Additive Manufacturing
Greater flexibility, shorter lead times and improved sustainability. These are some of the advantages the latest additive manufacturing techniques can offer a wide range of projects.
Additive manufacturing – the basics
Additive manufacturing is the process of creating three-dimensional components layer by layer using digital designs (3D models). In contrast to the more traditional subtractive manufacturing where you start with a "block" and then cut away material to achieve the desired shape.
This new production technique has allowed for:
- better flexibility in material choice from polymers to metals or even ceramics and multi material printing
- increased customizability for complex geometries allowing better fitness for purpose
- improved design freedom not having to work around some of the limitations of traditional fabrication processes
- combine multiple components into a single unified part
- repair or upgrade a part or equipment instead of replacing it
Improving asset economics through digital inventories
As it developed, this novel production process saw the development of new digital tools, mainly digital inventories that can be described as repositories for 3D models, material specifications, and other centralized data for production, procurement and supply-chain.
On-demand assessment for faster, more flexible decision making
Digital inventories allow disciplines to quickly browse through past cases and simulate contributions together with potential challenges in a production environment.
Optimized 3D modelling and prototyping
Easily access, reuse and adapt existing models across an entire project portfolio, and in turn save time on 3D modelling. Additionally, additive manufacturing allows rapid prototyping to ensure 100% fitness for purpose.
On-demand manufacturing
The ability to 3D print on-demand based on pre-existing 3D models can reduce lead time from months to days and remove, in some case, the need for large spare part inventories.
Optimize environmental footprint
From optimized designs reducing the amount of material used, to the ability to localize production through global networks of suppliers, or 3D printing allowing to reduce waste compared to subtractive manufacturing, additive manufacturing can effectively contribute to improving emissions and contribute to helping operators decarbonize.
