Remixing existing designs accelerates product development and enhances manufacturing compatibility in additive manufacturing.
Leveraging online platforms for 'remixing' existing 3D models can significantly boost both the creativity and productivity of product design processes for additive manufacturing.
Journal of Operations Management · 2019
Key Findings
- 01Six mechanisms of remixing were identified, categorized as creativity-oriented (inspiration, play, learning) and productivity-oriented (speed, improvement, empowerment).
- 02Remixing can lead to better design process outcomes in terms of quantity and diversity of designs.
- 03Remixed designs are more frequently printed, suggesting improved manufacturing compatibility.
Application
Design takeaway
Incorporate remixing as a core strategy in product design workflows, particularly for additive manufacturing, by utilizing collaborative platforms and existing design assets.
How to apply
Explore and utilize online repositories of 3D models, actively engaging with existing designs to create new variations or improvements for additive manufacturing projects.
Project actions
- 01Consider how existing designs can be adapted or combined for your project.
- 02Document the 'remixing' process, detailing which elements were reused and how they were modified.
Method & Evidence
Variables
Strengths & Limitations
Strengths
- +Combines qualitative and quantitative data for a comprehensive understanding.
- +Utilizes real-world data from a large online community.
Limitations
The ease of remixing might depend on the complexity and licensing of the original designs. Not all design problems are suitable for a remixing approach.
Reliability & validity
Reliability could be enhanced by using standardized criteria for evaluating design creativity and manufacturing compatibility. Validity is supported by the use of real-world platform data and a mixed-methods approach.
Think critically
To what extent does the 'remixing' of designs stifle true originality versus fostering efficient innovation?
Design Principles
"Iterative design through remixing fosters innovation and manufacturing readiness."
This approach offers a structured method for designers to build upon existing work, leading to faster iteration cycles and designs that are more readily manufacturable. It taps into collective knowledge and encourages continuous improvement within design communities.
What This Means for Your Design
When designing for 3D printing, instead of starting from scratch, you can take existing designs and modify them. This makes your design process faster, more creative, and results in products that are easier to print.
How to use in your project
- 1.Reference this study when discussing your design process, particularly if you adapted existing concepts or components.
- 2.Use the identified remixing mechanisms (inspiration, play, learning, speed, improvement, empowerment) to analyze your own design choices.
Add to My Project
Quick Cite
(2019). Creativity and productivity in product design for additive manufacturing: Mechanisms and platform outcomes of remixing. Journal of Operations Management. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jom.2018.10.004 Retrieved from https://designdex.org/study/e867ab88-aaff-4ca9-b8e3-76ed85a315fc/remixing-existing-designs-accelerates-product-development-and-enhances-manufacturing-compatibility-in-additive-manufacturing
Paragraph starter
The design process for this project was informed by research into 'remixing' in additive manufacturing (Friesike et al., 2019). This approach, which involves adapting and building upon existing design elements, was employed to accelerate development and enhance manufacturing compatibility. By leveraging existing digital assets, the project aimed to achieve greater design diversity and efficiency, mirroring the benefits observed in online collaborative design communities.
Source
Journal of Operations Management
Creativity and productivity in product design for additive manufacturing: Mechanisms and platform outcomes of remixing
journal · 2019
View sourceQuestions about this research
- What does the research say about remixing existing designs accelerates product development and enhances manufacturing compatibility in additive manufacturing?
- Incorporate remixing as a core strategy in product design workflows, particularly for additive manufacturing, by utilizing collaborative platforms and existing design assets. Evidence: Journal of Operations Management (2019).
- Why does "Remixing existing designs accelerates product development and enhances manufacturing compatibility in additive manufacturing." matter for design?
- This approach offers a structured method for designers to build upon existing work, leading to faster iteration cycles and designs that are more readily manufacturable. It taps into collective knowledge and encourages continuous improvement within design communities.
- How can designers apply this research?
- Incorporate remixing as a core strategy in product design workflows, particularly for additive manufacturing, by utilizing collaborative platforms and existing design assets.
- What were the main findings?
- Six mechanisms of remixing were identified, categorized as creativity-oriented (inspiration, play, learning) and productivity-oriented (speed, improvement, empowerment).. Remixing can lead to better design process outcomes in terms of quantity and diversity of designs.. Remixed designs are more frequently printed, suggesting improved manufacturing compatibility.
- What research method was used?
- Mixed methods approach with 81 individual remix-based designs.
- How strong is the evidence?
- Evidence strength is rated Moderate effect, based on a 2019 journal from Journal of Operations Management.
- What should I do differently in my next project?
- Explore and utilize online repositories of 3D models, actively engaging with existing designs to create new variations or improvements for additive manufacturing projects.
- What are the limitations?
- The study is based on data from a single online platform (Thingiverse), and the findings may not be universally applicable to all additive manufacturing contexts or design communities.
- Is there evidence that additive manufacturing affects design outcomes?
- By building on existing designs, product development becomes more creative and productive, resulting in a greater variety of designs that are also more likely to be successfully manufactured. This approach offers a structured method for designers to build upon existing work, leading to faster iteration cycles and desig Source: Journal of Operations Management (2019).
- Where does this existing designs research apply?
- Product design for additive manufacturing, online collaborative design platforms. It sits within innovation & design research on designdex.org.
Related research topics
additive manufacturing design research · evidence on additive manufacturing · does additive manufacturing improve design outcomes · existing designs studies for designers · additive manufacturing and existing designs findings · innovation & design research evidence