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1 – 10 of over 1000Eduardo Castro e Costa, José Pinto Duarte and Paulo Bártolo
In this paper, the authors aim to address the potential of mass personalization for ceramic tableware objects. They argue that additive manufacturing (AM) is the most adequate…
Abstract
Purpose
In this paper, the authors aim to address the potential of mass personalization for ceramic tableware objects. They argue that additive manufacturing (AM) is the most adequate approach to the production of such objects.
Design/methodology/approach
The authors review the manufacturing of ceramic tableware objects, both traditional techniques and AM processes, and assess which available AM technologies are suitable for the research purpose.
Findings
The authors consider binder jetting and material extrusion as the most suitable processes for the production of ceramic objects to be integrated into a mass personalization system of ceramic tableware.
Originality/value
This paper provides an original overview of traditional and innovative techniques in ceramic manufacturing, exposing not only its differences but also its commonalities. Such overview supports the conceptual design of original equipment.
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Keywords
James I. Novak and Jonathon O’Neill
This paper aims to present new qualitative and quantitative data about the recently released “BigRep ONE” 3 D printer led by the design of a one-off customized stool.
Abstract
Purpose
This paper aims to present new qualitative and quantitative data about the recently released “BigRep ONE” 3 D printer led by the design of a one-off customized stool.
Design/methodology/approach
A design for additive manufacturing (DfAM) framework was adopted, with simulation data iteratively informing the final design.
Findings
Process parameters can vary manufacturing costs of a stool by over AU$1,000 and vary print time by over 100 h. Following simulation, designers can use the knowledge to inform iteration, with a second variation of the design being approximately 50 per cent cheaper and approximately 50 per cent faster to manufacture. Metrology data reveal a tolerance = 0.342 per cent in overall dimensions, and surface roughness data are presented for a 0.5 mm layer height.
Research limitations/implications
Led by design, this study did not seek to explore the full gamut of settings available in slicing software, focusing predominantly on nozzle diameter, layer height and number of walls alongside the recommended settings from BigRep. The study reveals numerous areas for future research, including more technical studies.
Practical implications
When knowledge and techniques from desktop 3 D printing are scaled up to dimensions measuring in meters, new opportunities and challenges are presented for design engineers. Print times and material costs in particular are scaled up significantly, and this study provides numerous considerations for research centers, 3 D printing bureaus and manufacturers considering large-scale fused filament fabrication manufacturing.
Originality/value
This is the first peer-reviewed study involving the BigRep ONE, and new knowledge is presented about the practical application of the printer through a design-led project. Important relationships between material volume/cost and print time are valuable for early adopters.
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The purpose of this paper is to review the Automate Show (robots and vision) and the Promat Show (material handling) that ran jointly in Chicago, with emphasis on the new robot…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to review the Automate Show (robots and vision) and the Promat Show (material handling) that ran jointly in Chicago, with emphasis on the new robot innovations and applications on display.
Design/methodology/approach
In‐depth interviews with exhibitors of robots, as well as system integrators who apply robots to specific categories of applications.
Findings
Telepresence robots have come of age with multiple vendors offering units. Delta robots have found a niche in quick handling of packing and order assembly tasks.
Practical implications
Customers will have to begin thinking of robots as much more that automated workers and start to envision them as tools for making it possible for people to be in more than one place at the same time. Logistics customers need to examine the abilities of the delta style robot to do more and faster order assembly than ever before.
Originality/value
A fresh look at innovations in robotic technology for users. Robots are not limited to just “heavy” lifting any more.
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The purpose of this paper is to review the Promat Show (material handling) and the Automate Show (robots and vision) run jointly in Chicago with emphasis on new automation…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to review the Promat Show (material handling) and the Automate Show (robots and vision) run jointly in Chicago with emphasis on new automation innovations for packing and order filling applications.
Design/methodology/approach
In‐depth interviews with exhibitors of material handling automation which addresses packing and order filling.
Findings
Mobile robots have come of age with multiple vendors offering units for handling goods. Delta robots have found a niche in quick handling of packing and order assembly.
Practical implications
Customers will have to begin thinking of mobile robots as much more autonomous and self‐guiding for goods handling in the warehouse. Logistics customers need to examine the abilities of the delta style robot to do more and faster picking and packing than ever before.
Originality/value
The paper provides an expert insight into how automation innovation continues to reduce cost, improve accuracy and speed of logistics and order filling.
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Gerald C. Anzalone, Bas Wijnen and Joshua M. Pearce
The purpose of this paper is to present novel modifications to a RepRap design that increase RepRap capabilities well beyond just fused filament fabrication. Open-source RepRap…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to present novel modifications to a RepRap design that increase RepRap capabilities well beyond just fused filament fabrication. Open-source RepRap 3-D printers have made distributed manufacturing and prototyping an affordable reality.
Design/methodology/approach
The design is a significantly modified derivative of the Rostock delta-style RepRap 3-D printer. Modifications were made that permit easy and rapid repurposing of the platform for milling, paste extrusion and several other applications. All of the designs are open-source and freely available.
Findings
In addition to producing fused filament parts, the platform successfully produced milled printed circuit boards, milled plastic objects, objects made with paste extrudates, such as silicone, food stuffs and ceramics, pen plotted works and cut vinyl products. The multi-purpose tool saved 90-97 per cent of the capital costs of functionally equivalent dedicated tools.
Research limitations/implications
While the platform was used primarily for production of hobby and consumer goods, research implications are significant, as the tool is so versatile and the fact that the designs are open-source and eminently available for modification for more purpose-specific applications.
Practical implications
The platform vastly broadens capabilities of a RepRap machine at an extraordinarily low price, expanding the potential for distributed manufacturing and prototyping of items that heretofore required large financial investments.
Originality/value
The unique combination of relatively simple modifications to an existing platform has produced a machine having capabilities far exceeding that of any single commercial product. The platform provides users the ability to work with a wide variety of materials and fabrication methods at a price of less than $1,000, provided users are willing to build the machine themselves.
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PRATT & WHITNEY has no fewer than 46 DEA co‐ordinate measuring machines (CMMs) in the US and the latest installation of a DEA Delta 34A06 gantry‐style machine at the North…
Abstract
PRATT & WHITNEY has no fewer than 46 DEA co‐ordinate measuring machines (CMMs) in the US and the latest installation of a DEA Delta 34A06 gantry‐style machine at the North Berwick, Maine, facility is already showing a saving of 70 to 75% over traditional gauging and measurement methods.
Martin C. Schleper, Constantin Blome and Alina Stanczyk
The purpose of this paper is to develop taxonomy of sourcing decision-making (SDM) archetypes and explore how different contextual factors influence these archetypes when global…
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to develop taxonomy of sourcing decision-making (SDM) archetypes and explore how different contextual factors influence these archetypes when global sourcing of complex components is considered a viable option.
Design/methodology/approach
A multiple case study approach with five in-depth cases is employed. In total, 19 interviews as well as publicly available and internal data from large buying firms headquartered in Austria and Germany were collected and analyzed.
Findings
The results reveal three different SDM archetypes which are described in detail (i.e. “consensus,” “argumentation” and “cabal”). Furthermore, it is found that these archetypes are mainly influenced by three contextual factors: sourcing maturity, product complexity and leadership style. The final model comprises six propositions which illustrate how these contextual factors determine companies’ SDM archetypes.
Research limitations/implications
The study contributes to theory development at the intersection of organizational buying behavior and the (global) SDM literature. Thereby, it answers the call for more rigorous investigation of the influence of contextual factors on SDM processes.
Practical implications
The findings enable practitioners to better understand and consequently manage SDM processes and their outcomes. By supporting decision-makers in identifying SDM archetypes, this study allows sourcing managers and teams to make better decisions by avoiding problems that occur in situations in which the preferred decision-making type would result in suboptimal decisions.
Originality/value
The study provides a first step toward taxonomy of SDM archetypes and is among the first that explores their underlying contextual factors.
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– The paper aims to discuss the review of the most recent PackExpo show in Chicago with emphasis on the new robot innovations and applications on display.
Abstract
Purpose
The paper aims to discuss the review of the most recent PackExpo show in Chicago with emphasis on the new robot innovations and applications on display.
Design/methodology/approach
In-depth interviews with exhibitors of robots, integrators of robots and suppliers of robot accessories at the show.
Findings
Robots continue to develop to match an ever-increasing number of packaging tasks.
Practical implications
Customers may be surprised at the robot innovations and new applications to which robots are being applied in the packaging field.
Originality/value
A review of some of the latest robot innovations and applications for packaging that one might have seen if they had been on the exhibition floor at the most recent Chicago PackExpo show.
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The purpose of this paper is to review the PACK EXPO show (packaging technology), with emphasis on the new robot innovations and applications to packaging on display.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to review the PACK EXPO show (packaging technology), with emphasis on the new robot innovations and applications to packaging on display.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper includes in‐depth interviews with exhibitors of robots of all types and integrators of robots at the PACK EXPO Show.
Findings
Robots are addressing the packaging needs for faster robots, as well as robots that are smarter and can operate more autonomously than in the past.
Practical implications
Packaging customers now have robot innovations to address packaging requirements with faster and smarter product handling technologies to increase productivity and decrease packaging costs.
Originality/value
For packaging customers who could not attend PACK EXPO, the paper is an opportunity to see and learn about some of the robot innovations that were on display.
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The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of the most recent IMTS show in Chicago with emphasis on the new manufacturing automation innovations and applications on display.
Abstract
Purpose
The purpose of this paper is to provide a review of the most recent IMTS show in Chicago with emphasis on the new manufacturing automation innovations and applications on display.
Design/methodology/approach
The paper presents in‐depth interviews with exhibitors of automation equipment and system integrators of automation technology at the show.
Findings
Automation technology continues to address an ever increasing number of manufacturing tasks to improve quality and productivity at every step in the manufacturing and inspection process.
Practical implications
Customers may be surprised at the automation innovations and new applications which are appearing in the manufacturing environment.
Originality/value
The paper offers a review of some of the latest automation innovations and applications that one might have seen if they had been on the exhibition floor at the most recent Chicago IMTS show.
Details