Page 6 - 3D Metal Printing Summer 2019

3D EDITORIAL
Transforming for Tomorrow
—With Caution
By Brad Kuvin
Istole the headline for this column from the recently released Manufacturing and Distribution Survey, from Sakich LLP. Its findings are enlightening and directly applicable, and I’ll share some in a second. But first, consider the definition of “transforming,” and how it applies to additive manufacturing (AM). Transform, according to Merriam-Webster, means to change in composition, structure, character or condition. And while transformation or structural change certainly is not new to manufacturing, the latest forces at work appear to be ushering in transfor- mation at an all-time quick pace.
Industry 4.0 and its digital manufacturing and AM components, along with advanced quality- assurance programs built on computer vision and maintenance programs built on Internet of Things applications, are just a few examples of this transformation.
Digital technologies “are rewriting the rules of competition for industrial companies,” writes Sakich executive Jerry Murphy in his executive summary of
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“Avoid common design flaws, including problems with support structures and designing with unstitched surfaces in CAD files, which then translate to broken STL files.”
the company’s survey. While the changes needed often are cited and well understood (automation, cybersecurity, cre- ative talent-acquisition strategies, etc.), too few manufac- turing companies have made significant transformational progress. For example, less than a third of those surveyed “extensively use” predictive analytics and predictive mainte- nance technology, and just 23 percent extensively use AM.
Certainly, the use of AM will continue to grow—at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 14.4 percent
through 2026 (globally) according to a new report by Reports and Data. However, as manufactur- ers look to implement AM, it’s worth taking a cautious approach, to avoid mistakes and errors that can prove costly.
What are the some of the common mistakes companies make when launching an AM strate- gy? Consider a recent blog post, “6 Common Mistakes in Additive Manufacturing,” from Siemens PLM Software product manager Yahel Aricha. Along with choosing the wrong AM system (maybe consider outsourcing metal 3D printing to “experienced professionals” is a better way to get started), Aricha has this advice:
• Regarding AM software, opt for end-to-end packages that deal with everything from design to post-print validation.
• Avoid common design flaws, including problems with support structures and designing with unstitched surfaces in CAD files, which then translate to broken STL files.
• Be sure to establish acceptable, tight tolerances. “If you apply the traditional standards to additive manufacturing,” he says, “you might find that your parts don’t fit.” He even highlights the “new breed of industrial printers” like the HP Multi Jet Fusion (HP’s AM technology is described in detail in senior editor Lou Kren’s article appearing on page 23 of this issue) that help account for heat, warping and variations in surface finish that can impact tolerances.
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