Will Additive Manufacturing Replace Conventional Processes?

July 4, 2011

Andrzej Grzesiak, head of the Fraunhofer Additive Manufacturing Alliance at the Stuttgart, Germany-based Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology and Automation (IPA), talks about the benefits of additive manufacturing.

CIM: Does additive manufacturing offer any advantages in regard to producing complex geometries?

Grzesiak: The salient advantage of layer-forming processes is that any conceivable shape that can be created in a 3-D CAD program can actually be produced. There are no restrictions in terms of manufacturing transparent or hollow structures, nor are there any problems with complex geometries and freeform designs.

We’re already seeing the first best-case applications with implants, dental technology, and light automation components. Individualized mass production is up and running almost everywhere in these fields. We’re also seeing new applications in aircraft manufacture, where metal-based, lightweight construction using titanium is set to play a particularly large role.

CIM: Can additive manufacturing entirely replace conventional processes?

Grzesiak: No, nor should this be the goal of development work. The right approach is to define the correct application categories and to replace existing conventional technologies only where commercial and technical advantages are to be gained. The technologies should coexist and complement each other to optimum effect.

CIM: So there’s no risk that additive manufacturing will in the long term put conventional machine tools out of work?

Grzesiak: You should never say never, but I don’t think so. Both technologies simply have their own advantages that can be selectively utilized. There are, however, certain fields, such as dental prosthetics, in which the machine tool will in my estimation be replaced over the next few years.

For more information, visit www.ipa.fraunhofer.de.