Additive manufacturing as a platform for introducing cyber-physical services

Additive manufacturing (AM) is increasingly used for the production of functional components. This process is based on digital design model and can produce customized components with no additional cost (toolless process). AM is an inherently model-centric approach to manufacturing which provides a starting point for extending product-centric control and services to tasks and operations beyond manufacturing. In this paper, we investigate a method to assign a unique identification to each part using AM and the additional product-centric services enabled through it, are discussed. The use of a unique identifier in the form of ID@URI which is additively manufactured (from the design file) on the parts enables additional services throughout the parts' lifecycle. Assembly, delivery, aftersales services, and maintenance, as well as product improvement, are the major product-centric services benefiting from identification introduced through the use of AM.Peer reviewe

A framework for differentiation in composed digital-physical products

Product-service systems (PSS) composed of physical products and digital services are emerging as an important new product category. In this paper we suggest that the established metaphor of layering is insufficient to capture the diverse ways in which PSS can be differentiated for, and by, consumers. Responding to this issue, we develop a new framework that centres on the distinction between different modes of horizontal product differentiation, including static, dynamic, compository and user-journey differentiation. Using a design science research (DSR) approach, the framework is applied to two case studies of prototype PSS that use augmented reality to connect physical goods to digital services. Building on this analysis, we argue that the uncovered aspects of differentiation should be further investigated in the management literature and that the existing metaphor of layers should be superseded by a more suitable one

To kit or not to kit: analysing the value of model-based kitting for additive manufacturing

The use of additive manufacturing (AM) for the production of functional parts is increasing. Thus, AM based practices that can reduce supply chain costs gain in importance. We take a forward-looking approach and study how AM can be used more effectively in the production of multi-part products in low to medium quantities. The impact of introducing kitting in AM on supply chain cost is investigated. Kitting approaches are traditionally devised to feed all components belonging to an assembly into individual containers. Where conventional manufacturing approaches are used for kitting, the produced parts pass through inventory and a kit preparation step before being forwarded to the assembly line/station. However, by taking advantage of the object-oriented information handling inherent in the AM process, kitting information can be embedded directly within the digital design data and parts produced in a common build. This model-based kitting practice reduces – even eliminates - the need for a manual kit preparation step and promises additional supply chain benefits. Eight experiments were conducted using laser sintering (LS) to investigate the impact of model-based component kitting on production cost and supply chain cost. The results show that with current state-of-the art volume packing software production costs increase with the adoption of kitting. The increased production cost, was off-set by benefits, including simplified production planning, reduced work-in-progress inventory and elimination of parts fetching prior to assembly. Findings of this research are of interest for manufacturers, service bureaus and practitioners who use AM for low quantity production, as well as developers of AM volume packing and production planning software

Autism Spectrum Condition and the Built Environment : Perspectives on Place Attachment and Cultural Heritage

Values have long provided essential foundation for cultural heritage policy and practice. Traditionally these values were determined by heritage experts and employed by agencies responsible for managing and protecting heritage for society and the future. Such values tended to focus on authorised and normative views of the past. More recently, heritage values have been applied with greater flexibility but to be effective this more flexible approach requires a good understanding of different perspectives. Only through understanding such differences and their implications can heritage genuinely have relevance to everyone in society. In some areas, we think this understanding may be deficient. In this paper we set out new findings which demonstrate that individuals with autism form different types of attachment towards buildings and places and create and respond to heritage values in different ways to neurotypical people