How the socio-economic benefits of Rapid Manufacturing can be used to off-set the technological limitations
Dr Phil Reeves - Managing Director of Econolyst Ltd
ABSTRACT - Much has been written about the technological capabilities and constrains of Solid Freeform Fabrication (SFF) technologies for the manufacture of end-use component parts, in the application we now know as 'Rapid Manufacturing or RM'. In many cases, RM is benchmarked against more traditional processes such as injection moulding, die casting and more recently CNC machining, both in terms of the capabilities of the process and the resulting mechanical and geometric integrity of the resulting parts. In many cases, this activity remains the limiting factor in the justification or dismissal of RM as a disruptive technology.
In this paper the author looks beyond these 'traditional engineering metrics' of process selection into the socio-economic benefits of RM and how the technology can be used to enable entire new business models and supply chains. The paper looks at where RM can add value across the product life cycle, from customer engagement and new supply chain configurations to new service and supply models. The paper looks at the environmental and societal benefits of RM and how the technology can and will be used to respond to shifting global demographic and economic patterns, such as the aging population, increasing fuel costs, limited natural resources and ever changing consumer trends. The paper draws on the Experiences of the author working with both companies to implement RM solutions and a number of Universities research projects to scope the future of this innovative and exciting technology.
Biography
Dr Phil Reeves (PhD Manufacture Engineering, BEng Hons Produce Design & Manufacturing) is the managing director of Econolyst Ltd and an experienced researcher and strategist on the future of the Rapid Manufacturing economy, it technologies, business implementation, education and supply chain. Phil has spent over 10-years working with some of the world most influential companies helping them to maximize the use of Additive Technologies and Rapid Manufacturing Applications. Dr Reeves has worked on Rapid Manufacturing project within the aerospace, automotive, medical, consumer goods and retail sectors, including projects with governmental agencies across Europe to assess the impact of Rapid Manufacturing at a local, national and international level.
Phil Reeves graduated from Brunel University (UK) with an honour's degree in Product Design & Manufacture Engineering and Nottingham University (UK) with a PhD in advanced manufacturing focused on the Additive Manufacturing Stereolithography process. His career has centred within business to business consulting, strategic business planning and the business functions of new product & process innovation.
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