Abstract
Purpose - The technology of additive manufacturing (AM) or solid freeform 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 cyber-enabled manufacturing systems (CeMS) for additive manufacturing. 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 CeMS program goals to meet them. It also presents preliminary results of studies in thermal modeling and process models.Originality/value - The development of CeMS concepts for additive manufacturing should address issues such as part quality and process dependability, which are key for successful application of this disruptive rapid manufacturing technology.
Purpose - The technology of additive manufacturing (AM) or solid freeform 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 cyber-enabled manufacturing systems (CeMS) for additive manufacturing. 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 CeMS program goals to meet them. It also presents preliminary results of studies in thermal modeling and process models.Originality/value - The development of CeMS concepts for additive manufacturing should address issues such as part quality and process dependability, which are key for successful application of this disruptive rapid manufacturing technology.