How Can I Effectively Integrate Additive and Conventional Manufacturing

The benefits of Additive Manufacturing (AM) have rightly been heralded for their potential impact on many industries. The perception is that by adopting AM, it elevates the capabilities of an entire company. While this can be true, AM is rarely a sole performer in the manufacturing space and is only beneficial when paired with additional manufacturing techniques.

One may consider AM as “another tool in the toolbox,” however what other manufacturing processes can it be complementary to - and what is an optimal way for them to co-exist?

Come and survey the ways that directed energy deposition and material extrusion can impact and integrate with mainstream manufacturing methods including machining, casting, forging, and coating technologies. In some cases, AM indirectly improves some steps of a much larger process flow. In other cases, AM can be used to directly augment parts made fully or partially by these mainstream techniques. In all cases, the use of digitally driven manufacturing is often more amenable to additional automation, data harvesting, and inspection than traditional techniques. Ultimately this enables more intelligent deployment of higher flexibility systems to achieve unrivaled part performance at a lower cost of ownership. Examples of this will be showcased to provide attendees with a broadened perspective on how to integrate AM and conventional manufacturing more effectively.