Vertical Integration and Additive Manufacturing: A Strategy for Speed

Conference Abstract: Adopting a new technology/innovation, like additive manufacturing, at a company or organization can be a challenging task. Having a new technology that is also mature enough is one thing but getting other key stakeholders at the company to “buy into” the technology is the hurdle that many often face. A vertically integrated company structure, where a large percentage of the components are manufactured on-site, can help others who aren’t familiar with additive manufacturing attain confidence and understanding of the technology’s strengths and weaknesses. A hands-on, in-person, collaborative approach is essential to convey additive manufacturing’s capabilities and how that translates to a part or product’s design intent and later to its final, manufactured form quickly.