Benefits of Additive Manufacturing
The benefits of Additive Manufacturing vary on a product to product basis. Broadly speaking they fall into 5 different categories:
Increased performance
Devices such as manifolds, waveguides, combustors and heat exchangers perform better when functional elements can be shaped optimally.
Reduced weight
Outputs from topology optimisation can be closely followed. High-performance materials can be justified as a result of high material utilisation rates
Improved packaging
Devices can be shaped to occupy a non-uniform space envelope
Component integration
Multiple components previously assembled can be integrated reducing assembly costs and the additional weight of fasteners
Reduced lead time
Long lead times associated with tooling design and acquisition are eliminated
benefit a product and in what way it should be introduced.
These benefits are often realised in stages:
Part replacement
Outputs from topology optimisation can be closely followed. High-performance materials can be justified as a result of high material utilisation rates
Repackaging
Devices can be shaped to occupy a non-uniform space envelope
Part integration
Multiple components previously assembled can be integrated reducing assembly costs and the additional weight of fasteners
System re-design
When taken to its fullest extent clean sheet designs can dramatically benefit from the ultisation of additive manufacturing. Often significant performance or efficiency improvements can be realised, and in a virtuous circle, the reduced size of these systems can also lead to a dramatic cost saving versus a previous design.
At HiETA we like to help our customers and partners progress through these stages as quickly and as cost-effectively as possible. Additionally, the close working relationship we have with Additive Manufacturing machine OEMs, allows us to develop product solutions optimised to take advantage of future generations of machines.