A Driver-Based Framework for Integrating Industry 4.0 Practices with Additive Manufacturing

International Journal of Mechanical Engineering

© 2026 by SSRG - IJME Journal

Volume 13 Issue 3

Year of Publication : 2026

Authors : Trupti Markose, Hari Vasudevan

10.14445/23488360/IJME-V13I3P106

How to Cite?

Trupti Markose, Hari Vasudevan, "A Driver-Based Framework for Integrating Industry 4.0 Practices with Additive Manufacturing," SSRG International Journal of Mechanical Engineering, vol. 13,  no. 3, pp. 68-73, 2026. Crossref, https://doi.org/10.14445/23488360/IJME-V13I3P106

Abstract:

Innovative technologies help businesses remain competitive and financially stable. Industry 4.0(I4.0) encompasses technologies like Robotics, AI, Big Data, IoT, Cloud Computing, Digital Twins, and Additive Manufacturing (AM), amongst others, and is one such enabling force. Additive Manufacturing is a significant driving force for I4.0, and other innovative technologies are currently assisting AM’s successful operations in industries. Distributed manufacturing is one of AM’s primary contributions, with the ability to positively influence the manufacturing industry by lowering costs across production, logistics, and inventory, as well as the design and production of new products. In the context of the above, the probable drivers for integration were examined in this research. A survey of the literature covering AM, I4.0, the factors that support its readiness, and related benefits was carried out to help create the research framework. The study indicates that the organizational factors moderate the readiness for this integration.

Keywords:

Additive Manufacturing (AM), Industry 4.0, Drivers, Moderating factors.

References:

[1] N. Balashanmugam, Chapter 7 - Perspectives on Additive Manufacturing in Industry 4.0, Additive Manufacturing, pp. 127-150, 2021.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[2] Javaid Butt, “Exploring the Interrelationship between Additive Manufacturing and Industry 4.0,” Designs, vol. 4, no. 2, pp. 1-33, 2020.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[3] Harshad Chandrakant Sonar, Vivek Vilas Khanzode, and Milind Madhukarrao Akarte, “Ranking of Additive Manufacturing Implementation Factors using Analytic Hierarchy Process (AHP),” Journal of The Institution of Engineers (India): Series C, vol. 102, pp. 421-426, 2021.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[4] Harshad Sonar, Vivek Khanzode, and Milind Akarte, “Investigating Additive Manufacturing Implementation Factors using Integrated ISM-MICMAC Approach,” Rapid Prototyping Journal, vol. 26, no. 10, pp. 1837-1851, 2020.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[5] Harshad Chandrakant Sonar, Vivek Khanzode, and Milind Akarte, “A Conceptual Framework on Implementing Additive Manufacturing Technology towards Firm Competitiveness,” International Journal of Global Business and Competitiveness, vol. 15, pp. 121-135, 2020.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[6] Shwetha S. Kumar, and S. Vinodh, “Application of Interpretive Structural Modelling for Analysis of Factors Influencing Composite Fabrication using Additive Manufacturing,” International Journal of Materials Engineering Innovation, vol. 10, no. 3, pp. 218-245, 2019.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[7] Rohit Agrawal, and S. Vinodh, “Prioritizing Drivers of Industry 4.0 Enabling Additive Manufacturing: A Case Study,” Industry 4.0 and Advanced Manufacturing, pp. 25-34, 2021.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[8] Som Sekhar Bhattacharyya, and Sanket Atre, “Additive Manufacturing Technology: Realities and Strategic Perspectives from India,” International Journal of Asian Business and Information Management, vol. 11, no. 1, pp. 1-20, 2020.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[9] Dóra Horváth, and Roland Zs. Szabó, “Driving Forces and Barriers of Industry 4.0: Do Multinational and Small and Medium-Sized Companies Have Equal Opportunities?,” Technological Forecasting and Social Change, vol. 146, pp. 119-132, 2019.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[10] Saurabh Kumar, and Manjot Singh Bhatia, “Environmental Dynamism, Industry 4.0 and Performance: Mediating Role of Organizational and Technological Factors,” Industrial Marketing Management, vol. 95, pp. 54-64, 2021.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[11] Alexandre Moeuf et al., “Identification of Critical Success Factors, Risks and Opportunities of Industry 4.0 in SMEs,” International Journal of Production Research, vol. 58, no. 5, pp. 1384-1400, 2020.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[12] Micheal Omotayo Alabi et al., “Framework for Effective Additive Manufacturing Education: A Case Study of South African Universities,” Rapid Prototyping Journal, vol. 26, no. 5, pp. 801-826, 2020.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[13] Rohit Agrawal, and S. Vinodh, “Prioritisation of Drivers of Sustainable Additive Manufacturing Using best Worst Method,” International Journal of Sustainable Engineering, vol. 14, no. 6, pp. 1587-1603, 2021.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[14] Dan Centea et al., “Opportunities and Challenges in Integrating Additive Manufacturing in the SEPT Learning Factory,” Procedia Manufacturing, vol. 45, pp. 103-113, 2020.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[15] N. Harikannan, S. Vinodh, and Anand Gurumurthy, “Sustainable Industry 4.0 – an Exploratory Study for Uncovering the Drivers for Integration,” Journal of Modelling in Management, vol. 16, no. 1, pp. 357-376, 2021.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[16] Jan Stentoft et al., “Drivers and Barriers for Industry 4.0 Readiness and Practice: Empirical Evidence from Small and Medium-Sized Manufacturers,” Production Planning & Control, vol. 32, no. 10, pp. 811-828, 2021.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[17] Rasheedat Modupe Mahamood et al., Chapter 6 - Role of Additive Manufacturing in the Era of Industry 4.0 Additive Manufacturing, Woodhead Publishing, pp. 107-126, 2021.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[18] M. Manjaiah et al., Additive Manufacturing: A Tool for Industrial Revolution 4.0, Part of series: Woodhead Publishing Reviews: Mechanical Engineering Series, 2021.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[19] Yober J. Arteaga Irene, and Wai Kin Victor Chan, “Additive Manufacturing Global Challenges in the Industry 4.0 Era,” AI and Analytics for Smart Cities and Service Systems, pp. 316-336, 2021.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[20] Abid Haleem, and Mohd Javaid, “Different Components, Features of Industry 4.0 and their Linkage to Additive Manufacturing,” International Journal of Business Innovation and Research, vol. 26, no. 3, pp. 366-389, 2021.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[21] Christ P. Paul et al., “Laser Additive Manufacturing in Industry 4.0: Overview, Applications, and Scenario in Developing Economies,” Research Anthology on Cross-Industry Challenges of Industry 4.0, pp. 729-754, 2021.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[22] Barbara Motyl, and Stefano Filippi, “Trends in Engineering Education for Additive Manufacturing in the Industry 4.0 Era: A Systematic Literature Review,” International Journal on Interactive Design and Manufacturing, vol. 15, pp. 103-106, 2021.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[23] Marcin A. Królikowski, and Marta B. Krawczyk, “Does Metal Additive Manufacturing in Industry 4.0 Reinforce the Role of Substractive Machining?,” Advances in Manufacturing II, Manufacturing 2019, Lecture Notes in Mechanical Engineering, pp. 150-164, 2019.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[24] Eyman Hadi, The Role of Additive Manufacturing in IR 4.0, EMIR Research, 2019. [Online]. Available: https://www.emirresearch.com/the-role-of-additive-manufacturing-in-ir-4-0/
[25] Jorge Vicente Lopes da Silva, “Additive Manufacturing (3D Printing) and the Path to Industry 4.0,” Medium, 2018.
[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[26] Mehrshad Mehrpouya et al., “The Potential of Additive Manufacturing in the Smart Factory Industrial 4.0: A Review,” Applied Sciences, vol. 9, no. 18, pp. 1-34, 2019.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[27] Asif Iqbal et al., “Readiness of Subtractive and Additive Manufacturing and their Sustainable Amalgamation from the Perspective of Industry 4.0: A Comprehensive Review,” The International Journal of Advanced Manufacturing Technology, vol. 111, pp. 2475-2498, 2020.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[28] Mario Enrique Hernandez Korner et al., “Systematic Literature Review: Integration of Additive Manufacturing and Industry 4.0,” Metals, vol. 10, no. 8, pp. 1-24, 2020.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[29] Abid Haleem, and Mohd Javaid, “Additive Manufacturing Applications in Industry 4.0: A Review,” Journal of Industrial Integration and Management, vol. 4, no. 4, 2019.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[30] Radu Godina et al., “Impact Assessment of Additive Manufacturing on Sustainable Business Models in Industry 4.0 Context,” Sustainability, vol. 12, no. 17, pp. 1-21, 2020.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[31] Mohsen Soori, Behrooz Arezoo, and Roza Dastres, “Virtual Manufacturing in Industry 4.0: A Review,” Data Science and Management, vol. 7, no. 1, pp. 47-63, 2024.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[32] Teshager Awoke Yeshiwas, Atalay Bayable Tiruneh, and Milashu Asnake Sisay, “A Review Article on the Assessment of Additive Manufacturing,” Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Engineering, vol. 20, pp. 1-25, 2025.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[33] Abdul Muttalib, and Saim Hasa, “Advancements and Applications of Additive Manufacturing in Industry 4.0: A Review,” IPEC Journal of Science & Technology, pp. 50-53, 2025.
[Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]
[34] Sheyan Dehghan et al., “The Integration of Additive Manufacturing into Industry 4.0 and Industry 5.0: A Bibliometric Analysis (Trends, Opportunities, and Challenges),” Machines, vol. 13, no. 1, pp. 1-37, 2025.
[CrossRef] [Google Scholar] [Publisher Link]