ADVANCED MANUFACTURING NOW Ben Fisk
Selecting the Right Additive Manufacturing Solution a W
ith the vast array of technologies now available to the manufacturer, it is often diffi cult to determine which solutions to pursue. High-performance resins, thermoplastics, composites and metals are now being used throughout production applications, but sometimes the thought of entering into additive manufacturing can seem overwhelming. So how does a company evaluate additive manufacturing, de- velop a list of technologies that best fi t its business and properly integrate into its operations? Understanding how to navigate the sea of solutions and fi nd those technologies is critical to identify- ing, implementing and executing for maximum performance. The fi rst essential step in the evaluation process is to examine
the current and future states of the company. Resist the urge to prematurely commit to a particular technology and then attempt to fi nd a solution for it within the company operations. Instead, perform a thorough review of your business processes—includ- ing supply chain, process capabilities, bottlenecks, quality and ergonomic issues, safety, and product offerings. By looking at the various areas of the business, the company can narrow its focus and identify the true areas in need of improvement. Based on the focus areas defi ned, the next step is to deter- mine the decision criteria for comparing additive technologies. This criteria could include a reduction in cycle time, improved tooling and/or part durability, inventory reduction, performance improvement, customization, cost savings, and many more. The key is to defi ne clear deliverables and measurable attributes that will drive focus to a subset of technologies that can potentially deliver improvements and will allow direct comparison of these technologies through the initial, detailed, and benchmark evalu- ations. These deliverables should include classes of allowable materials (metals, polymers, etc.) as well as basic structural and dimensional requirements. Material properties such as strength, conductivity, thermal behavior, and density need to be defi ned. In addition, tolerances, repeatability, surface fi nish, and volume quantities need to be demonstrated and compared. Once a company has narrowed the fi eld to a select group of technologies, it is critical to determine where, how, and by whom the equipment will be operated. Will the machine be installed in
10
AdvancedManufacturing.org | April 2017
an offi ce, laboratory, or manufacturing fl oor environment? The requirements and facility preparations can vary substantially and need to be defi ned as part of the overall incorporation plan prior to purchase and installation. If the machine is to be installed in a laboratory or research facility, it is important to understand if special provisions are required to integrate with the surrounding equipment and/or operations. Lastly, the company must determine what type and skill set of employee will be operating this new technology. Ei- ther the current employees must be trained on proper operations, safety, and maintenance of the machine or experienced techni- cians or engineers must be brought in to facilitate incorporation.
“Additive manufacturing is revolutionary and an exciting area of manufacturing—one that will propel production manufacturing well into the future.”
Lastly, the company must determine what level of risk, both
fi nancial and operational, is best suited for its business. Bringing in a prototyping desktop printer has a very low risk/entry cost and its impact on operations is minimal. However, the inverse is true for a high-precision metal printer or hybrid machine where the entry point can exceed $1 million and the impact to opera- tions can be severe if proper execution falls short of expecta- tion. Therefore, it is essential that a company develops a sound business plan and decision process as well as teams together with industry professionals and support organizations to ensure success. Leveraging strengths both internally and externally will provide the foundation for success. Additive manufacturing is revolutionary and an exciting area of manufacturing—one that will propel production manufactur- ing well into the future. Keys to the successful incorporation of additive manufacturing are deliberate, defi ned sets of goals and objectives, measurable criteria and review process, proper planning and execution, workforce training, and the leveraging of established industry experts.
General Manager Methods 3D Inc.
MODERN MANUFACTURING PROCESSES, SOLUTIONS & STRATEGIES
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116
