Question

Manufacturing Process

3) It’s been more than 3 decades since the invention of Additive Manufacturing processes. However, still we cannot see introduction of many Additive Manufacturing products into the market. What is the reason behind this issue from your perspective?

Answer 1

Though Additive Manufacturing is called the Technology of the fututre, it also has lots of limitations:

One limitation is due to the time and effort required in application design. While an advantage of using additive manufacturing is that individual parts can be customized to particular bodies, this customized procedure to manufacture various shapes and sizes of commodities is time-consuming. Other processes which utilize molds to manufacture products on a bigger scale are better efficient when many commodities are required.

Data is the language without which Additive Manufacturing will not perform the task. While Additive Manufacturing processes have been in reality for more than a decade, it is data administration that is the latest characteristic of the technology, with the prospective to increase uptake of Additive Manufacturing. But, rather than developments in the machines, it is the software evolution that will steer the industry ahead.

Latest CAD programs are believed to be insufficient for designing for Additive Manufacturing. CAD is still used for conventional manufacturing areas such as plastic molding. Today's CAD systems are completely impractical for traversing the design liberation of Additive Manufacturing. CAD systems do not inclineto be user-friendly. Both components must vary to make the most of Additive Manufacturing methids.

There is a need for superior materials to utilize as source for Additive Manufacturing and 3D printing. The advancement of machines which can work on metals by manufacturing products from powders is lending to open up the methids for industrial users. But, as new metal alloys work on manufacturers’ requirements, polymers need better R&D. While metals used in Additive Manufacturing methids are usually recyclable, polymers are often not.

Another disadvantages is that the efficiency is less by the magnitude of particles of the material and oxidation should be evadeed by implementing the procedure in an inert atmosphere and for the method to operate at constant temperature in proximity to the melting point. The fabrication material is removed thus dissipating it.

Another limitation is size. As objects created from Additive Manufacturing utilize liquid polymers, bigger object are not a practicable. Bigger objects have insufficiency of material strength, hence Additive Manufacturing cannot manufacture objects such as vehicle parts.

Different researches on Additive Manufacturing materials deduced that strident skin responses and eye exasperation will take place as soon as the worker goes in touch with the chemicals by taking in the vapors or if the materials coincidentally fall on the skin. Extended exposure to the chemicals will guide to disastrous allergies. As the large part of the chemicals are hitched molecules, their decomposibility is very less and the materials saty in the atmosphere for long periods. Poisonous gases are released after the formation of the chemicals. It has also been anticipated that poisonous compounds shall transpire from the working of Additive Manufacturing equipment. Hence, the atmospherical influence of the Additive Manufacturing industry is a mtter of great apprehension. Even though some studies have realised the requirement for calibration of raw materials in the Additive Manufacturing factories, the probable toxicity, chemical decomposibility of solvents utilized for their expulsion stays a matter of substantial research future.

Hence, there are major limitations to Additive Manufacturing but the potential to give customised products to customers in need looks to far overshadow any disadvantages.

The full prospect of Additive Manufacturing will be accomplished when the technology is unsegregated into various manufacturing provisions. In needs where Additive Manufacturing is contentious, 80% or more energy reduction can be accomplished. Companies which will investigate the prospect of the future techniques and provide better objects will get a economical fringe in the future.