Additive manufacturing and quality: a white paper

Manufacturers of 3D printers offer high-performance devices adapted to amateurs as well as industrial companies.

Additive manufacturing offers almost unlimited versatility and design freedom(Freedom of Design)that predestined it for rapid prototyping, but also for light construction or cost-effective production of spare parts, auxiliary means and tools (so-called Rapid Tooling).

It is therefore no coincidence that the sectors that rely more and more on these application scenarios are also pioneers of 3D printing: the automotive industry, the aerospace sector and medical technology. For industries in the medical sector, for example, the high level of customization is the decisive argument in favor of the use of 3D printing processes.

For companies considering integrating additive processes into manufacturing, metrology system manufacturer Accretech has published a white paper "Additive Manufacturing: Measurement Technique for Quality Assurance" to guide the first steps in the world of 3D printing. An educational work that helps to understand how Industry 4.0 trends influence quality assurance in additive manufacturing and shape the future of this process.

The white paper indicates, in particular, that the tolerances applicable to deviations in 3D printing are, in general, about 0.1 mm. Thus, contrary to popular belief, tolerances are therefore more generous than in machining processes, where tolerances of the order of one hundredth of a millimetre are most often used, especially in the treatment of metals. "However, an elaborate and standardized quality control system is essential because accuracy and reproducibility are a prerequisite for mass production of other industrial applications of 3D printing,"the guide says.

Which additive manufacturing processes are relevant to the industry? What parameters have a significant influence on the quality of 3D printed components? With what technologies can these parameters be controlled? These are questions to ask yourself before embarking on additive manufacturing.

To view the white paper:
www.accretech.eu/fr/livre-blanc-fabrication-additive

Visit the site:
www.accretech.eu