Cyber-enabled manufacturing systems for additive manufacturing
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to study cyber-enabled manufacturing systems (CeMS) for additive manufacturing (AM). The technology of AM or solid free-form fabrication has received considerable attention in recent years. Several public and private interests are exploring AM to find solutions to manufacturing problems and to create new opportunities. For AM to be commercially accepted, it must make products reliably and predictably. AM processes must achieve consistency and be reproducible.
Design/methodology/approach
An approach we have taken is to foster a basic research program in CeMS for AM. The long-range goal of the program is to achieve the level of control over AM processes for industrial acceptance and wide-use of the technology. This program will develop measurement, sensing, manipulation and process control models and algorithms for AM by harnessing principles underpinning cyber-physical systems (CPS) and fundamentals of physical processes.
Findings
This paper describes the challenges facing AM and the goals of the CeMS program to meet them. It also presents preliminary results of studies in thermal modeling and process models.
Originality/value
The development of CeMS concepts for AM should address issues such as part quality and process dependability, which are key for successful application of this disruptive rapid manufacturing technology.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
© Published [2014]. This article is a US government work and is in the public domain in the USA
The first author thanks the Office of Naval Research for its sponsorship and support of the research. Both authors are indebted to the CeMS program’s principal investigators for sharing their ideas and results and to the larger AM community for stimulating discussions.
Citation
P. Cooper, K. and F. Wachter, R. (2014), "Cyber-enabled manufacturing systems for additive manufacturing", Rapid Prototyping Journal, Vol. 20 No. 5, pp. 355-359. https://doi.org/10.1108/RPJ-01-2013-0001
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2014, Company