ABSTRACT
The emerging proliferation of 3D printing has made it imperative that careful and structural assessment be instituted for 3D-printing products. The conventional product development environment is vastly different from what 3D printing will require. Hitherto, individuals and organizations have been jumping on the 3D-printing bandwagon without strategic consideration of downstream and upstream aspects of 3D printing of products. This chapter introduces the application of the existing DEJI model for 3D-product design, evaluation, justification, and integration. The model is recommended as a complementary approach to executing new 3D-printing products. The approach will facilitate a better alignment of product technology with future development and needs. Some of the benefits that can be derived from using a systems model to guide 3D-printing product development include operational effectiveness, raw material efficiency, higher return on investment curve, rapid product deployment, growth potentials, flexibility, and anywhere-anytime production agility.
