Automated process planning for metal hybrid additive and subtractive manufacturing

Abstract

<p>The manufacturing industry is currently evolving from mass production to mass customization and ultimately towards mass personalization. Direct Digital Manufacturing (DDM) is deemed as a key to the future of manufacturing, and Hybrid Additive and Subtractive Manufacturing (Hybrid AM/SM) can be a path to realize it. While Hybrid AM/SM equipment are being developed, automated process planning for them is far from being integrated. Enabling automated process planning for Hybrid AM/SM will bring the integrationof AM and SM to an unprecedented level. This research problem spans multiple aspects of Computer Aided Design (CAD), Computer Aided Process Planning (CAPP) and Computer Aided Manufacturing (CAM). This presentation introduces several proposed methods for AM/SM automated process planning, including an out-of-envelope method, Design-for-Hybrid systems and future integration modes for Hybrid AM/SM. The results of this work will enable integration of the extraordinary geometric capabilities of Additive Manufacturing with the precision of subtractive methods.</p>