Adding it up: The economic impact of additive manufacturing

Each of these chapters of manufacturing innovation upended the established economics of production, to a greater or lesser extent, leading to significant impacts on the prices of goods, the dynamics of supply chains, business models and labour market conditions. The time and cost-savings that resulted from Ford’s production line, for instance, enabled the company to slash the price of its cars, and pay wages that were unheard of elsewhere in the industry.1 This, in turn, enabled newly enriched factory workers to participate in the growing economy as consumers in their own right.

Automation and the digitisation of manufacturing

In this video, Proto Labs chief technology officer Rich Baker explains how the rapid manufacturing firm digitally automates the process of engineering prototypes parts and products. 

The video forms part of 'The data dimension: Automation and robotics', series examining the role of data in the automation of business and industry. The series of sponsored by Veritas.

Click the links below to read more from the series: 

Technology set to rewrite the laws of manufacturing

The emergence of ‘Industry 4.0’ - essentially, the shift towards more automated, data-driven, ‘smart’ manufacturing - has been accompanied by a wealth of assertions about its transformative potential.

Major investment needed in UK infrastructure

What are the UK‘s infrastructure needs in order to support economic growth while achieving environmental goals. This infographics looks at the investment needed as well as how specific drivers such as population growth have impacted those needs.

From transplants to implants

Will patients welcome the idea of living with artificial organs in their body?

The Future is Already Here

Science fiction films and TV series such as Back to the Future have made predictions on future technology. How accurate are these predictions? How many of these predictions came true? What is the future like at home, in transport and in healthcare?

Growth Crossings: Trade innovations

Trade Innovations

Technology is not only having a profound effect on business in developed markets. Innovations involving robotics, cloud computing and 3D printing are disrupting industries in emerging markets and enabling companies to achieve new efficiencies in the way they operate. How will these technologies affect emerging-market trade, logistics and supply chain management?

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