Additive manufacturing (AM) technology has been researched and developed for more than 20 years. Rather than removing materials, AM processes make three-dimensional parts directly from CAD models by adding materials layer by layer, offering the beneficial ability to build parts with geometric and material complexities that could not be produced by subtractive manufacturing processes. Through intensive research over the past two decades, significant progress has been made in the development and commercialization of new and innovative AM processes, as well as numerous practical applications in aerospace, automotive, biomedical, energy and other fields. This paper reviews the main processes, materials and applications of the current AM technology and presents future research needs for this technology.

Additive manufacturing: technology, applications and research needs

An intertwined supply network (ISN) is an entirety of interconnected supply chains (SC) which, in their integrity secure the provision of society and markets with goods and services. The ISNs are o...

https://hal.archives-ouvertes.fr/hal-02568319/document

Viability of intertwined supply networks: extending the supply chain resilience angles towards survivability. A position paper motivated by COVID-19 outbreak

SLM lattice structures: Properties, performance, applications and challenges

A critical review of the use of 3-D printing in the construction industry

Viability is the ability of a supply chain (SC) to maintain itself and survive in a changing environment through a redesign of structures and replanning of performance with long-term impacts. In this paper, we theorize a new notion-the viable supply chain (VSC). In our approach, viability is considered as an underlying SC property spanning three perspectives, i.e., agility, resilience, and sustainability. The principal ideas of the VSC model are adaptable structural SC designs for supply-demand allocations and, most importantly, establishment and control of adaptive mechanisms for transitions between the structural designs. Further, we demonstrate how the VSC components can be categorized across organizational, informational, process-functional, technological, and financial structures. Moreover, our study offers a VSC framework within an SC ecosystem. We discuss the relations between resilience and viability. Through the lens and guidance of dynamic systems theory, we illustrate the VSC model at the technical level. The VSC model can be of value for decision-makers to design SCs that can react adaptively to both positive changes (i.e., the agility angle) and be able to absorb negative disturbances, recover and survive during short-term disruptions and long-term, global shocks with societal and economical transformations (i.e., the resilience and sustainability angles). The VSC model can help firms in guiding their decisions on recovery and re-building of their SCs after global, long-term crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic. We emphasize that resilience is the central perspective in the VSC guaranteeing viability of the SCs of the future. Emerging directions in VSC research are discussed.

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Viable supply chain model: integrating agility, resilience and sustainability perspectives-lessons from and thinking beyond the COVID-19 pandemic.

Laser based additive manufacturing in industry and academia

Purpose – This paper surveys the current state and capabilities of three dimensional printing (3DP). A comprehensive review of 3D Printing applications is presented. The scope of the applications includes design, manufacturing, the medical field and architecture.Design/methodology/approach – A large variety of manufacturing applications such as rapid pattern making and rapid tooling using the 3DP process directly or as core technology, as well as further implications in design and engineering analysis, medicine, and architecture are presented and evaluated.Findings – Some research issues are also discussed. An attempt, based on the state of the art, to show weaknesses and opportunities, and to draw conclusions about the future of this important process rounds up this paper.Research limitations/implications – The scope of this research survey is limited to evaluation and comparison of processes that may be characterised as 3D printing technologies.Practical implications – The study is very useful as a basi...

Advances in three dimensional printing – state of the art and future perspectives

Purpose – The research was undertaken to characterise the three dimensional printing (3DP) process in term of the achievable dimensional and geometric accuracy.Design/methodology/approach – New benchmark models were developed that represent characteristics needing to be investigated. The parts were fabricated in different materials. A program was written to measure the features on a numerically controlled coordinate measurement machine. Finally, a statistical analysis was done. The results are reported in terms of statistical parameters and international tolerance (IT) grades.Findings – The paper provides general IT grades of the 3DP process for parts printed using different materials (powders).Research limitations/implications – The research is limited to specific materials and equipment.Practical implications – The data is very useful for designing products to be manufactured on 3DP machines applying either direct or indirect methods.Originality/value – 3DP is more and more used for rapid prototyping wi...

Investigating the achievable accuracy of three dimensional printing

Purpose




Selective laser melting (SLM) is a process that produces near net shape parts from metallic powders. A concern with SLM-produced metals is the achievable materials performance with respect to mechanical properties. Particularly, three important aspects strongly affect the mechanical properties of the material: internal stresses resulting from steep temperature gradients and high cooling rates, the resulting microstructure and the occurrence of pores and flaws.




Design/methodology/approach




This paper presents SLM-produced maraging steel 300 (18Ni-300), an iron-nickel steel alloy often used in applications where high fracture toughness and strength are required. The steel’s achievable tensile, crack growth and hardness properties and the manner in which these compare to the wrought counterpart are reported. In addition, this paper investigates the porosity distribution and achievable density, residual stress levels and post-processing procedures using heat-treatments.




Findings




It is found that tensile properties, hardness and microstructure compare well to its wrought counterpart. Fatigue growth rates are also comparable, though they are influenced by residual stresses and microstructure.




Originality/value




The investigation into the mechanical performance addresses two issues: the achievable mechanical properties and the understanding of the link between the manufacturing process and the achievable material performance.

The achievable mechanical properties of SLM produced Maraging Steel 300 components

A new emerging frontier in the evolution of the digitalisation and the 4th industrial revolution (Industry 4.0) is considered to be that of “Biologicalisation in Manufacturing”. This has been defined by the authors to be “The use and integration of biological and bio-inspired principles, materials, functions, structures and resources for intelligent and sustainable manufacturing technologies and systems with the aim of achieving their full potential.” In this White Paper, detailed consideration is given to the meaning and implications of “Biologicalisation” from the perspective of the design, function and operation of products, manufacturing processes, manufacturing systems, supply chains and organisations. The drivers and influencing factors are also reviewed in detail and in the context of significant developments in materials science and engineering. The paper attempts to test the hypothesis of this topic as a breaking new frontier and to provide a vision for the development of manufacturing science and technology from the perspective of incorporating inspiration from biological systems. Seven recommendations are delivered aimed at policy makers, at funding agencies, at the manufacturing research community and at those industries involved in the development of next generation manufacturing technology and systems. It is concluded that it is valid to argue that Biologicalisation in Manufacturing truly represents a new and breaking frontier of digitalisation and Industry 4.0 and that the market potential is very strong. It is evident that extensive research and development is required in order to maximise on the benefits of a biological transformation.

Dimitri Dimitrov

Papers

Laser based additive manufacturing in industry and academia

Advances in three dimensional printing – state of the art and future perspectives

Investigating the achievable accuracy of three dimensional printing

The achievable mechanical properties of SLM produced Maraging Steel 300 components

Biologicalisation: Biological transformation in manufacturing