How 3D Printing Subverts Global Production Networks after COVID-19: Evidence from a Labor-Intensive Industry

Table 3

3DP feasibility score for routine manufacturing of different products. Data source: Wohlers reports [34, 39–42], Petersen et al. [21], and Laplume et al. [43].

3Dj score	Routine manufacturing feasibility	Description
1	It is difficult to realize routine 3DP manufacturing in the near future.	The core components of the product are electronic components and chips, or other components that are difficult to make by 3DP, such as wires or small complex power devices.
2	It can be realized in a professional workshop environment.	The product is more suitable to make in a workshop environment due to the technical limitations of 3DP, such as the requirements of the materials, speed, quality, and size. Nearly all the metal printing activities belong to workshop manufacturing.
3	It can be realized at home, but some extraprocessing is needed.	The product may be made of a single nonmetallic material, and the size and printing speed requirements are not high, so it is suitable for home printing. However, the product structure is complex. The home printing staff needs to learn more professional knowledge for extraprocessing.
4	It can be easily realized in the household environment.	The product is suitable for home printing and meets the instant personalized needs of the user; its other requirements are relatively low.