TRIZ based Interface Conflict Resolving Strategies for Modular Product Architectures

In product development, the chosen product architecture often possesses characteristics of both modular and integral design. Within a modular architecture, a Function-Behavior-Structure (FBS) model has been applied to describe modules and their interfaces. To resolve emerging interface conflicts, several strategies based on both modular and integral action have been formulated. The strategies encompass TRIZ methods, as they focus strongly on product innovation. The purpose of the presented study is to combine TRIZ techniques and FBS modeling while trying to solve interface conflicts at a low level of abstraction. The interface conflict resolving strategies have been applied on an industrial case study successfull

Wire and arc additive manufacturing: Opportunities and challenges to control the quality and accuracy of manufactured parts

Wire and arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) has proven that it can produce medium to large components because of its high-rate deposition and potentially unlimited build size. Like all additive manufacturing (AM) technologies, however, an optimized process planning that provides uniform, defect-free deposition is key for the production of parts. Moreover, AM, particularly WAAM, is no longer just a prototyping technology, and most of today's attention is on its transformation to a viable and cost-effective production. With this transformation, a number of issues need to be addressed, including the accuracy and effectiveness of the manufactured components. Therefore, the emphasis should be on dimensional precision and surface finish in WAAM. This paper covers heat input and management concept, related to the resulting shrinkage, deformation, and residual stresses, which is particularly critical. In addition, we focus on process planning including build orientation, slicing, and path planning, as well as the definition of process parameter selection from a single track to multi-track and multilayer, and finally geometric features from a thin-wall to lattice structures with several case studies. Central to addressing component quality and accuracy, we summarize guiding designs and future needs through numerous WAAM-specific issues, which require for manufacturing of complex components

Improving Geometric Accuracy in Wire and Arc Additive Manufacturing With Engineering-Informed Machine Learning

Wire and arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) is a promising technology for fast and cost-effective fabrication of largescale components made of high-value materials for industries such as petroleum and aerospace. By using robotic arc welding and wire filler materials,WAAM can fabricate complex large near-net shape parts with high deposition rates, short lead times and millimeter resolution. However, due to high temperature gradients and residual stresses, currentWAAM technologies suffer from high surface roughness and poor shape accuracy. This limits the adoption of these technologies in industry and complicates process control and optimization. Since its conception, considerable research efforts have been made on improving the mechanical and microstructural performance of WAAM components while few studies have investigated their geometric accuracy. In this work, we propose an engineering-informed machine learning (ML) framework for predicting and compensating for the geometric deformation of WAAM fabricated products based on a few sample parts. The proposed ML algorithm efficiently separates geometric shape deviation into deformation and surface roughness. Then, the predicted shape deformation of a new product is minimized by applying optimal geometric compensa- tion to the product design. Experimental validation on cylindrical shapes showed that the proposed methodology can effectively reduce product shape deviation, which facilitates the widespread adoption of WAAM.</p