Additive Manufacturing as Circular Economy Enabler

Type of course:

Digital learning, Lesson

Language:

Duration:

15 minutes

Workload:

2 hours

Proficiency:

Beginner

Target:

Professionals, Workers

The Nugget explores the potential of Additive Manufacturing (AM) to promote overall sustainability and support the Circular Economy (CE). It presents the advantages and disadvantages of AM compared to more conventional manufacturing routes in terms of the environmental, economic and social dimensions of sustainability. It then discusses the potential of AM in realising CE practices, such as remanufacturing and product repair, and shows some case studies of applications related to Direct Energy Deposition processes.

Learning outcomes

To acquire knowledge on the advantages and disadvantages of AM in terms of sustainability
To understand the role of AM as an enabler of circular economy strategies
To verify the range of applicability of DED processes for repair