Determining the Degree of the Routinization of Additive Manufacturing in the Air Logistics Complexes

Abstract

Fiscal constraints have affected the USAFs spending and sustainment of weapons systems that are being utilized beyond their programmed life cycle; therefore, it is imperative that processes be given the critical eye for improvement, innovative approaches, and/or best practice implementation. The AFSC, part of the AFMC, has embarked on a groundbreaking effort to transform operations and leverage industry best practices, while maintaining focus on warfighter support to create The AFSC Way. The AFSC Way is based on a shared leadership model that emphasizes speed, safety, and quality, which gives way to innovative ideas and new technologies in order to achieve Art of the Possible results, despite fiscal uncertainty. The quest for continued sustainment has led to the recognition of innovation as a vital ingredient for an organizations survival and profitability in this fiscally constrained environment. Additive manufacturing is one such innovation that the AFSC has adopted and implemented in an effort to maintain or enhance current weapons system sustainment practices. If the AFSC is to realize the potential benefits of additive manufacturing, it must be routinized to some degree into the organizations governance systems. This research seeks to aid in increasing the understanding of what routinization events affect an innovations degree of routinization.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Mar 01, 2016
Accession Number
AD1053959

Entities

People

  • Candis A Woods

Organizations

  • Air Force Institute of Technology

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Human Systems
  • Weapons Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Additive Manufacturing
  • Air Force
  • Best Practices
  • Computer-Aided Design
  • Engineers
  • Fabrication
  • Fused Deposition Modeling
  • Logistics
  • Manufacturing
  • Materials
  • Materials Engineering
  • Organizational Structure
  • Printing
  • Selective Laser Sintering
  • Supply Chain
  • Supply Chain Management
  • Three Dimensional

Readers

  • Aerospace logistics and air mobility.
  • Defense Acquisition Program Management
  • Systems Analysis and Design