Additive Manufacturing Part I

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From the course by BCG

Digital Transformation

786 ratings

BCG

Digital Transformation

786 ratings

Digital transformation is a hot topic--but what exactly is it and what does it mean for companies? In this course, we talk about digital transformation in two ways. First we discuss the pace of change and the imperative it creates for businesses. Next we provide the context for this transformation and what it takes to win in the digital age. Then we walk through BCG's proprietary framework, which helps you identify key areas to digitize, including strategy, core processes, and technology. By the end of this course, you'll be able to: --describe the underlying economics of innovation, technology, and market disruptions --weigh the pros and cons of current digital technologies driving advancement --utilize BCG's digital transformation framework as a ""how-to"" for digitizing your organization

From the lesson

Digital Trends Past and Future

Change as a constant has never been truer than with digital transformations. This week we will look at the key drivers of digital transformation, opportunities they have already established and the challenges they bring. Then we will explore emerging trends and technologies, what is possible/likely in the future, and currently what we're seeing in practice.

Internet of Things10:03

Additive Manufacturing Part I4:57

Additive Manufacturing Part II6:03

Cyber Security Part I8:15

Cyber Security Part II5:02

Meet the Instructors

Michael Lenox
Senior Associate Dean and Chief Strategy Officer
Darden School of Business
Amane Dannouni
Principal at Boston Consulting Group, Singapore
Sonja Rueger
Project Leader, Boston Consulting Group
Ching Fong Ong
Senior Partner and Managing Director, Boston Consulting Group

Have you heard the term additive manufacturing?

If you haven't, you've probably heard of its brother, 3D Printing.

Generally speaking, both terms mean the same.

Additive manufacturing is more often used in industrial context,

whereas the general public refers to 3D printing.

Additive manufacturing or AM is one of the main digital trends for sure.

But unlike most of the other trends we have discussed so

far, it has a very tangible effect on our physical world.

It is about creating real physical products that you can see and touch.

Let me give you some examples of AM breakthroughs in different industries.

In 2014 for example surgeons in Wales used a 3D printer to

reconstruct the facial bones of a man injured in a motorcycle accident.

That was the start of the 3D printing rise in medicine.

In 2015, the FDA has approved Bitron as the first 3D printer drug.

It is used to reduce seizures for epileptic patients.

The 3D printing technology allows the pill to disintegrate in the mouth

with just a little bit of water, which helps to swallow the pill.

In 2017, Reebok announced to 3D print its next line of shoes by

the new liquid efffectory method.

And there are many more examples like this.

Let's first take a look on how AM actually works.

In traditional manufacturing, also called subtractive manufacturing,

shapes are cut out of blocks of material.

Additive manufacturing is basically the opposite.

Usually, the process of three key phases.

First, a digital representation of the object is spelled, either by building it

into the design software, or by scanning a real life object.

Second, the digital model is sliced into multiple layers

of less than 100 micrometers each.

And then third, the sliced model is sent to a 3D printer that is creating

a three-dimensional object through successive adding of layers of material.

That material can be plastics, ceramics or even metals.

In reality,

there are many variations of this process using different technological solutions.

From FDM, fused deposition modeling, to SLA, for

Stereolithography, to SLS, selective laser centering.

Unfortunately, we don't have the time to go into detail here.

But check those out on YouTube, it's really impressive.

As you can see, additive manufacturing is a reality already.

And although it's still an emerging technology,

it has seen strong growth in the last few years.

Since 2012, companies in the private sector have

invested more than 1 billion in AM related R&D facilities,

centers of excellence and pilot production plans.

In 2015, the overall 3D printing market totaled $5 billion.

And is projected to triple by 2020 and to reach 350 billion by 2035.

This growth is fueled by multi-technological

advancement that made 3D printing more and more mainstream.

First, 3D printers are becoming affordable.

While the entry price few years ago was $5,000,

you can now buy a decent one at $500.

So few years from now,

having a 3D printer in your house will not be uncommon anymore.

But let's talk about this a little later.

Similar to the price for the printer itself,

the required materials are becoming less and less expensive and more diverse.

And last, but not least, new 3D printers can now print parts in minutes

instead of hours or 25 to 100 times faster than previous printers.

For GEs CEO Jeff Immelt, for example,

additive manufacturing is a key part of GEs evolution into a digital company.

They have invested heavily in R&D in-house, but

have also acquired AM suppliers.

By 2017, they succeeded in 3D printing 50% of the parts

of a helicopter engine, making it 40% lighter and 60% cheaper.

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