business models model innovation. Yet, history shown revolution without adequate evolution pitfall for many businesses. In case printing, matter further complicated by fact adoption occurred four successive phases (rapid prototyping, rapid tooling, digital manufacturing, home fabrication) correspond different level involvement production process. This article investigates effect each phase key components. prototyping tooling found limited extent, direct manufacturing and, even more so, fabrication have potential highly disruptive. much value can created, capturing become extremely challenging. Hence, finding suitable critical. To this respect, shows change way innovation out, enabling adaptive bringing ‘rapid prototyping’ paradigm itself.