*2.4. Technologies Based on the Method of Curing Material by Direct Energy Supply (LENS, EBAM)*

This technology allows elements to be produced by directly melting materials and depositing them on the workpiece, layer by layer. The LENS process must take place in a hermetically sealed, argon-filled chamber so that the oxygen and moisture levels are kept very low. This keeps the manufactured item clean and prevents oxidation. The metal powder is delivered directly to the head which deposits the material. After depositing a single layer, the head which deposits the material advances to the next layer. The whole section is constructed by building successive layers. Once completed, the element is removed and can be processed or finished in any way. EBAM is an additive manufacturing technology that produces large-scale metal structures. The EB gun deposits the metal with a wire, layer by layer, until the element reaches a grid-like shape and is ready for its final treatment [11–13,22,24,25,27].

This article offers an explanation of the influence the AM technology use on increase the manufacturing company's competitiveness. On the basis of the current analysis of the literature on the subject and of the defined dimensions of the AM technology use a questionnaire was developed, based on which, pilot studies of the first stage were conducted, followed by the main research into the Polish automotive and metal manufacturing companies, regarding the use of additive manufacturing technology. This study assumes also that those workers who were involved in the survey realize at least 80% of the defined dimensions associated with the dimensions of the of the AM technology use. The surveys applied for testing the research model (Figure 1) were developed by defining scales to fit the knowledge codification meaning.

Factors of dimensions of the AM technology use were based on feedback surveys and their sources are listed here: The dimensions of the of the Additive Manufacturing Technology Use: I know that in my company the use AM technologies during the business processes, namely in automotive industry: DA11-production processing of machinery and equipment parts made of plastic and metal, including high-precision mechanical parts and components, DA12-production process of functional prototypes and co-operating mechanisms, DA13-production process of models used in strength tests, tests and modelling; in metal industry: DM11-prototype and model production process, DM12-production process of injection moulds, foundry moulds, highly precise metal constructions and other elements with a complex geometry or requiring high mechanical properties, the production of which would

often not be possible by means of foundry technologies, DM13-process of repair and regeneration of complex damaged metal parts is: factor0: not very important/ factor1: very important.

**Figure 1.** Research model.

The Polish manufacturing company's competitiveness: I know that in my company the realization of the work activities using Additive Manufacturing Technology, is: factor0: not very important/factor1: very important for C1-reduction of production costs, C2-effective use of material, C3-freedom in product design, C4-no assembly stage, C5-product personalisation to meet specific customer requirements, C6-quick response to market needs, C7-optimisation of product functions, C8-development, C9-elimination of human labour, C10-waste reduction/lower energy consumption.

The data for this study were collected from 250 Polish manufacturing enterprises between October to November, 2019.
