Product Development & DfAM in the Dawn of Digital Transformation
Empire Group provides a glimpse into the future of product development and how an understanding of DfAM is critical to the success of PD professionals and manufacturers alike. You’ll learn some of the basic fundamentals of DfAM and see real-world design examples and optimizations from Empire Group’s Design & Engineering team.
Website: www.empiregroupusa.com
Phone: 508-222-3003
email: info@empirepd.com
2. Empire Group is a full-service product development company that enables
product developers, designers, engineers, and entrepreneurs to move with
speed, flexibility, and confidence through ALL stages of product
development, from virtually any starting point.
ABOUT EMPIRE GROUP
CREATE. ITERATE. ACCELERATE.
TMt
3. INTRODUCTION
“An industry once considered a gimmick is proving itself
to be a formidable giant. Make no mistake: 3-D printing
will be a force that upends nearly every industry over the
coming decade.” – Forbes Technology Council
“We are going to live in a world where anyone can
create and customize, and iterate with blinding speed.”
– Financial Expert @ Forbes
“It’s going to usher in a new era of localized, distributed
manufacturing that is actually based on digital
fabrication.” – Avi Reichental (CEO of 3D Systems)
THE IMPACTS OF ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING
4. EVOLUTION OF ADDITIVE
The 1980s: Birth of the 3 main 3D Printing Techniques
The 1990s: The Rise of 3D Printers, Manufacturers & CAD tools
The 2000s: 3D Printing “Goes Viral”
2010s - Present: Rapid Adoption of Additive Manufacturing
The Future: Industry 4.0
RAPID EXPANSION IN TECHNOLOGY
7 Categories of Additive Manufacturing
Processes and 20+ 3D Printing Technologies
5. WHAT IS
INDUSTRY 4.0?
It is a “buzzword” describing a digital
transformation in manufacturing.
The inevitable culmination of:
Artificial Intelligence
Robotics
IoT Technology
Data
Additive Manufacturing
6. WHAT DOES THIS
MEAN FOR PRODUCT
DEVELOPMENT?
Innovation in process calls for innovation in design
Breakthroughs in manufacturing ≠ breakthroughs in design
Largest impact on design and engineering
Steep learning curve
Test processes and materials, iterate designs, and prepare
now for the transformation
Early adoption = competitive advantage
“A MAN WILL BE IMPRISONED IN A ROOM WITH A DOOR
THAT'S UNLOCKED AND OPENS INWARDS; AS LONG AS
IT DOES NOT OCCUR TO HIM TO PULL RATHER THAN
PUSH.” - LUDWIG WITTGENSTEIN
MJF Manufactured Parts/Product
8. REWRITTING THE RULE BOOK FOR
MODERN DESIGN AND ENGINEERING
THINK DfAM
Design for Manufacturing (DFM): Optimizing the part design
for manufacturing feasibility and bringing down costs
Design for Assembly (DFA): Design to reduce cost by
making the assembly process easy
Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM): Design for
part consolidation. Process specific. Purpose specific.
MJF Manufactured Promo Item
Source: “7 PRINCIPLES FOR DESIGN FOR ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING (DFAM)”, Simon Indrele, Fischer Unitech 2018
9. DfAM PROS & CONS
Design freedom and flexibility
Part consolidation
Stronger parts, lighter weight, complexity
Accelerated development cycle
Immediate feedback on design
PROS
Steep learning curve
Design is process specific
Machines are costly
New & evolving technologies
Material limitations
CONS
HP printheads manufacturing line: Drill extraction shoe
10. APPLICATION
When significant cost savings can be realized
When the materials available meet production requirement
Low volume, high complexity, highly customized products
Low-mid volume like-products, materials meet needs
WHEN TO USE AM FOR PRODUCTION
Carbon 3D Manufactured Shoe
MJF Manufactured Parts/Product
11. Vat Polymerization (SLA)
Powder Bed Fusion (SLS, MJF*)
Material Extrusion (FDM)
Digital Light Synthesis (DLS*)
WELL-KNOWN PROCESSES
*HPs MJF & Carbon’s DLP are the only plastics technologies
currently used for true production at this time.
12. DESIGN PRINCIPLES
General rules of thumb:
Parts should be redesigned for AM and not simply
reproduced using an AM process.
Designers & Engineers adopting DfAM must extend
their line of thinking to the entire production system.
DfAM is best implemented when there are clear lines
of communication from concept to production.
“IN AM, COMPLEXITY IS FREE. SO STEP BACK AWAY FROM
THE CONSTRAINTS OF OLD. JUST LET YOUR MIND SOAR,
DESIGN WHAT YOU WANT AND LET THE SOFTWARE DO THE
REST.” – AVI REICHENTAL (CEO OF 3D SYSTEMS)
13. DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
What are your requirements? What is most important?
Nice-to-haves vs. must-haves? Tradeoffs in cost, quality, and time.
RESOURCE REDUCTION QUALITY ENHANCEMENT
Weight & Cost Print Time Touch Time Strength Aesthetic Functionality
Think Additively
Design for Orientation
Topology Optimization
Segment Parts
Add Hardware
Minimize Complication
Critical Surface Treatment
End-use/production
Source: “7 PRINCIPLES FOR DESIGN FOR ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING (DFAM)”, Simon Indrele, Fischer Unitech 2018 - Adapted from original by Empire Group 2019
14. DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS (CONT.)
Material properties (chemical, mechanical)? What is most important?
Material choice will narrow your process options.
MATERIAL EXAMPLE PROCESS CATEGORY
VAT
Photopolym
erization
Material
Jetting
Binder Jetting
Powder Bed
Fusion
Material
Extrusion
Directed
Energy
Deposition
Sheet
Lamination
Thermoset
Polymers
Epoxies &
Acrylates
X X
Thermoplast
ic Polymers
Polyamide, ABS,
PPSF
X X X X X
Metals
Steel, Titanium
Alloys, Cobalt,
Chromium
X X X X
Industrial
Ceramics
Alumina,
Zirconia, Silicone
Nitride
X X X X
Structural
Ceramics
Cement,
Foundry Sand
X X X
15. DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS (CONT.)
Post-processing – Build-lines, support-
removal, tolerances with paint/coatings,
texture, dimensional requirements after
finishing
“Tool Safe” Design – Start robust so there is
room to adjust tolerance, clearance, wall
thickness etc.
Topology Optimization - Removal of
unnecessary material leaving load paths.
Mathematically efficient design in weight and
strength.
16. DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS (CONT.)
Part Orientation - Support reduction,
critical surface specification
Trapped Powder or Resin – Create
escape holes for liquid or powder, or
honeycomb solid parts to decrease
weight
Resolution – Higher resolution files =
longer print time vs. Lower-resolution
files = faster production
17. KEY TAKEAWAYS
A digital transformation in manufacturing is in motion,
stay at the forefront of technology
Designers & Engineers need DfAM knowledge
Design has yet to catch up to technology
Best implemented when there are clear lines of
communication from concept to production
DfAM is not “one-size-fits-all”
Design without traditional constraints
Current production is limited to low-mid volume, end-use.
But not for long.
19. 360° PRODUCT
DEVELOPMENT
SUPPORT
With Empire Group, Customers Have Access to
and gain a trusted partner that provides design, development,
and manufacturing solutions that push the boundaries of
technological advancement.
20. DESIGN PROTOTYPE MANUFACTURE MARKET
Industrial Design
Engineering
Graphic Design
3D Printing
Model Making
CNC Machining
RTV Molds & Casting
Metal Fabrication
Thermoforming
Custom Finishing
Samples & Displays
Short Run Production
SERVICES FOR EVERY STAGE
OF PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT
21. OUR FACILITIES
20,000 sq. ft. Building
State-of-the-art 3D Printing Lab
CNC Machine Shop
RTV Mold & Casting Department
Model Shop
Design & Engineering Studio
Conveniently located in Attleboro, MA
and neighboring RI, CT and NY.