Production paradigms for additive manufacturing systems: A simulation-based analysis

There is nowadays a lack of knowledge and structured approaches concerning the transition of additive manufacturing systems from rapid prototyping to large scale production. The fundamental advantage of additive manufacturing to produce at virtually no additional cost complex, one-of-a-kind parts suggest addressing their integration in the direction of arranging them into the consolidated Flexible Manufacturing Systems (FMS) paradigm. In this regard, this paper presents a procedure for the simulation-based analysis of FMS hosting additive manufacturing stations, supporting their planning, design as well as performance evaluation. A discrete-event simulation model was developed and applied for the operational evaluation of an industrial case comprising 3D-printing, automated transport, and storage systems. It has been found that simulation experiments can support planning and design decision-making, allowing for a better choice among alternative set-ups. However, the present research explored an application carried out in an academic environment where the simulation model was employed for evaluating the behaviour of new additive manufacturing technologies.