Short answer

When designing for industries in regions with complex supply chains and infrastructure limitations, explore how additive manufacturing can enable localized production and reduce reliance on traditional, often unreliable, supply networks.

Field: Final Production
Source: Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences Technology (2023)
Method: Literature review, expert interviews, case study analysis
Evidence: Strong effect

A structured framework can guide the adoption of metal additive manufacturing in Africa's oil and gas sector, addressing unique supply chain, infrastructure, and workforce challenges to enhance operational efficiency and competitiveness. This final production research insight is drawn from a 2023 study published in Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences Technology. Using Literature review, expert interviews, case study analysis, researchers explored how this design variable affects real-world outcomes. The key design takeaway: When designing for industries in regions with complex supply chains and infrastructure limitations, explore how additive manufacturing can enable localized production and reduce reliance on traditional, often unreliable, supply networks.

Study

Final ProductionRecentStrong effect

Metal Additive Manufacturing Framework Boosts African Oil & Gas Efficiency

Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences Technology · 2023

Key Findings

01Metal additive manufacturing offers a solution to persistent supply chain challenges in Africa's oil and gas sector.
02Key barriers to adoption include unstable electricity, remote locations, limited manufacturing facilities, cultural shifts, and quality control concerns.
03A phased approach involving technology assessment, workforce training, and strategic planning is crucial for successful integration.
04The framework can facilitate prototyping, customized tooling, complex component fabrication, and spare part production.

Application

Design takeaway

How to apply

When designing components or systems for the African oil and gas sector, investigate the feasibility of producing them locally using metal additive manufacturing, considering the framework's stages for assessment, training, and strategic planning.

Project actions

01Consider how supply chain issues in your chosen context might be addressed by alternative manufacturing methods.
02Investigate the specific infrastructure and resource limitations of your target region when proposing design solutions.

Method & Evidence

AimTo develop and validate a framework for the adoption of metal additive manufacturing within the African oil and gas industry, considering its specific contextual challenges and opportunities.

MethodLiterature review, expert interviews, case study analysis

ProcedureThe study reviewed existing literature on additive manufacturing and its application in the oil and gas sector, gathered insights from industry experts, and analyzed real-world scenarios. A framework was developed based on these findings and then demonstrated through a case study involving the Nigerian National Petroleum Company (NNPC) Limited.

ContextOil and Gas Industry, Africa

Variables

IVImplementation of a structured adoption framework for metal additive manufacturing.

DVOperational efficiency, cost reduction, competitiveness, successful adoption of metal AM.

CVSpecific challenges of the African oil and gas sector (e.g., supply chain, electricity, remote locations, limited facilities).

Strengths & Limitations

Strengths

+Addresses a critical need for operational improvement in a vital industry.
+Provides a practical, context-specific framework for technology adoption.

Limitations

The framework is general and may require adaptation for specific countries or companies within Africa. The cost-effectiveness of metal AM for all applications needs further detailed analysis.

Reliability & validity

The study's reliance on literature review and expert insights provides a strong foundation, while the case study offers practical validation. However, broader empirical testing across multiple companies and countries would enhance generalizability.

Think critically

To what extent can the proposed framework be generalized to other industries or regions facing similar supply chain and infrastructure challenges?

Design Principles

"Leverage advanced manufacturing technologies to create resilient and agile supply chains tailored to specific regional constraints."

This research offers a practical roadmap for integrating advanced manufacturing technologies in regions facing significant logistical and infrastructural hurdles. It highlights how additive manufacturing can circumvent traditional supply chain limitations, enabling localized production of critical components and spare parts, thereby reducing downtime and costs.

What This Means for Your Design

This research shows how using 3D printing with metal can help oil and gas companies in Africa work better by making parts closer to where they are needed, even if they have problems with electricity or getting things delivered.

How to use in your project

1.Reference this study when discussing the potential for additive manufacturing to overcome supply chain limitations in your design project.
2.Use the framework's stages as a model for your own implementation strategy if your project involves adopting new manufacturing technologies.

Add to My Project

Quick Cite

Paragraph starter

The adoption of metal additive manufacturing in challenging industrial environments, such as the African oil and gas sector, can be significantly facilitated by a structured framework that addresses unique constraints like supply chain disruptions and infrastructure limitations. This research proposes such a framework, highlighting the importance of technology assessment, workforce development, and strategic planning to overcome barriers and enhance operational efficiency through localized production of critical components and spare parts.

Source

Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences Technology

Framework for Adoption of Metal Additive Manufacturing in the Oil and Gas Industry in Africa

journal · 2023

View source

Questions About This Research

What does the research say about metal additive manufacturing framework boosts african oil & gas efficiency?: When designing for industries in regions with complex supply chains and infrastructure limitations, explore how additive manufacturing can enable localized production and reduce reliance on traditional, often unreliable, supply networks. Evidence: Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences Technology (2023).
Why does "Metal Additive Manufacturing Framework Boosts African Oil & Gas Efficiency" matter for design?: This research offers a practical roadmap for integrating advanced manufacturing technologies in regions facing significant logistical and infrastructural hurdles. It highlights how additive manufacturing can circumvent traditional supply chain limitations, enabling localized production of critical components and spare parts, thereby reducing downtime and costs.
How can designers apply this research?: When designing for industries in regions with complex supply chains and infrastructure limitations, explore how additive manufacturing can enable localized production and reduce reliance on traditional, often unreliable, supply networks.
What were the main findings?: Metal additive manufacturing offers a solution to persistent supply chain challenges in Africa's oil and gas sector.. Key barriers to adoption include unstable electricity, remote locations, limited manufacturing facilities, cultural shifts, and quality control concerns.. A phased approach involving technology assessment, workforce training, and strategic planning is crucial for successful integration.. The framework can facilitate prototyping, customized tooling, complex component fabrication, and spare part production.
What research method was used?: Literature review, expert interviews, case study analysis.
How strong is the evidence?: Evidence strength is rated Strong effect, based on a 2023 journal from Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences Technology.
What should I do differently in my next project?: When designing components or systems for the African oil and gas sector, investigate the feasibility of producing them locally using metal additive manufacturing, considering the framework's stages for assessment, training, and strategic planning.
What are the limitations?: The framework's applicability may vary depending on the specific country and sub-sector within the African oil and gas industry. Further validation across diverse African contexts would be beneficial.