Rapid Response! Investigating the Effects of Problem Definition on the Characteristics of Additively Manufactured Solutions for COVID-19

Designers from around the world have proposed numerous engineering design solutions for problems related to the COVID-19 pandemic, many of which leverage the rapid prototyping and manufacturing capabilities of additive manufacturing (AM). While some of these solutions are motivated by complex and urgent requirements (e.g., face masks), others are motivated by simpler and less urgent needs (e.g., hands-free door openers). Previous research suggests that problem definition influences the creativity of solutions generated for it. In this study, we investigate the relationship between the definition of problems related to the COVID-19 pandemic and the characteristics of AM solutions that were openly shared for these problems. Specifically, we analyze 26 AM solutions spanning three categories: (1) hands-free door openers (low complexity problem), (2) face shields (moderate complexity problem), and (3) face masks (high complexity problem). These designs were compared on (1) DfAM utilization, (2) manufacturability (i.e., build time, cost, and material usage), and (3) creativity. We see that the solutions designed for the high complexity problem, i.e., face masks, were least suitable for AM. Moreover, we see that solutions designed for the moderate complexity problem, i.e., face shields, had the lowest build time, build cost, and material consumption. Finally, we observe that the problem definition did not relate to the creativity of the AM solutions. In light of these findings, designers must sufficiently emphasize the AM suitability and manufacturability of their solutions when designing for urgent and complex problems in rapid response situations.

3D printing technologies for creating models and nozzles in an aerodynamic shock tunnel experiment

The features of 3D printing method for rapid prototyping and manufacturing of models for a pulsed high-speed gas-dynamic experiment are considered. Modern additive technologies allow the production of models. The basic properties of the materials and the advantages of 3D printing methods are described. The structure and properties of the obtained models can be unattainable using traditional manufacturing techniques. The design of the wind tunnel nozzle block is considered, which provides for the production of profiled contours using 3D printing. The advantages and disadvantages of use of such units on the shock tube are considered.

Maximizing design potential: investigating the effects of utilizing opportunistic and restrictive design for additive manufacturing in rapid response solutions

Purpose The COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in numerous innovative engineering design solutions, several of which leverage the rapid prototyping and manufacturing capabilities of additive manufacturing. This paper aims to study a subset of these solutions for their utilization of design for AM (DfAM) techniques and investigate the effects of DfAM utilization on the creativity and manufacturing efficiency of these solutions. Design/methodology/approach This study compiled 26 COVID-19-related solutions designed for AM spanning three categories: (1) face shields (N = 6), (2) face masks (N = 12) and (3) hands-free door openers (N = 8). These solutions were assessed for (1) DfAM utilization, (2) manufacturing efficiency and (3) creativity. The relationships between these assessments were then computed using generalized linear models to investigate the influence of DfAM utilization on manufacturing efficiency and creativity. Findings It is observed that (1) unique and original designs scored lower in their AM suitability, (2) solutions with higher complexity scored higher on usefulness and overall creativity and (3) solutions with higher complexity had higher build cost, build time and material usage. These findings highlight the need to account for both opportunistic and restrictive DfAM when evaluating solutions designed for AM. Balancing the two DfAM perspectives can support the development of solutions that are creative and consume fewer build resources. Originality/value DfAM evaluation tools primarily focus on AM limitations to help designers avoid build failures. This paper proposes the need to assess designs for both, their opportunistic and restrictive DfAM utilization to appropriately assess the manufacturing efficiency of designs and to realize the creative potential of adopting AM.

Advantages of Additive Manufacturing for Biomedical Applications of Polyhydroxyalkanoates

In recent years, biopolymers have been attracting the attention of researchers and specialists from different fields, including biotechnology, material science, engineering, and medicine. The reason is the possibility of combining sustainability with scientific and technological progress. This is an extremely broad research topic, and a distinction has to be made among different classes and types of biopolymers. Polyhydroxyalkanoate (PHA) is a particular family of polyesters, synthetized by microorganisms under unbalanced growth conditions, making them both bio-based and biodegradable polymers with a thermoplastic behavior. Recently, PHAs were used more intensively in biomedical applications because of their tunable mechanical properties, cytocompatibility, adhesion for cells, and controllable biodegradability. Similarly, the 3D-printing technologies show increasing potential in this particular field of application, due to their advantages in tailor-made design, rapid prototyping, and manufacturing of complex structures. In this review, first, the synthesis and the production of PHAs are described, and different production techniques of medical implants are compared. Then, an overview is given on the most recent and relevant medical applications of PHA for drug delivery, vessel stenting, and tissue engineering. A special focus is reserved for the innovations brought by the introduction of additive manufacturing in this field, as compared to the traditional techniques. All of these advances are expected to have important scientific and commercial applications in the near future.

Optimization of placement in the tasks of rapid prototyping and manufacturing of volumetric parts based on additive technologies

The problem of optimizing the life cycle of complex three-dimensional objects in small-scale production is considered. Additive technologies and optimization algorithms for the placement of three-dimensional objects are considered as technologies to solve this problem. Using the multilevel synthesis method can significantly reduce the time for prototyping new products. It should be noted that since several independent parts can be manufactured at the same time, this problem belongs to the class of optimization geometric modelling problems, namely, the problem of three-dimensional irregular placement. An algorithmic solution is proposed for the most complex task - placing 3D objects in a container. The results of the analysis of the effectiveness of the proposed algorithms are discussed.

Divers Augmented Vision Display (DAVD)

Military diving operations are routinely conducted in what can be one of the most inhospitable environments on the planet, frequently characterized by zero visibility. The inability to clearly see the immediate operational environment has historically been a serious limitation to manned diving operations — whether the mission is ship husbandry, under water construction, salvage, or scientific research. U.S. Navy diving is an integral part of the nation’s defense strategy with a continuing requirement to conduct manned intervention in the water column. To ensure technical superiority across the entire spectrum of diving operations we must identify, exploit, and de velop technology to advance the state-of-the-art in diving equipment. This can only be achieved by investing in, and supporting, focused research and development with specific goals to further diving capabilities. Under a project sponsored by the Office of Naval Research (ONR) and Naval Sea Systems Command (NAVSEA), the Naval Surface Warfare Center-Panama City Division (NSWC PCD) has de veloped a prototype see-through head-up display system for a U. S. Navy diving helmet — the Divers Augmented Vision Display (DAVD). The DAVD system uses waveguide optical display modules that couple images from a micro display into a waveguide optic, translate the images through a series of internal reflections, finally exiting toward the diver’s eye providing a magnified, see-through virtual image at a specific distance in front of the diver. The virtual images can be critical information and sensor data including sonar images, ship husbandry and underwater construction schematics, enhanced navigation displays, augmented reality, and text messages. NSWC PCD is the U.S. Navy’s leading laboratory for research, development, testing, evaluation, and technology transition of diver visual display systems; with unique facilities for rapid prototyping and manufacturing, human systems integration and extreme environment testing. Along with NSWC PCD, the Navy Experimental Diving Unit (NEDU), and Naval Diving and Salvage Training Center (NDSTC) are co-located tenant commands at the Naval Support Activity Panama City (NSA PC). This paper provides a brief background on the development of diver head-up display systems, waveguide optical display technology, development of the DAVD prototype, results of diver evaluations, and recommendations for accelerated development of this game changing capability.

A Roll Powder Sintering Additive Manufacturing Technology

This paper describes the roll powder sintering (RPS) technology providing breakthrough advantages for dominant rapid prototyping and manufacturing (RP&M) processes that are currently on the market. The RPS based on ribbon perforation where a powder needs to be poured, while it is being rewound. When the whole component roll is rewound, it is ready for a sintering plant. This technology has increased reliability, higher precision up to 77000 dpi, lower cost and power consumption. Processing time of plastic, ceramic, metal and other objects 1 m3 (or more) in volume directly from a 3D CAD model with a layer thickness of 30 μm is about 1 hour.

Application of RPM in the Design and Manufacture of Mobile Front Cover

Typical molding methods-Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) were presented on the basis of principle, formation, development of RPM(Rapid Prototyping and Manufacturing). Take mobile front cover as the example, the process of making sample used the method of SLS was introduced.RPM technology for rapid product development model, not only can improve the design quality and shorten the trial period, and can be modified at any time by CAD and re-validation, which has strong market competitiveness. RPM is a multi-disciplinary in a modern manufacturing techniques, will be more widely used in areas such as new product development. In short, rapid prototyping technology will be developed into a kind of technology can be adopted widely in enterprise, bring huge economic benefits to the enterprise and society.