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Article
Publication date: 10 June 2014

Bo Jansen, Eugeni L. Doubrovski and Jouke C. Verlinden

This paper investigates how designers exploit the full potential of additive manufacturing (AM). AM yields a broad range of advantageous properties including the possibility to…

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Abstract

Purpose

This paper investigates how designers exploit the full potential of additive manufacturing (AM). AM yields a broad range of advantageous properties including the possibility to fabricate mechanical multi-body structures.

Design/methodology/approach

This case study explores the possibilities and limitations in designing mechanical multi-body structures for AM, focused on the development of a selective laser sintering (SLS) version of Theo Jansen’s “Strandbeest” walking mechanism, dubbed Animaris Geneticus Parvus (AGP). We discuss the design process and considerations involved and attempt to distill design guidelines.

Findings

Novel structural solutions were developed to enable SLS fabrication of the AGP, specifically cross-shaped pivot pins, increased clearance between bodies, spacing studs, restricting axial play with pins, partial disassemblies and increased clearance around extremities. The result is a functioning walking mechanism of 74 components can be fabricated at once without human intervention.

Research limitations/implications

This article represents a case study; although it does mention adapted design rules for SLS, its greatest contribution is the holistic approach – to integrate a number of engineering challenges in one prototypical manifestation.

Practical implications

Part consolidation by AM could bring great benefits in future product design applications. The findings show that complex multi-body mechanical structures with more than 70 elements are feasible by AM without assembly. This presents new business opportunities for AM service bureaus and novel product opportunities for designers.

Originality/value

As a case study, this article provides inspiration of the mechanical complexity beyond regular products – from original idea to end result. For researchers, key contribution is the approach in obtaining design optimization strategies which provides engineering designers with a new language to consider SLS.

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Article
Publication date: 14 January 2022

Martins Ugonna Obi, Patrick Pradel, Matt Sinclair and Richard Bibb

The purpose of this paper is to understand how Design for Additive manufacturing Knowledge has been developing and its significance to both academia and industry.

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Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this paper is to understand how Design for Additive manufacturing Knowledge has been developing and its significance to both academia and industry.

Design/methodology/approach

In this paper, the authors use a bibliometric approach to analyse publications from January 2010 to December 2020 to explore the subject areas, publication outlets, most active authors, geographical distribution of scholarly outputs, collaboration and co-citations at both institutional and geographical levels and outcomes from keywords analysis.

Findings

The findings reveal that most knowledge has been developed in DfAM methods, rules and guidelines. This may suggest that designers are trying to learn new ways of harnessing the freedom offered by AM. Furthermore, more knowledge is needed to understand how to tackle the inherent limitations of AM processes. Moreover, DfAM knowledge has thus far been developed mostly by authors in a small number of institutional and geographical clusters, potentially limiting diverse perspectives and synergies from international collaboration which are essential for global knowledge development, for improvement of the quality of DfAM research and for its wider dissemination.

Originality/value

A concise structure of DfAM knowledge areas upon which the bibliometric analysis was conducted has been developed. Furthermore, areas where research is concentrated and those that require further knowledge development are revealed.

Details

Rapid Prototyping Journal, vol. 28 no. 5
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1355-2546

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