Pursuing successful rapid manufacturing a users' bestpractices approach

Purpose This paper seeks to present the results of a study carried out within rapid manufacturing RM service providers and engineering centres in Northern Spain. By disclosing strategies for their everyday operation, it is intended to show how the internal expertise acquired overtime copes with the...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Rapid prototyping journal 2008-05, Vol.14 (3), p.173-179
Main Authors: Mungua, Javier, de Ciurana, Joaquim, Riba, Carles
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Best practice
Rapid prototypes
Spain
Online Access:Get full text
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Summary:Purpose This paper seeks to present the results of a study carried out within rapid manufacturing RM service providers and engineering centres in Northern Spain. By disclosing strategies for their everyday operation, it is intended to show how the internal expertise acquired overtime copes with the lack of standards within this industry. Designmethodologyapproach The study was deployed by means of a survey including four main issues RM concepts, process planning, materials and costs. Questions range from general RM perceptions to specific production criteria like layer thicknesses, laser power, quality assurance methods, etc. A special emphasis is made on cost parameters, since they play a major role when selecting the final manufacturing route. Findings The socalled de facto standards were found to be widely used in order to minimize production risks for RM. The study also suggests the need for specific RM standards based on key issues like material recycling, process planning and costs assignment. Practical implications The study is mainly focused on additive RM processes used in Spanish centres. Although, some other technologies applied elsewhere might not be considered, it is assumed that most of the technologies mentioned in this study are available worldwide, thus providing valuable information to increase the general RM base of knowledge. Originalityvalue Unlike most of the RM literature based on benchmarking of processes to provide information, this paper shows first hand data from users and service providers, showing RM practices and preferences from a different approach.
ISSN:1355-2546
1758-7670
DOI:10.1108/13552540810878049