Large Format Additive Manufacturing

Comprehensive reference on the technology of large format additive manufacturing Additive manufacturing (AM) has been adopted by several industries for high- and low-volume fabrication of three-dimensional workpieces such as machine parts, tools and specialized engineering components. Depending on the desired result, additive manufacturing technologies can be employed using base materials such as polymers, metals or clays and cements. The recent technology progress also allows for the energy-, material- and time-efficient fabrication of large format workpieces and intermediate products from the centimeter to the meter range. Large Format Additive Manufacturing reviews the fabrication-relevant aspects of large format additive manufacturing with polymeric, cement and clay as well as metallic materials, covering the technologies, the specifics of the employed materials, most prevalent applications and the characterization and the implementation in large-scale industrial processes. The book is divided into three main sections, each dedicated to a material family, with additional chapters addressing the specific nature of each family. In Large Format Additive Manufacturing, readers find: First-hand insights to develop cost- and material-efficient production of mass-customized goods Clear guidance on how to transfer findings from the lab into industrial production processes Information on material characterization, simulation approaches, and economic drivers Case studies providing a broad and updated view of the field from experts across various disciplines Showing a clear path towards large-scale precision manufacturing of intermediate and finished engineering products, Large Format Additive Manufacturing is an essential up-to-date reference for materials scientists, process engineers, mechanical engineers, professionals in the metal processing industry, and research centers and companies interested in exploring this exciting field.