Additive Manufacturing Cost Models: A Critical Review for Production Economics
Category: Resource Management · Effect: Moderate effect · Year: 2016
Existing cost models for Additive Manufacturing (AM) offer a framework for evaluating production economics, but require careful consideration of their strengths and weaknesses for effective implementation.
Design Takeaway
When evaluating the cost-effectiveness of Additive Manufacturing for a design project, select and critically assess cost models that align with the specific AM process, materials, and production scale being considered.
Why It Matters
As AM technologies mature and become more integrated into industrial production, understanding their cost implications is crucial for design and manufacturing professionals. A robust cost model can inform decisions about material selection, process optimization, and overall project viability.
Key Finding
The review found that while several cost models for Additive Manufacturing are available, they vary in their approach and effectiveness, highlighting a need for careful selection and application based on specific production contexts.
Key Findings
- Various cost models exist for AM, addressing different aspects of production economics.
- Each model has inherent strengths and weaknesses related to their scope, assumptions, and the specific AM technologies they address.
- The maturity of AM technology necessitates a deeper focus on managerial aspects like cost control.
Research Evidence
Aim: To critically analyze existing cost models for Additive Manufacturing from an operations management perspective, identifying their strengths and weaknesses.
Method: Literature Review
Procedure: The study systematically reviewed academic literature on cost models specifically developed for Additive Manufacturing processes, evaluating their methodologies, assumptions, and applicability.
Context: Industrial manufacturing, operations management, additive manufacturing
Design Principle
Cost models for emerging manufacturing technologies should be critically evaluated for their scope, assumptions, and applicability to the specific design and production context.
How to Apply
When proposing an AM solution, present a cost analysis using a relevant model, clearly stating its assumptions and limitations, and comparing it to traditional manufacturing costs.
Limitations
The review is based on existing literature, and the rapid evolution of AM technology may mean some models are becoming outdated. The focus is primarily on economic aspects, potentially overlooking other critical factors.
Student Guide (IB Design Technology)
Simple Explanation: There are different ways to calculate the cost of making things with 3D printers, but each way has good and bad points. It's important to pick the right way to calculate costs for your project.
Why This Matters: Understanding cost models helps you justify your design choices, especially when comparing traditional manufacturing methods with newer ones like Additive Manufacturing.
Critical Thinking: How might the rapid pace of innovation in Additive Manufacturing render current cost models obsolete or less accurate over time?
IA-Ready Paragraph: This research highlights the importance of critically evaluating cost models for Additive Manufacturing (AM) from an operations management perspective. As AM matures, understanding its economic implications is vital. The literature review indicates that while various cost models exist, each possesses distinct strengths and weaknesses, necessitating careful selection based on the specific AM technology, materials, and production scale. Therefore, when developing a design project involving AM, it is crucial to apply a relevant cost model, clearly articulating its assumptions and limitations, and to compare these costs against traditional manufacturing alternatives.
Project Tips
- When researching costs for your design project, look for studies that compare different cost models for your chosen manufacturing method.
- Be specific about the type of Additive Manufacturing process (e.g., FDM, SLA, SLS) when searching for cost models.
How to Use in IA
- Use this review to inform your cost analysis section, explaining the challenges of costing AM and justifying the model you choose to use.
Examiner Tips
- Demonstrate an understanding of the complexities involved in costing novel manufacturing processes.
- Critically evaluate the chosen cost model, acknowledging its limitations.
Independent Variable: ["Type of Additive Manufacturing cost model","Specific Additive Manufacturing process"]
Dependent Variable: ["Calculated production cost","Model applicability/accuracy"]
Controlled Variables: ["Material properties","Part geometry complexity","Production volume"]
Strengths
- Provides a comprehensive overview of existing AM cost models.
- Focuses on the managerial and economic aspects of AM adoption.
Critical Questions
- Which cost model is most appropriate for a low-volume, high-complexity AM part?
- How can cost models be adapted to account for the environmental impact of AM processes?
Extended Essay Application
- Investigate the cost-effectiveness of using AM for a specific product compared to traditional methods, using and critically evaluating a chosen cost model.
Source
Cost models of additive manufacturing: A literature review · International Journal of Industrial Engineering Computations · 2016 · 10.5267/j.ijiec.2016.9.001