ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING AS A DISRUPTIVE TECHNOLOGY: HOW TO AVOID THE PITFALL

This paper proposes a framework for management as a viable approach in preparation for Additive Manufacturing (AM) as a disruptive technology. This framework by no means guarantees total preparedness, as many other factors influence a company's dynamics. However, what it does is, create awareness of a possible threat and provide a framework that managers can utilize to help minimize the impact and better position their organizations for future success. The nature of AM is discussed and compared to conventional manufacturing processes. Constraint Management (CM), a derivative of the Theory of Constraints (TOC), is also discussed and proposed as a guide for management in the event AM becomes a disruptive technology to conventional manufacturing processes.