Justification Framework for Adoption of Additive Manufacturing to Automotive Supply Chain: AHP Approach

Abstract

Additive Manufacturing holds significant potential in influencing automotive sector and its supply chain however its effectiveness depends on variety of factors. This study aims to propose an analytic hierarchy process model to justify AM implementation to automotive sector for enhanced sustainability and resilience to its supply chain.  This paper outlines benefits of AM over traditional manufacturing for automotive supply chain which leads to development of more sustainable and resilient supply chain. The AHP is used in this study to justify the advantages of the AM over Traditional Manufacturing for automotive supply chain. Major benefits of AM adoption have been identified through recent review of the literature on this topic and expert perspectives. AHP is used to calculate and compare the global desirability index of AMSC and TSC. Comparing AM-based supply chains to traditional manufacturing, it is found that the former have a higher global desirability index.