ABSTRACT
3D printing technology is now over 30 years old. This chapter is a call to arms for product designers to lead the development and implementation of 3D printing in a world facing the new and fluctuating challenges described in Chapter 8, as well as throughout the book. It summarises the key barriers for 3D printing adoption that need to be overcome and recommends product designers construct effective frameworks to maximise additive manufacturing for manufacturing clients. Alongside the advantages to individual companies, this approach has the potential to provide global societal benefits, as consumerism shifts beyond mass production to a personalised, print-on-demand, value-added system. The cost to the environment of established mass-production practice is too high, and a more value-added, print-on-demand approach will help to redirect the economy. Yet these ideals contrast with a current adoption of 3D printing, driven by equipment manufacturers. Beyond engaging with this book, what can product designers do to transform manufacturing for the twenty-first century? How will we look back on this time in another 30 years of 3D printing technology developments? This chapter spurs broader thinking about what is an exciting technology, but ultimately a technology that is directed by people and companies. Can we do better? The chapter concludes a book that is designed to provide product designers with the tools and structure to lead the appropriate adoption of 3D printing technology, working realistically with the manufacturing systems in place whilst steering the stakeholders, from machinists to customers, towards a more sustainable and enabled future.
