Discovering Additive Manufacturing
ASSESS & CALIBRATE FOR ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING
This process is provided for the senior leadership team of a company so they can be best informed of their options when considering adopting Additive Manufacturing into existing manufacturing processes. Taken from years of experience working with all sizes of companies, from start-ups to Tier 1 suppliers, and multi-nationals, you’ll be working with a verified expert in the field of Additive Manufacturing.
- You’ll be in a position to identify if AM can contribute towards the growth of your business and understand how AM could increase your profitability.
- A guided process to help identify whether investment in AM makes sense for your business and which technologies could present the best ROI.
- Initial assessment of the potential to deploy AM today, along with the road-blocks that could stop your business from moving forward.
- Providing the initial steps in how to plan for the future implementation of AM.
You can read more about the naming conventions used in AM here.
Assess – a tailored process that reviews your current product lines and associated production operations to establish if there are any clear and obvious candidates for AM. Using your actual production parts we will evaluate form, fit and function against current AM design requirements. We will go on to identify potential changes and improvements that would be suited to a relevant AM technology. This first part of the service includes a general introduction to all current AM technologies, processes, materials and the most successful applications.
Calibrate – no matter where your business is in its current journey with AM, the next part of the process will help to calibrate your current understanding of AM to your current business requirements. This should help you to identify the most appropriate opportunities and next steps in the journey to full adoption.
You’ll be guided through the process of developing the business case for utilising AM within your organisation. This may be through investing in AM technology or engaging with external service providers. You may decide to carry out further research and development activities before moving to the next stage of adoption.
By the end of this process of Discovery, you will have a much more informed view of the capabilities of AM, and with this knowledge you’ll be able to plan for growth, target new opportunities, or overcome any existing obstacles to the adoption of metal AM technologies.
OBJECTIVES OF THIS PROCESS
- Understand which AM technologies are available
- Identify the current fit of AM with your business
- Learn about the essential design requirements
- Understand how to assess AM processes, materials and applications
- Identify opportunities for alternative production solutions using AM
- Ready your business to take the next steps with AM
Initial Meeting
Understanding your business, the drivers, and the motivations for considering AM
Understanding existing knowledge level and design know-how
Ideas for the onsite ‘show-and-tell’
Planning the workshop – who should attend
On site workshop
Introduction to AM technology
Getting to know your business leadership
Review of business activities – walk the floor
‘Show-and-tell’ review of candidate parts for AM
Develop a list of potential use cases
Assessment
Review workshop findings to identify potential areas for introducing AM
Identify suitable solutions/routes into the associated areas, including ball-park costs
Assess the potential for growth, cost savings and improved sustainability
Plan for Adoption
Report of the assessment findings
Points of entry and barriers to the adoption of AM
Identifying the most practical options for evaluating AM
Recommended next step for the adoption of AM
Taking the next steps
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