3D Printing: Effects and Benefits to Selected Manufacturing Companies' Product Development Process

Abstract

With 3D printing technology making waves in the global market, the need to assess its effects and implications in the Philippines also arises. Few manufacturing companies in the Philippines have only started adopting this technology a few years ago. This study assessed the effects and benefits of using 3D Printing technology in Product Development Process of selected manufacturing companies. Specifically, the study found out the degree of helpfulness on the product development process as stipulated by Ulrich and Eppinger. The study also found out the benefits as well as the challenges the respondents are experiencing towards the adaptation of 3D printing technology. The study used descriptive method of research and a survey questionnaire have been administered as the research instrument. The survey questions were carefully crafted from the theoretical framework from the Generic Product Development Process by Ulrich and Eppinger and from the parallel study on Malaysia in 2016. The findings revealed that there were differences on the assessment of 3D printing as to the helpfulness, benefits as well as challenges between the companies and from the Malaysian study in 2016. Further research has to be done to study 3D printing on a broader perspective when the technology has gained wider user-acceptance to provide better insights and properly address any missed opportunities about its helpfulness.