A Manager's Guide to Large Scale Additive Manufacturing: Understanding a New Technology

Industrial additive manufacturing is currently being used successfully every day to produce some of the largest composite parts ever made. These include large aerospace molds and tools, foundry patterns for various industries, chassis for electric busses and what is likely the tallest 3D printed structure ever made. Although the process results in substantial savings and dramatically reduces lead time, much of industry today still doesn't understand it.

In this book, the author, who was instrumental in developing the technology actually being used in industry today, explains in everyday language what it is, how it works, what actually works, and what doesn't. He provides a guide for non-technical managers to help them understand the basics so they can evaluate how this new technology might impact their company.

He explores all aspects of this process in clear, easy to understand language including the print process, polymers, software, trimming, cost savings, time savings, computer simulation and the practical, real world, aspects of getting into large scale additive. He includes sometimes humorous vignettes about surprises, missteps and stumbles during initial technology development and how they were handled.

If you are a manager in an industrial company who might benefit from large scale additive technology, or, if your company is actively exploring this area, this book will give you the background you need to participate and make better decisions. It will also help you cut through confusion and crosstalk that often accompanies a new technology like this.