Applications and Challenges in Additive Manufacturing — Lesson 3

This lesson covers the applications, benefits, and challenges of metal additive manufacturing. It delves into the various sectors where additive manufacturing is used, such as aerospace, automobile, medical, dental, jewelry, clothing, and food industries. The lesson also discusses the evolution of additive manufacturing from 1990 to 2040, highlighting the fully adopted and emerging applications. It further explores the challenges faced in additive manufacturing, including qualified material, speed and productivity, repeatability and quality assurance, industry-wide standards, end-to-end workflow integration, software limitations, initial financial investment, security, and skilled labor. The lesson concludes with an assignment for learners to research more about additive manufacturing processes.

Video Highlights

00:30 - Overview of various sectors where additive manufacturing is used
02:15 - Future prospects of additive manufacturing in bio-fabrication
13:56 - Discussion on the challenges in additive manufacturing such as qualified material, speed and productivity, repeatability and quality assurance
19:17 - Explanation of the opportunities in additive manufacturing such as closed-loop control system, industry-wide standards, and end-to-end workflow integration

Key Takeaways

- Additive manufacturing has a wide range of applications across various sectors, from aerospace to food industries.
- The evolution of additive manufacturing has seen a shift from design verification and rapid tooling to biodegradable implants and non-planar electronics.
- Challenges in additive manufacturing include qualified material, speed and productivity, repeatability and quality assurance, and industry-wide standards.
- Other challenges include end-to-end workflow integration, software limitations, initial financial investment, security, and skilled labor.
- There are opportunities for improvement and innovation in addressing these challenges.