Achieving Sustainability in Manufacturing through Additive Manufacturing: An Analysis of Its Enablers

Abstract

The manufacturing sector has undergone significant growth due to the integration of technologies from the Fourth Industrial Revolution. Industry 4.0 has revolutionized industrial operations, leading to increased utilization of smart and automated systems in manufacturing. Among these technologies is additive manufacturing (AM), which has been widely adopted in various industries to enhance new product development with minimal time constraints. This research aimed to identify and analyze the potential enablers of AM that support its adoption in the manufacturing sector. This study identified 15 enablers through a literature review, and they were analyzed using a grey decision-making trial and evaluation laboratory (DEMATEL)-based multicriteria decision-making technique. The results were used to develop a causal diagram that depicts the enablers in cause and effect groups. This study provides insights that will help manufacturing firms adopt AM by identifying its enablers and benefits. Overall, this study is significant as it contributes to a deeper understanding of AM technology and its potential enablers, thus facilitating its adoption in the manufacturing sector.