Framework for Life Cycle Sustainability Assessment of Additive Manufacturing

Abstract

Additive manufacturing (AM) is a group of technologies that create objects by adding material layer upon layer, in precise geometric shapes. They are amongst the most disruptive technologies nowadays, potentially changing value chains from the design process to the end-of-life, providing significant advantages over traditional manufacturing processes in terms of flexibility in design and production and waste minimization. Nevertheless, sustainability assessment should also be included in the research agenda as these technologies affect the People, the Planet and the Profit: the three-bottom line (3BL) assessment framework. Moreover, AM sustainability depends on each product and context that strengthens the need for its assessment through the 3BL framework. This paper explores the literature on AM sustainability, and the results are mapped in a framework aiming to support comprehensive assessments of the AM impacts in the 3BL dimensions by companies and researchers. To sustain the coherence of boundaries, three life cycle methods are proposed, each one for a specific dimension of the 3BL analysis, and two illustrative case studies are shown to exemplify the model.

Impact Assessment of Additive Manufacturing on Sustainable Business Models in Industry 4.0 Context

“…According to some authors, business models for additive manufacturing technology are still immature for large-scale adoption [68]. However, the market range of emerging additive manufacturing technology is growing and belonging to the most varied sectors, namely construction [69], general manufacturing [70], aerospace [71], electronics [72], security [73], fashion in jewels, architecture, decoration and medicine [74].…”

“…Turning the perspective to the different stages of technology, another study analyzed the impact of the four stages of additive manufacturing adoption [68]: (1) rapid prototyping, (2) tools, (3) direct manufacturing and (4) domestic manufacturing. Although the impact of prototyping and tooling is limited in extent, direct manufacturing and domestic manufacturing has the potential to be highly disruptive.…”

“…The relentless pursuit of strategic reinvention is considered essential for cutting-edge technologies and in areas of rapid change [68]. Taking into account these rapid changes in the market, Bugdahn and Rogers [53] studied a business model within the consulting sector.…”

“…Regarding the life cycle of the product, the higher this cycle is, the lower the environmental impact derived from the manufacturing of this product. In this sense, products made by additive manufacturing can be fairly advantageous [68]. When a product comprised of several pieces is fabricated by injection molding and one of them is damaged, in general, a new product must be purchased.…”

Development and optimization of polypropylene-based powders for selective laser sintering

“…AM enables low-volume, customized manufacturing and great design freedom, and products that comprise multiple components can now be redesigned and fabricated without assembly, thereby resulting in enhanced product performance and efficiency [1,2]. AM is also viewed as an environmentally sustainable manufacturing technology and can potentially reduce up to 525.5 Mt of total carbon dioxide emissions by 2025 [3,4]. In product development, AM can reduce development costs by up to 70% and time to market by up to 90% [2].…”