Abstract
The current production environment is changing as Additive Manufacturing (AM) or 3D printing provides new opportunities in product design and production. With its potential, high-quality outputs are a major challenge, especially to small AM firms with few resources, experience, and well-established quality systems. Using Quality Control Management (QCM) systems according to ISO 9001: 2015 may help these firms achieve better productivity, less waste, and improved customer satisfaction.
Although there is large-scale research on QCM in large-scale manufacturing, a general gap exists in terms of its usage in small AM enterprises. This paper fills that gap by looking at the effects of QCM implementation in a South African AM small company. Semi-structured interviews were carried out in a qualitative case study method by interviewing employees and the management based on the People, Process, and Technology (PPT) framework. The study examines the advantages of adoption of QCM, the difficulties faced in the process, and methods to address them. The results indicate that QCM systems based on ISO 9001:2015 make a stronger impact on the process adherence, the product reliability and efficiency in operations and reduce such obstacles as financial constraints and introduction resistance.
The research provides useful information and guidelines to small AM firms towards the enhancement of their competitiveness, international standards and sustainable development within the AM industry in South Africa.