Advancements in Additive Layer Manufacturing (ALM) technology and a broader knowledge base of process and material capabilities make ALM increasingly a more valid manufacturing option. The choice of potential ALM manufacturing methods for Rapid Manufacturing (RM) applications has grown over the last decade as has understanding of the constraints each process has.
This paper presents a method for selecting an appropriate ALM technology, based on a part specification, as an ALM selection tool.
The paper goes on to define sets of process specific design methods or guidelines, existing to help optimise a design for a particular process once it has been selected and validated as a method of manufacture.