A Holistic View on Sustainability in Additive and Subtractive Manufacturing: A Comparative Empirical Study of Eyewear Production Systems

Abstract

To achieve sustainability across the product life cycle, attention to the production process is a prerequisite. As a result of technological advancements, innovation and inventions in production methods are in full swing. Production methods that enable mass customisation (MC) are one of the recent developments in the production domain. This study aims to empirically explore the sustainability impact of two MC-oriented production methods, namely, additive manufacturing (i.e., Selective Laser Sintering) and subtractive manufacturing (Computer Numerical Control Milling) within two complete production lines (i.e., from raw material to assembly) for a wearable product. In the context of the triple bottom line framework, the production lines are analysed from an economic, environmental, and social standpoint. A Discrete-Event Simulation (DES) is used to quantify and compare both production systems with their inherent variability in a dynamic setting of fluctuating order volume and diversity. The findings of the simulation are qualitatively evaluated using expert interviews. This study provides a detailed insight into several sustainability trade-offs in production systems where additive and subtractive manufacturing are involved.

Learn to Interpret and Conduct Rotation Methods in SPSS With Data From the Northern Ireland Life and Times Survey (2014)

“…However, empirical evidence to support said theoretical win-win-win environment remains scarce, and sometimes even contradictory. The obtained results suggest that, given the right conditions (including a clear management commitment to continuous improvement and sustainable performance), this scenario is achievable in practice, avoiding undesirable trade-offs among TBL dimensions that have been evidenced in other contexts or sectors (Orjuela-Castro et al, 2019;Solaimani et al, 2021;Stindt, 2017).…”

“…Simulation tools and software can provide the means to test multiple scenarios to determine cause-effect relationships between the studied variables (Velásquez Rodríguez and Moreno Mantilla, 2017). In this way the effect of lean practices on sustainability indicators can be assessed on different scenarios, as previously explored by authors such as Diaz-Elsayed et al (2013), Herrmann et al (2008), and Solaimani et al (2021 on different contexts. Simulation results could then be used to create optimization algorithms that can be of practical use for companies while implementing LM and pursuing sustainability goals (Caldera et al, 2017;Sproedt et al, 2015).…”

Life Cycle Assessment and Cost Analysis of Additive Manufacturing Repair Processes in the Mold Industry

“…The increase of active time in the DED system can greatly increase the consumption of electricity, argon, and powder. When comparing the performance of the repairing with conventional production, a better environmental and economic performance is verified but not guaranteed, as confirmed by the current literature in AM technology [56,57]. As the impacts and costs from the conventional scenario increase with the size of the mold to be produced, due to the proportional increase of resources and waste generation, so does the impacts and costs from the repairing scenario if the damaged area is increased.…”

The Design and Testing of an Additive Manufacturing-Obtained Compliant Mechanism for the Complex Personalisation of Lenses in Clinical Optometry

“…For example, the appearance of personalized glasses frames obtained using additive technologies [15] can be considered a beginning for the further development and revolutionizing of the optometric field, respecting all the physiological and anatomical features of a person and taking into account the client's desires and his anthropometric data. Selective laser deposition technology [16,17] using metal/polymeric powders has proven to be the most suitable for the manufacturing of frames, and its advantage is the almost complete absence of scraps, unlike traditional production where considerable material losses are recorded. Additive technologies can also allow for the production of various lenses [18] and innovative and multifunctional components, which can simplify, optimize and miniaturize optical systems, being able to perfect medical instruments, equipment for scientific research or household equipment.…”