Selection and Implementation of Additive Manufacturing

Potential AM adopters can recognize the suitability of AM technology to their circumstance through the analysis provided in pervious chapter. This chapter discusses the technology selection and implementation processes. It begins with an analysis of the technology and then attempts to depict the future of AM technology. It describes the future possible beneficiaries of this technology and introduces the process for AM technology selection. It presents appropriate selection criteria and proposes a process for selecting a system from among the different manufacturing technologies available as well as selecting from different AM technologies. The chapter goes on to describe the implementation process for AM technologies in an organization. A detailed discussion on the changes required in an organization, its operations and supply chains is provided. As for the operational changes, the chapter analyzes the design process, production planning and control, quality control, and the role of the Internet of Things (IoT) in implementation.