3d Printing Sustainability Issues, the Case of Multi Mailboxes Production 

Abstract

3D printing has been recognized as a productive and feasible innovation within the fields of progressed fabricating. In the past few years, a considerable research conducted to advance 3D printing for a better performance in manufacturing. However, the benefits of 3D printing from environmental perspective are still to be evaluated. In this paper in order to better evaluate the sustainability of 3D printing processes quantitatively and better guide the decision-makers, proposed a framework for 3D printing processes sustainability assessment as a novel system for decision making. In addition, for sustainability assessment Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) were utilized. A multiple mailboxes design is used as a case study for this to provide a comprehensive understanding of 3D printing for the public and provide a better guide for the future research. The results have shown that material waste can be significant reduced and also the supporting material based on product redesign.