Additive Manufacturing

Frontmatter

1. Basics, Definitions, and Application Levels

Abstract

To understand the characteristics and the capabilities of additive manufacturing (AM), it is very helpful to take a look at the systematics of manufacturing technologies in general first.

Andreas Gebhardt, Jan-Steffen Hötter

2. Characteristics of the Additive Manufacturing Process

Abstract

Additive manufacturing machines on the market today are developed at a high rate of speed. New processes that are currently in the laboratory stage or under development will break into the market while simultaneously, tried and tested systems will be upgraded within a relatively short time.

Andreas Gebhardt, Jan-Steffen Hötter

3. Machines for Rapid Prototyping, Direct Tooling, and Direct Manufacturing

Abstract

Since 1987, more than 100 machines for direct digital production have been developed and introduced to the market that follow the principle of layer manufacturing using the basic physical principles introduced in Chapter 2.

Andreas Gebhardt, Jan-Steffen Hötter

4. Rapid Prototyping

Abstract

Rapid prototyping1 describes the direct additive manufacturing production of samples and prototypes by layer manufacturing technology. The products are models and the machines are prototypers.

This chapter is self-explanatory, provided that a basic knowledge exists, thereby enabling a quick approach to the subject. Repetitions are unavoidable because of the nature of this concept, but these are kept to a minimum.

Andreas Gebhardt, Jan-Steffen Hötter

5. Rapid Tooling

Abstract

Rapid tooling describes the additive manufacturing of tools, tool inserts, gauges, and molds. The parts are termed tools. Depending on the application and process, they can be prototypes or serial tools or their elements. The additive manufacturing machines are professional printers or production printers. They are described in Chapter 3, “Machines for Rapid Prototyping, Direct Tooling and Direct Manufacturing.” Tools that are used for the production of plastic moldings are preferably considered in the following section. This concentration does not represent a process- specific restriction.

Andreas Gebhardt, Jan-Steffen Hötter

6. Direct Manufacturing:Rapid Manufacturing

Abstract

Direct manufacturing is a subset of rapid manufacturing and refers to the direct additive manufacturing of end products. The machines used for this purpose are fabricators or production printers.

Andreas Gebhardt, Jan-Steffen Hötter

7. Safety and Environmental Protection

Abstract

Aside from voluntary activities, safety and environmental protection are mainly based on knowledge and observation of the relevant fields of law.

Yet most of the additive manufacturing machines have been installed like normal printers or photocopiers without a discussion of the legal position and consequences. Normally, all of the requirements are fulfilled anyway when the setup, operation, and maintenance of the additive manufacturing machine follow the operating instructions and positioning advice given by the manufacturer.

Andreas Gebhardt, Jan-Steffen Hötter

8. Economic Aspects

Abstract

The question of economy in using rapid prototyping has two aspects: a strategic one and an operative one.

In considering the technology and its potential, the strategic aspect is of considerable importance, that is, the question of whether additive manufacturing should be employed. The assessment depends to a large degree on the competitive strategy chosen and is not generally applicable (regarding competitive strategies, see the appendix in Chapter 10, “Critical Success Factors and Competitive Strategies”).

Andreas Gebhardt, Jan-Steffen Hötter

9. Future Rapid Prototyping Processes

Abstract

Following the main applications of additive manufacturing technology, this book has mainly focused on macroscopic or mezzo-scale components with characteristic dimensions of 10ths of mm to a few 100ths of mm. The production of microcomponents with characteristic dimensions of some 10 to 100 μm has been actively researched for some time now by Laser Center Hannover (LZH), ETH Lausanne (EPFL), TU Munich (IFG-TUM), and Wien and also by leading universities in the US and Japan.

Andreas Gebhardt, Jan-Steffen Hötter

Backmatter