3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is becoming the industry standard for manufacturing and prototyping. Although the technology is very old, it gained a huge traction in the past two decades. 3D printing favors unique once-off orders (mass customization) in contrast to mass production. This calls for innovative business models in order to realize economic gains from the technology. Increased product innovations in the global economy also contribute to wide adoption of 3D printing unlike in the old days. A transition in the manufacturing field has brought e-manufacturing and now cloud-based manufacturing. Machines, including 3D printers, in the past were not Internet-enabled but modern designs have the capability of Internet connectivity. Cloud-based 3D printing is a new model of design that has a significant impact on today's entrepreneurs. This article focuses on a business case for a cloud-based approach in consumer product niches. A cloud-based 3D printing business model (3D-Cloud) is developed based on the business model canvas, which promises major breakthroughs in e-entrepreneurship innovation. The model uses a virtual community approach to bring together technocrats, enthusiasts, and shared 3D printer facilities of common interests, whilst promoting an enterprising spirit.
Design thinking is a human-centered, team-based, creative, and iterative process for problem-solving. The process focuses on the end-user and applies empathy skills to gain an understanding of the problem. Unlike other design methodologies, design thinking dwells much on the most prominent user of the design solution. Industry 4.0 is characterized by fast-changing technology, which requires quick time-to-market solutions. Industry 4.0 applications involve more end-user interaction. In order to design products, applications, and systems that end-users will be comfortable to use, designers should engage users throughout the design process. Design thinking brings together key parameters for achieving innovative user-centered design solutions. In addition to bringing together designers to work as multidisciplinary teams, the process factors in a creative environment under which the teams work. The article presents a case study for hands-on learning of design thinking where groups of students were engaged in solving pressing problems encountered by skilled craftsmen in the digital era.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.