Where digital meets physical innovation: Reverse salients and the unrealized dreams of3Dprinting

• DOI: 10.1111/jpim.12681
• Publication Date: 2023-06-10T05:13:55Z
• Authors: Thierry Rayna; Joel West
• Keywords: Digital Manufacturing; Reverse engineering

Abstract For more than three decades, enthusiasts have predicted that direct manufacturing enabled by 3D printing would inevitably supplant traditional methods. Alas, for nearly as long, these utopian predictions failed to materialize. One reason is a flawed assumption hybrid digital‐physical systems such advance rapidly purely digital innovations Moore's law. Instead, like other examples of cyber‐physical (CPSs), technological progress in faces inherent limitations are emblematic the differences between CPSs and innovations. As with any complex CPS, improved performance system has been limited its key components—the sort limiting problem previously defined reverse salient. Unlike studied technologies, several salients neither resolved nor signs resolving soon. Here we analyze salients, show how they hampered suitability applications. We contrast versus actual capabilities printing‐enabled transformation six areas: product innovation, mass customization, home fabrication, distributed manufacturing, supply chain optimization business model innovation. From this, suggest opportunities greater realism future research, well broader implications our understanding salients.