Content and Functions of an Internet-Based Platform for Supporting Development of Additively Manufactured Parts

Abstract

To enable efficient and effective development of additively manufactured parts, the development process can be supported by a tailored information platform. In this paper, an Internet-based information platform for this purpose is presented. A survey in an industrial environment with 35 participants was conducted to determine the beneficial functions and information on the platform. This paper presents the results of the survey and the realization of an information platform as a digital support tool for designing additively manufactured parts.

A Methodical Approach to Support Conceptual Design for Multi-Material Additive Manufacturing

“…Moreover, Kamps et al (2017) developed a TRIZ-based design framework, that includes a database of biomimetic analogies to support the evolution of design solutions regarding AM based on a functional analysis. Weiss et al (2018) created an internet-based platform to facilitate the development of additively manufactured parts. The contents of the tool is structured by the stages of the general design development process of VDI Guideline 2221.…”

“…In general, in the early design stages the provision of opportunistic knowledge (ʻDesign with Xʼ) about AM capabilities is much more effective than knowledge about specific process limitations (Laverne et al 2016). However, for both an evaluation of pertinent solutions for the design problem and the arrangement of the product architecture manufacturability (ʻDesign for Xʼ) has also been considered in conceptual design (Laverne et al, 2017, Pradel et al, 2018, Weiss et al, 2018. In addition, Pradel et al (2018) criticise the lack of effective guidance in conceptual design.…”

“…Additive manufacturing (AM) has been established for the direct manufacturing of functional parts (33.1%) in comparison to its original purpose for prototyping (31.1%) (Weiss et al, 2018, Wohlers Associates, 2018. Due to its unique design capabilities AM enables an innovative product design that requires a change of working principles and challenges designerʼs creativity in conceptual design (Kumke et al, 2017, Yang et al, 2018, Richter et al, 2018.…”

“…For example, ME allows the integration of damping structures (Rothe et al, 2018), tactile sensors (Leigh et al, 2012) or radiant heat surfaces (Watschke et al, 2019). On the basis of a survey Weiss et al (2018) revealed that function integration is one of the main reason for interest in design for AM. To take advantage of such new design capabilities in ideation a provision of AM specific knowledge is needed at the right time during the early design stages and with the right content (Laverne et al, 2017).…”

Industrial evaluation of design heuristics for additive manufacturing

“…They have been validated extensively with novice and expert designers (Yilmaz, Seifert, & Gonzalez 2010; Christian et al 2012; Daly et al 2012; Yilmaz et al 2013 a , b ; Kramer et al 2014). Design heuristics and principles are also a popular way to communicate the design possibilities surrounding AM (Perez et al 2015; Perez 2018; Yang, Page, & Zhao 2018; Schumacher et al 2019; Valjak & Bojčetić 2019; Watschke et al 2019).…”