Purpose -This paper aims to present a methodology to help end-users to find appropriate part candidates for the use of the additive manufacturing (AM) technology. These shall be capable of bringing AM into their businesses. The concept furthermore includes approaches for redesigning current available parts and helps to estimate the economic implications of the use of the technology. Design/methodology/approach -The approach starts to discuss general economic aspects for the successful use of AM. While describing the introduction of new technologies into existing businesses, the importance of an appropriate part selection for AM is pointed out. A methodology for a part selection process is presented, and the different criteria are developed. An approach for a redesign of the selected parts, including the gathering of requirements, is given based on different sample parts. A variation of criteria to include measures for product piracy is highlighted. Findings -The methodology has proven applicability in several research and industry projects in aerospace applications. Independent part selections from experts analyzed within a project of the European Space Agency had a 90 per cent overlap with the results. It allows companies with only basic AM knowledge to start a part screening for applicable AM candidates in their own company with a reasonable effort. Originality/value -The methodology for the redesign process helps to identify the main functions of the products targeted and the relevant environment, so one can benefit from the various advantages that AM has to offer. The selection methodology helps to ask the right questions and to reduce the effort.

the further product development process will be described. This includes approaches for functional integration as well as a methodology for the compilation of part requirements. Those are utilized for a black box methodology, ensuring a time-efficient redesign based on FEA optimization and design rules for additive manufacturing. Best practices for integrating (or in the best case avoiding) traditional technologies are discussed. Based on this, the development of industrialization and test and verification plans for production are shown. This includes the marking of parts for traceability during the whole product lifecycle for quality reasons as well as for product protection. Furthermore, production and production planning are discussed. This is followed by post-processing and testing procedures of the part. The paper will close with a detailed economic view on the topic and some deductions regarding the changes in the supply chain. The methodology itself is discussed and explained on a real sample metal part. The general methodology is discussed on the basis of the space industry but is subject to be adapted to other industries.

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