Develop Potential Solution to the Engineering Conflicts of Additive Manufacturing by Using the Theory of Solution of Inventive Problems (TRIZ)-The Case of Material Jetting Process

The emergence of additive manufacturing (AM) technology gradually replaces traditional manufacturing processes that use material cutting and removal techniques. The innovative technology of AM will bring major changes to the supply chain networks and the models of manufacturing services. Considering material jetting (MJ) as one of the additive manufacturing core process technique with wide applications, this research utilizes patent technology-function matrix and the theory of solution of inventive problems (TRIZ)-based trajectories to explore MJ research and development niches and opportunities. The analytical results of the TRIZ-based technology-function matrix shows that the "jetting technique" is the most major technology and most MJ patents are related to TRIZ parameters No. 29 "Accuracy of manufacturing" and No. 32 "Manufacturability." In order to solve the contradiction problems simultaneously between the improving parameters "No. 9 Speed", "No.38 Level of automation" and the corresponding worsening parameter No.29 "Accuracy of manufacturing", "No. 28. Replacement of a mechanical system" and other seven innovative principles can be applied in developing printing heads technique. The analytical results of patent technology portfolios and the transformation of TRIZ parameters help discover critical strategies and directions for MJ researchers and solution providers.