Table 3 WAAM production capabilities...

Table 3

WAAM production capabilities classified by level of importance

WAAM production capabilities		Level of importance*
Category	Item	Level of importance*
RA	Cost reduction	5
RA	Improved material usage	4
SSB	Reduction and simplification of manufacturing steps	4
SSB	Elimination of pre-assembly activities	4
RA	Freedom of design	3
RA	Ability to build lightweight products	3
RA	Ability to optimise products for its function and integrate more functionality into an object	3
SSB	Reduced need for transportation services	3
DSB	Faster reaction to changing customer needs	3
SSB	Facilitated separation between product design and manufacturing tasks	2
DSB	Customised production	2
DSB	Higher customer service level	2
DSB	Production closer to the customer	2
SSB	Reduction of the supplier base	1

WAAM production capabilities		Level of importance*
Category	Item	Level of importance*
RA	Cost reduction	5
RA	Improved material usage	4
SSB	Reduction and simplification of manufacturing steps	4
SSB	Elimination of pre-assembly activities	4
RA	Freedom of design	3
RA	Ability to build lightweight products	3
RA	Ability to optimise products for its function and integrate more functionality into an object	3
SSB	Reduced need for transportation services	3
DSB	Faster reaction to changing customer needs	3
SSB	Facilitated separation between product design and manufacturing tasks	2
DSB	Customised production	2
DSB	Higher customer service level	2
DSB	Production closer to the customer	2
SSB	Reduction of the supplier base	1

Note(s): Capability category: RA – Relative advantage; SSB – Supply-side benefits; DSB – Demand-side benefits

*5 points Likert-type scale from “1 = not important” to “5 = very important”

Sharing Unavailable