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Article
Publication date: 14 January 2022

Martins Ugonna Obi, Patrick Pradel, Matt Sinclair and Richard Bibb

The purpose of this paper is to understand how Design for Additive manufacturing Knowledge has been developing and its significance to both academia and industry.

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand how Design for Additive manufacturing Knowledge has been developing and its significance to both academia and industry.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the authors use a bibliometric approach to analyse publications from January 2010 to December 2020 to explore the subject areas, publication outlets, most active authors, geographical distribution of scholarly outputs, collaboration and co-citations at both institutional and geographical levels and outcomes from keywords analysis.

Findings

The findings reveal that most knowledge has been developed in DfAM methods, rules and guidelines. This may suggest that designers are trying to learn new ways of harnessing the freedom offered by AM. Furthermore, more knowledge is needed to understand how to tackle the inherent limitations of AM processes. Moreover, DfAM knowledge has thus far been developed mostly by authors in a small number of institutional and geographical clusters, potentially limiting diverse perspectives and synergies from international collaboration which are essential for global knowledge development, for improvement of the quality of DfAM research and for its wider dissemination.

Originality/value

A concise structure of DfAM knowledge areas upon which the bibliometric analysis was conducted has been developed. Furthermore, areas where research is concentrated and those that require further knowledge development are revealed.

Details

Rapid Prototyping Journal, vol. 28 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2546

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 11 January 2021

Nathaniel Kaill, Robert Campbell and Patrick Pradel

This study aims to investigate the relationship between part porosity and mechanical properties of short-fibre reinforced polylactic acid printed via multi-axis material extrusion…

Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to investigate the relationship between part porosity and mechanical properties of short-fibre reinforced polylactic acid printed via multi-axis material extrusion (MAMEX) to establish guidelines for optimal process configurations.

Design/methodology/approach

Material properties graphs provide the basis for studying the relationship between porosity and mechanical behaviour. Using the correlations found in this study, the way to improve printing strategies and filament properties can be deducted directly from an analysis of the print path and the final influence on mechanical performance.

Findings

Some commercial brands of short-fibre reinforced filament present inherent porosity that weakens the mechanical behaviour of MAMEX components.

Originality/value

Low-cost MAMEX allows the production of components that do not present anisotropic behaviour and are mechanically optimised through the alignment of the filaments along with internal stresses. This paper also addresses the effects of multi-axis deposition strategies on the resulting porosity and proposes improvements to reduce residual porosity, thus increasing the mechanical performance in the future.

Details

Rapid Prototyping Journal, vol. 27 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2546

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 22 July 2022

Nathaniel Kaill, Robert Campbell and Patrick Pradel

The purpose of this paper is to select a product suitable for printing via multi-axis additive manufacturing (MAAM), print it and test it to determine if, by using a multi-axis…

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to select a product suitable for printing via multi-axis additive manufacturing (MAAM), print it and test it to determine if, by using a multi-axis approach, it would be possible to create end use products that can withstand mechanical loading.

Design/methodology/approach

The methodology used in this study is a MAAM approach, and through the creation of an initial model and finite element analysis (FEA), the dominant stress vectors are identified. Using the orientation of these vectors, a three-dimensional tool path is constructed that follows the directionality as close as can be achieved while accounting for rotational road paths. This tool path is converted into a G-code and run on a 5-axis material extrusion printer. The printed samples were then tested according to the ISO standard to determine whether this can be a viable manufacturing technique.

Findings

The methodology used in this study enabled the production samples to withstand an average force of 1,100 N. This level is above the required safety threshold for the given standard. Furthermore, this reactive force is within 300 N of the typical metal sample, while being 25% of the typical weight for a conventional sample product. With a redesign and further research, it is possible to match the mechanical behaviour.

Originality/value

Recently, there has been an increased level of interest in MAAM. The research contained within this paper is original in its application of this printing method to explore whether it is possible to make end use products that meet the existing standards required by them.

Details

Rapid Prototyping Journal, vol. 29 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2546

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 30 July 2021

Lwando Mdleleni

This paper aims to explore the role of university in promoting, generating and sustaining social innovation (SI). It aimed to understand how higher education institutions have…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to explore the role of university in promoting, generating and sustaining social innovation (SI). It aimed to understand how higher education institutions have extended their contribution beyond the traditional function of teaching and research to perform in socio-economic problem-solving. It looks at the kinds of contributions which universities potentially make to SI processes, and the effects that this has on the direction and magnitude of SI, and by implication social development. This was done by drawing lessons from a SI project that the University of the Western Cape has been involved in, i.e. Zenzeleni Networks Project.

Design/methodology/approach

To address the research question with this framework, the author adopted an exploratory research design using a case study. This research is qualitative, exploratory and descriptive, based on a case study built with secondary data.

Findings

This paper submits that universities can potentially function as key role players in promoting SI initiatives and fostering social transformations. Universities contribute with different kinds of resources and inputs to foster new SI ideas.

Originality/value

The paper suggests that socially innovative university projects may contribute to community social sustainability maintaining social cohesion by increasing social capital and providing resources for the empowerment of the marginalised communities. In so doing, they contribute to overcome social exclusion and promote more sustainable forms of development at community level. More research is needed on how universities can build community networks with local community partners, who can use the insights of academic research to replicate interventions and move to scale.

Details

Social Enterprise Journal, vol. 18 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1750-8614

Keywords

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