3D Printing Services: A Supply Chain Configurations Framework

This paper presents an extended framework for the classification and categorization of 3D printing services, using the findings of two previous studies (carried out by the authors) as a foundation. The work to date revealed that 3D printing services can be separated into three distinct categories based on the configuration of their design-related and manufacturing-related processes: generative, facilitative and selective services. This study examines in more detail 105 of the 558 originally identified 3D printing service providers in Germany, Austria, Switzerland and the Benelux countries, with the goal of further clarifying the main drivers, linkages, buildings blocks and modules that shape these three individual branches of services. These configurations will potentially have wide-ranging impact on the supply chain strategies, structures and operations of the future.