3D PRINTING FOR END PRODUCTS : A case study of the industry, its capabilities and value chain

Sammanfattning: Our aim is to answer whether or not 3D printing is capable of achieving mass customization and mass production, since answering this might help predict a shift within manufacturing industries and the use that this technology has had the past years. Further, our aim is to give an overall view of the industry of companies offering 3D printed goods for end use through an e-commerce marketplace and its value creating activities. The overall aim is to contribute to fill the academic gap regarding research on 3D printing within the field of mass customization and provide groundwork for future research. To provide the current picture of the industry and thus analyze its capabilities regarding mass production and mass customization, we present the value chain with the involved value creating activities. We have conducted three qualitative interviews to three out of four companies within the industry complemented as well with an exhaustive research to the websites of the companies.