Due to resolving major technological challenges Additive Manufacturing (AM) is on the brink of industrialization. In order to operate capital-intensive AM equipment in an economically viable manner, service providers must configure their production environment in a way which enables high capacity utilization and short throughput times while minimizing work in process. The interrelation of those three mentioned production-related key performance indicators, also known as the scheduling dilemma, must be addressed with due consideration of the technology’s characteristics. Within the framework of this paper the authors describe the impact of a service provider’s facility configuration regarding machine pool, operator availability and distribution of work content on the production system’s utilization. The evaluations rely on a simulation model developed in Matlab®, which allows for modification and execution of production schedules within AM facilities of different configurations. The validation of the proposed model is based on empirical data gathered on the shopfloor of GKN Additive, a global AM service provider.
Since 2001 diode lasers are in use in automotive series production and are still gaining importance. All major Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) are using diode lasers today. Typical applications are welding and brazing of zinc coated steel, welding of aluminum and cutting. Due to significant weight saving potentials the OEMs put a special focus on aluminum welding applications.
For more than thirteen years, diode lasers are used in series body manufacturing. The first diode laser was installed for brazing tailgates in the Audi A3 in 2001. While nowadays diode lasers in car‐body construction are the industry standard for brazing, cutting and welding of aluminum and steel, a new promising technology in bodyshell work emerges: remote laser welding. What are the main advantages of this technology? What are potential applications? How can fiber‐coupled, high power diode lasers create added value in body‐in‐white (BIW) remote‐welding applications?
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