*4.2. Main Research*

Among those manufacturing enterprises to declare themselves users of additive technologies, 29 enterprises from the automotive industry indicated the use of the FDM and EBM methods, while 1 enterprise indicated the use of FDM with 1 company, from the metal industry, indicating the use of EBM technology (Table 1).

A total of 78 companies indicated "other" technologies, of which 23 were from the automotive industry and 55 were from the metal industry. Welding was indicated by 39 enterprises, while for those companies using welding technology, 29 companies indicated using Metal Inert Gas (MIG), Metal Active Gas (MAG), Tungsten Inert Gas (TIG)technology. Material processing was indicated by 18 companies, of which 4 indicated machining with CNC machines. Other companies indicated methods such as aluminium casting, metallisation, plasma-burning, laser cutting, joining sheets, carburising, etc.

Basic research has shown that AM technologies are used in 44% of manufacturing companies in the metal and automotive industries. It is interesting that the number of those respondents, classifying the welding method as the AM method, came to about 15%. It is worth noting that over 11% of respondents, in the automotive industry, declared the use of two AM technologies, namely: FDM and EBM.

Subsequently, the dimensions of the Additive Manufacturing Technology Use were then determined; these are indicated in Table 1:

	- (1) Production processing of machinery and equipment parts made of plastic and metal, including high-precision mechanical parts and components—27 marked answers,
	- (2) Production process of functional prototypes and co-operating mechanisms—29 marked answers,
	- (3) Production process of models used in strength tests, tests and modelling—no company marked an answer.

Four companies simultaneously indicated the production of machinery and equipment parts and the production of prototypes. One company gave the answer "other" indicating that it uses AM technology for the production of machinery and equipment parts and for the provision of services.

	- (1) Prototype and model production process—4 marked answers,
	- (2) 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—54 marked answers,
	- (3) Process of repair and regeneration of complex damaged metal parts—3 marked answers.

Two enterprises, marking their answers "other", indicated that they used AM for the provision of services (1 company) and for machine construction (1 company).

Three companies marking their answer "the injection mould production process" also marked "prototyping", whereas three companies that indicated the process of manufacturing injection moulds also indicated protection and regeneration (2 companies) and the production of semi-finished products (1 company).

A total of 72 enterprises declared their willingness to adopt additive technologies, including 3 companies were interested in FDM technology, while 2 interested companies also marked DMLS; 2 companies in LOM technology, with 1 company also indicating DMLS; 5 companies in DLP technology, including 5 companies also marked DMLS; 1 company in PolyJet technology, with DMLS technology also indicated; 20 companies in DMLS technology, 3 companies also indicated SLS, 2 companies also indicated SLA, 2 companies also indicated EBM; 3 companies in SLS technology; 2 companies in SLA technology; 2 companies in EBM technology and 52 companies marked the answer "other" (Figure 2).

**Figure 2.** Interest in implementing AM in the manufacturing companies surveyed in the metaland automotive industries.

Respondents who ticked "other" indicated, among others, laser technologies (12), robotic technologies (4), powder technologies (1), hardening technologies (4), welding (1), production/application of layers of material (3) bonding of materials (2), regeneration of machine elements (1) (Figure 3). As many as 22 companies answering "other" claimed that, currently, they could not, or were not able to determine what technology they would be interested in, while 2 did not provide any justification for using additive technologies. As results from the analysis of the data obtained, companies are interested in implementing laser technology. This is indicated by declarations of intent to implement the laser sintering of metals-DMLS (20 companies) with justification of the respondents who indicated the answer "other", pointing to technologies using welding, cutting and laser processing (12 companies).

**Figure 3.** Interest in implementing AM. Answers declared by respondents from the automotive and metal industries.

*Appl. Sci.* **2020**, *10*, 735

Companies declaring an interest in implementing additive technologies indicated the following factors that could potentially influence their decision (Figure 4):


**Figure 4.** Factors affecting interest in implementing AM in the manufacturing companies surveyed in the metal and automotive industries.

Analysis of the responses received, with reference to the restrictions (Figure 5) determining the implementation of AM technology, showed that 21 companies indicated the below par performance of devices which had a lengthy printing time, with 13 indicating the poor quality of the products manufactured, 14 indicating the low strength poor clarity of the printed details, while 51 marked the answer "other".

The respondents marked the answer "other" (Figure 6) and indicated their justifications of the answer, with 23 indicating lack of funds, 9 indicating lack of space, 7 did not see the need, 3 indicated the unstable market situation, 2 companies indicated that they were under-staffed, while 3 were unable to give any reasons. Moreover, 3 companies said, in their self-justification, that they were at the 'searching for the right technology' stage or were those companies who intimated that, 'so far, no method had been developed that would meet our expectations'.

Analysing the results obtained, it was found that the main determinants influencing the decision to implement AM technology, in automotive and metal industry manufacturing companies, was the need to reduce costs and the ability to respond quickly to market needs. The research results are in the line with the current development trend of production companies, whose managers are constantly looking for a production system that will allow the company to adapt it to current market needs [34].

**Figure 5.** Restrictions affecting the decision to implement AM in the metal and automotive industry manufacturing companies surveyed.

**Figure 6.** Restrictions affecting the decision to implement AM, in the metal and automotive industry manufacturing companies surveyed. Answers given by the respondents.

#### *4.3. Analysis of the Research Results*

Based on the research results of 250 Polish metal and automotive industry manufacturing companies, the research model (Figure 1) was studied using a correlation and regression approach in order to estimate the impact of using AM technologies in Polish manufacturing enterprises. An analysis of the research results was carried out using Statistica ver.13.3. The data were carefully examined with respect to linearity, equality of variance and normality. No significant deviations were detected. Table 2 presents the correlation analysis, where only the variables, for which the relationships were significant, were summarised, that is, where the technologies used were: FDM, EBM, welding, heat bonding, laser cutting.



where: r2—coefficient of determination; *t*—the value of t statistics examining the significance of the correlation coefficient; *p*—probability value.

The analysis shows significant relationships between:


The importance of a company's dependence on such an impact should be emphasised since such results may encourage further production companies to implement AM technology. Other relationships basically confirm the assumed benefits of using AM technology. FDM technology consists in the layered joining of plastic polymer material extruded through a nozzle, allowing the production of objects of any shape, with the only restriction being the dimensions of the designed element. The relationship between heat bonding the material and reducing the amount of waste can be justified by the maximum use of raw materials. To define the nature of significant interactions of the influence of AM technology use on the increase manufacturing company's competitiveness—in the context of Polish Manufacturing Companies, the study tests the hypotheses using regression analyses which estimate this impact (Equations (1)–(3)).

Based on the analysis, it was noticed that as the use of FDM technology increases, the possibilities for product design (Equation (1), Figure 7).

$$\text{Increasing the possibilites for product design} = 0.0682 + 0.2985 \times \text{FDM} \tag{1}$$

**Figure 7.** Interactions between using Fused Deposition Modelling (FDM) and increasing the possibilities for product design.

The results show that as the use of heat bonding increases the level of reduction in post-production waste increases (Equation (2), Figure 8).

$$1\text{ waste reduction} = 0.0041 \times 0.2459 \times \text{heat bonding} \tag{2}$$

**Figure 8.** Interactions between the use of heat bonding and the reduction of post-production waste.

The results obtained showed that with the increase in the use of laser cutting technology, the level of company development increases significantly (Equation (3), Figure 9).

$$\text{development} = 0.1074 + 0.6426 \times \text{laser cutting} \tag{3}$$

**Figure 9.** Interactions between the use of laser cutting technology and the future possibilities for increased development within an enterprise.

The statistical results showed that the three AM technologies examined are held to have the strongest positive effect on the company's competitiveness. Figure 10 presents the structural model.

**Figure 10.** The structural model.

This study explores the influence of AM Technology use on the increase manufacturing company's competitiveness—in the context of Polish Manufacturing Companies. The statistical results showed that the three AM technologies examined have the strongest positive effect on the company's competitiveness.

In addition, an analysis of dependencies was then made to assess the impact of the factors defined which determine management decisions to change business processes within an enterprise. The research was carried out using Statistica ver.13.3. The data was thoroughly examined for linearity, equality of variance and normality. No significant deviations were found. Tables 3–5 present the correlation analysis, with only those variables for which the relationships were significant—that is, the production process, the prototyping process and the services—being listed.




#### **Table 4.** Correlation analysis: prototyping process.

**Table 5.** Correlation analysis: services.


In both the metal and automotive industries, in analysing the relationship between the use of AM technology in a given process and the effects of their implementation, it was shown that there are significant relationships between the production process and the impact on reducing production costs (Table 3).

Based on Table 4, significant relationships between the prototyping process and the company's development were indicated. Making prototypes of elements using AM technology along with further research in this area will contribute to making more effective construction and production decisions.

Based on the data in Table 5, it was found that enterprises in the automotive industry strive to search for modern solutions, the use of which will reduce the involvement of employees to perform certain services for business partners (Figure 11).

This is understandable, since the boards of production companies indicate that in the west of Poland there is still a shortage of suitably qualified employees. This is an area of research that requires further work, in order to define the possible actions that should be taken by research and development units in the west of Poland, to contribute to the strengthening and intensification of their co-operation with manufacturing companies. In this area, further in-depth research is planned regarding the possibilities of intensifying the co-operation of Polish manufacturing companies with scientific and research units.

**Figure 11.** Interactions between the process of providing services in the automotive industry. vis-à-vis the elimination of human labour.

#### **5. Discussion**

According to the research results within Polish Metal and Automotive Manufacturing Enterprises, it can be concluded that mangers of both metal and automotive companies are aware of the need to implement additive manufacturing technologies, due to the need to be more flexible in responding to customer needs.

Firstly, we discuss the dimensions of the AM technology use. The level of the AM technology use of Polish Automotive Manufacturing Enterprise was determined for two dimensions: (1) production processing of machinery and equipment parts made of plastic and metal and (2) production process of functional prototypes and co-operating mechanisms and of Polish Metal Manufacturing Enterprise for 1 dimension: (1) production process of injection moulds, foundry moulds, highly precise metal constructions and other elements with a complex geometry or requiring high mechanical properties. Research has shown that almost half of the respondents use AM technologies, while in the automotive industry AM are used in a similar ratio in the production of machinery and equipment and for the production of functional prototypes. In the case of the metal industry, AM technologies are almost entirely used in the production of high-precision components with complex geometry, which would be impossible or inefficient to produce using traditional methods.

Secondly, the obtained data allowed to indicate further directions and areas of research, experiments and improvement activities. The research has shown that the automotive industry, due to the continuous development of technology and the dynamic product market, is constantly looking for new solutions that will allow for more free design and construction of elements, reduction of time, stages and costs of production, maximum use of material and quick response to customer needs. This is important information due to the level of awareness of manufacturing companies and understanding of market processes. Managers of manufacturing companies from the automotive industry know the potential and possibilities to achieve the desired effects by applying additive manufacturing technology in the company.

The added value of our research to the recent state of the research field is the definition of knowledge about AM technology in Polish manufacturing enterprises. Based on empirical research conducted in 250 production companies of western Poland, the projected benefits of AM implementation (reduction of costs, personnel, waste) and limitations in the implementation of AM (funds, operational site, staff) were determined. This study allowed to identify the state of knowledge about AM technology and to identify implementation needs both in the area of machine and device production, production of functional prototypes, but also in the area of production of high-precision components with complex geometry. Managers of production companies have indicated that they are mainly interested in technologies that use laser. The data obtained allow the research to be targeted at a specific group of methods using laser technologies. The practical significance of our work is determined in the form of a recommendation for managers to support the selection and implementation of AM technology in the context of obtaining possible benefits for a manufacturing company.

Based on the obtained research, which clearly identify the general limitations that may affect the decision to implement AM in the enterprise, research initiations should be undertaken in the following directions:


Based on the obtained data, another area requiring research was identified in order to increase the efficiency of devices and reduce production time. The second limitation indicated is the lack of funds and hence the inability to finance the implementation and operation of additive manufacturing devices. The metal industry uses AM technologies mainly in the production of high-precision components with complex geometry. The main limitation to implementing AM in enterprises from the metal industry is the lack of funds. This area requires further research to reduce the costs of application and operation of AM devices so that the profitability of AM implementation is achievable in a shorter period of time. Managers see the application potential for AM technology precisely in the area of production of high-precision elements whose production would be impossible or inefficient using traditional production methods. Decisions on the implementation of AM representatives of the automotive industry argue factors influencing both the development of the organization, processes and products themselves, balancing this with a reduction in production costs. In the metal industry, production cost reduction comes first.

The results of the empirical research, here presented, are the response to the need in-depth research, into Industry 4.0. A manufacturing company can be competitive in the market due to the high-quality of the products and services it offers and by implementing new solutions and technologies, e.g., intelligent new material handling systems, multi-agent system of autonomous automated guided vehicle [35,36], in the context of the Industry 4.0 concept [37,38]. Managers are also looking for solutions that will be helpful when deciding on the purchase of new technologies in order to adapt the enterprise to the Industry 4.0. concept.

Like all studies, this one has certain limitations that further research should aim to overcome. Firstly, because the intention is to analyse the influence of AM technology use on the increase manufacturing company's competitiveness, this study focuses on Polish manufacturing industries. It would be unwise to generalize the findings too broadly to other enterprises. Furthermore, all the variables were measured at the same moment in time. So, it would be useful to provide such research over a longer time period. These conclusions and limitations suggest proposals for future research directions.

#### **6. Conclusions**

Research conducted in 250 Polish manufacturing companies has shown that a significant number of companies in the west of Poland use, or are interested in implementing, AM technology. In the pilot studies, the desire to implement AM technology was indicated by some 5% of respondents, while in the main research, this was indicated by some 28.8%, who gave as the deciding factor, the need to reduce production costs and increase flexibility in responding to customer needs. Further work will require research into areas affecting the decision of the management boards of Polish manufacturing companies in order to implement AM technology and develop possible scenarios for co-operation between R&D units and production companies in order to increase the use of AM technology in the west of Poland. Moreover, the results of the empirical research, here presented, have become the motivation for conducting research into the construction of a decision-making system to support the selection and implementation of AM technology in the context of obtaining possible benefits for a production company.

**Author Contributions:** Conceptualization, J.P.-M.; data curation, M.T.; formal analysis, J.P.-M. and M.T.; funding acquisition, J.P.-M.; methodology, J.P.-M., M.T. and S.K.; resources, J.P.-M., M.T. and S.K.; software, S.K.; validation, J.P.-M., M.T. and S.K.; visualization, J.P.-M. and M.T.; writing—original draft, J.P.-M., M.T. and S.K.; writing—review and editing, J.P.-M. and M.T. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

**Funding:** This research was funded by the programme of theMINISTER OF SCIENCE AND HIGHER EDUCATION under the name: "Regional Initiative of Excellence" in 2019–2022 project number 003/RID/2018/19; funding amount 11.936.596.10 PLN.

**Conflicts of Interest:** The authors declare no conflicts of interest.
