David M. Dietrich

Methods and Considerations for the Development of Emerging Manufacturing Technologies into a Global Aerospace Supply Chain

Global aerospace manufacturing has resulted in a direct need for the development of new manufacturing techniques and machines. These emerging technologies require a specific approach to technology, supplier and enterprise communication development. However, a global strategy for aerospace supply-chains is difficult to develop, specifically for new manufacturing technologies. Within large aerospace companies, it is challenging to assess emerging technologies with respect to manufacturing readiness level and risk. The research provided discusses a technique used to assess risk coupled with manufacturing readiness level maturation for emerging technologies using both qualitative and quantitative methods. Developing customer requirements for a new manufacturing technology is challenging when multiple customers exist for the proposed technology. Technology experts are found within the company and executive champions are solicited to assist in sponsoring the emerging technology. This research covers proven heuristics developed for marketing the emerging technology throughout the aerospace enterprise. Also, the experience level of the supplier to adopt the emerging technology acts as a critical element in defining a deployment strategy within the aerospace company. Once manufacturing technologies are developed, communicating the emerging technology is necessary. Supplier involvement, supply chain flexibility, and enterprise communication strategies are highlighted with respect to a global supply-chain for aerospace.

Impact of integrative design on additive manufacturing quality

To move additive manufacturing (AM) into a realm of credible manufacturing, quality evaluation techniques must be established to highlight the potential gains of AM technologies in the field of production quality in terms of dimensional control. This research aims to express the relationship among AM-enabled integrative design and quality evaluation techniques. The methodology proposed is backed by a comprehensive literature review that covers AM dimensional quality and conventional quality assessment techniques for production. The research proposes modelling the positive impact of integrating design using Taguchi’s quality loss function (QLF) and tolerance stack-up models. In addition, the research provides a straightforward way to evaluate AM-enabled integrated designs that promotes the proliferation of AM technology as a sustainable and credible manufacturing method. A case study is presented that describes how to apply Taguchi’s QLF to AM integrated designs.

Additive manufacturing mechanical property assessment and part candidate screening

The field of rapid prototyping has demonstrated elements of production to become rapid manufacturing (RM). Key elements of this transition involve a distinct requirement for a consistent mechanical property evaluation technique to be used as a baseline for direct part fabrication. This research portrays proven techniques developed by industry to evaluate additive manufacturing (AM) for a variety of applications. Data are generated using the techniques provided and are applied to the generation of statistical analysis assessments. These data are compiled and used by design engineers to assess the technical feasibility of RM for integrated designs. Fused deposition modelling is gaining ground for AM applications. The research provided offers a path for technical specification development using case examples.