Automated software for streamlining optimisation of resource planning for an additive manufacturing system

Abstract. The use of additive manufacturing (AM) systems in scale production has rapidly increased in recent years. The growing tendency to adopt AM technologies into established manufacturing systems has led to research that considers the optimisation of both process and resource planning. In order to maximise the outputs of such a production process, planning must be conducted rigorously. This paper proposes an automated software tool, called EasyPlan, which streamlines the optimisation of resource planning. The algorithm is developed using LabVIEW and is demonstrated for an AM component from the medical industry. For the evaluation process, parameters such as stock levels, delivery terms and technical charts of the products are provided. A user friendly interface is developed, making EasyPlan versatile to all types of environments

Automated software for streamlining optimisation of resource planning for an additive manufacturing system

Abstract. The use of additive manufacturing (AM) systems in scale production has rapidly increased in recent years. The growing tendency to adopt AM technologies into established manufacturing systems has led to research that considers the optimisation of both process and resource planning. In order to maximise the outputs of such a production process, planning must be conducted rigorously. This paper proposes an automated software tool, called EasyPlan, which streamlines the optimisation of resource planning. The algorithm is developed using LabVIEW and is demonstrated for an AM component from the medical industry. For the evaluation process, parameters such as stock levels, delivery terms and technical charts of the products are provided. A user friendly interface is developed, making EasyPlan versatile to all types of environments

Additive manufacturing technologies and functional analysis used in product development optimization

Market leadership is achieved only by the fastest, most productive and best value global producers that use product performance, cost, quality and reliability as assets. Product innovation is an essential factor to companies that want to be competitive, so to improve and modernise finished products or productive systems, a lot of methods, organising and rationalising techniques are used. The authors propose to approach a product’s lifecycle with technical functional analysis (FA) for better understanding of the consumers needs and eliminating unnecessary costs, taking into consideration the specific characteristics of additive manufacturing (AM) technologies. Amongst the most important advantages brought together by the two concepts are customer focus, high quality final products, energy efficiency, low material waste, production speed and time-to-market, manufacturing complex geometries, low costs etc. Merging FA with the opportunities offered by AM technologies creates a synergistic effect, enabling development of new standards of innovation, performance and sustainable competitive advantage

Geometry Optimisation of Tools used in Milling of Spherical Surfaces

In this paper, the authors show an original methodology for optimisation of tool geometry used in the milling of spherical surfaces. This methodology is based on thorough theoretical research, which highlights the kinematic characteristics of spherical surface generation by milling. These characteristics lead to the conclusion that the constructive angles of tools used in spherical surface milling must have the same values on both cutting edges. In this paper, a practical design methodology of these tools is also presented, both for exterior spherical milling, and for interior spherical milling

Product Optimization by Rapid Manufacturing and Targeted Functional Analysis

Major companies use product performance, cost, quality and reliability as assets in the on-going battle for market leadership and sustainable competitive advantage. No company can commercially stand still and the way to be competitive is to continuously improve both product and process. Product development optimisation methods that give companies a head start have been the focal point of researchers for years. This paper proposes a study of functional analysis focused on the particularities of rapid manufactured custom-fitting products. The authors approach each stage of existence in a product’s life cycle with technical functional analysis in order to obtain a custom-fitting product that better satisfies the customer’s needs and yet permits a sustainable manufacturing process. The functional analysis (FA) study is targeted on the specific characteristics of rapid manufacturing (RM) for single part products and uses tools like FAST diagrams, product life cycle analysis, technical and economic matrices. The study focuses on the functionality of the product all throughout its life cycle, starting with development, production, usage, maintenance and finishing with storage or disposal. The merging of rapid manufacturing technologies with technical functional analysis facilitates major changes, which lead the way to product innovation and achievement of sustainable competitive advantage. Amongst the most important advantages brought together by FA and RM are customer focus, high quality final products, energy efficiency, low material waste, production speed and time-to-market, manufacturing complex geometries, low costs etc

Functional analysis for the development of bio-medical products

The engineer nowadays needs to possess knowledge that will enable the design of more diverse and cheaper products, but of higher quality, which reach the market faster, and do not pollute. These requirements are the effect of globalization, competition, reduction of the life-cycle of a product, managing the environmental issues, increasing computing power related to communication networks etc. The present paper proposes research applying technical functional analysis for the development of a surgical device manufactured from biocompatible silicone rubber. The vacuum surgical device is a treatment instrument for skin ulcers resistant to antibiotics and difficult to treat because of other connected diseases. The product is fabricated by open mould casting in a selective laser sintered (additive manufactured) mould, obtained after performing functional analysis. Functional analysis is applied to establish the optimum mould concept and the technological process of manufacturing it. Additive manufacturing is used for both the intermediary functional prototype production of the mould and the zero series mould

Redesign of custom-fitted surgical guide with targeted functional analysis fabricated via SLM

This research explores the possibility of redesigning a surgical guide with the aim of improving the overall accuracy of the surgery and reducing the time of the procedure. The paper proposes a study of functional analysis (FA) focused on the particularities of custom-fitting products fabricated via Selective Laser Melting (SLM). The authors approach each stage of existence in the product’s life cycle with technical FA in order to obtain a custom-fitting surgical guide that better satisfies the customer’s needs and yet permit a sustainable manufacturing process. The FA study is targeted on the specific characteristics of SLM of single part products and uses tools such as FAST diagrams, product life cycle analysis, technical and economic matrices. The merging of SLM technology with technical FA led to a number of modifications in the functionality of the surgical guide, and has been described by the originating surgeons as a positive improvement