(1) Background: Products, manufactured using additive manufacturing technologies (AM) are increasingly present on the market. The research was undertaken to determine the possibilities of increasing the use of AM technology in Polish manufacturing companies. The aim of the paper is to determinate the level of the AM technology use of Polish Metal and Automotive Manufacturing and the influence of AM technology use on the increase of manufacturing company’s competitiveness–in the context of Polish Manufacturing Companies. (2) Methods: This paper uses literature studies to determinate the AM technology used within the production processes in the automotive and metal industry companies (so called dimensions) and a questionnaire survey, which was carried out on a sample of 250 Polish Metal and Automotive Manufacturing Enterprises. (3) Results: The results were verified by a statistical analysis, using correlation coefficients. Based on the data obtained, it was determined that both metal and automotive Polish companies use, or have in their investment plans, the implementation of AM technology, due to the need to reduce production costs and increase speed and flexibility when responding to customer needs. Moreover, the relationship between applied additive manufacturing technologies and the effects of their use, in enterprises, was analysed. The novelty of our work is defining the dimensions of the AM technology use for our empirical research and determining the influence of AM technology use on the increase Polish manufacturing company’s competitiveness. (4) Conclusions: The possibilities of using the results of research in economic practice were demonstrated. We also highlighted the impracticality for managers to support the selection and implementation of AM technology in the context of obtaining possible benefits for a manufacturing company.
Nowadays, it is necessary to formulate and implement a development strategy in manufacturing enterprises, in line with the assumptions of the Industry 4.0 concept. In this context, a gap in the research has been observed in effective management methods, in order to gain a competitive advantage through the implementation and use of Additive Manufacturing (AM) technologies. The main purpose of the study is to build a new approach to management, based on the implementation of new AM technologies and good practice. This paper uses the detailed literature studies and results from the empirical research of some 250 Polish manufacturing enterprises; this material contains a sample thereof, processed into a new approach. The major contributions of the work are as follows: (1) identification of current management areas in which manufacturing companies focus their activities, in the context of Industry 4.0, (2) the establishment of the correlation between gaining a competitive advantage and implementing AM technologies in the context of Industry 4.0, (3) Defining the so-called AM4.0CARD as a new management approach, based on AM technologies and the requirements of Industry 4.0. Managers of manufacturing enterprises, thanks to the use of the proposed approach, may take a strategic decision, regarding the implementation of AM technologies, due to the possibility of forecasting the impact of such an investment on the improvement of the company's competitive advantage.
The changes caused by Industry 4.0 determine the decisions taken by manufacturing companies. Their activities are aimed at adapting processes and products to dynamic market requirements. Additive manufacturing technologies (AM) are the answer to the needs of enterprises. The implementation of AM technology brings many benefits, although for most 3D printing techniques it is also relatively expensive. Therefore, the implementation process should be preceded by an appropriate analysis, in order, finally, to assess the solution. This article presents the concept of using the Bayesian network when planning the implementation of AM technology. The use of the presented model allows the level of the success of the implementation of selected AM technology, to be estimated under given environmental conditions.
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