Investigation of Energy Requirements and Environmental Performance for Additive Manufacturing Processes

Zhichao Liu, Qiuhong Jiang, Fuda Ning, Hoyeol Kim, Weilong Cong, Changxue Xu and Hong-chao Zhang
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Zhichao Liu: Department of Industrial, Manufacturing and Systems Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
Qiuhong Jiang: School of Mechanical Engineering, Dalian University of Technology, Dalian 116023, China
Fuda Ning: Department of Systems Science and Industrial Engineering, State University of New York at Binghamton, Binghamton, NY 13902, USA
Hoyeol Kim: Department of Industrial, Manufacturing and Systems Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
Weilong Cong: Department of Industrial, Manufacturing and Systems Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
Changxue Xu: Department of Industrial, Manufacturing and Systems Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA
Hong-chao Zhang: Department of Industrial, Manufacturing and Systems Engineering, Texas Tech University, Lubbock, TX 79409, USA

Sustainability, 2018, vol. 10, issue 10, 1-15

Abstract: This paper explores the specific energy consumption (SEC) and environmental impacts for typical additive manufacturing processes. Also, the paper examines the possibility that ensure the product quality while reducing energy consumption with experimental analysis. The results show that (1) the SEC of additive manufacturing processes is related not only to material characteristics but also to the process input parameters; (2) it is possible to increase the energy efficiency without reducing product quality by adjusting the process rate or selecting different materials; and (3) the global warming potential ( GWP ) result of AM processes indicates that the GWP is brought about principally by the energy production process. The information provided by this project can also be of benefit to life cycle assessment and other environmental impact assessment related to AM processes.

Keywords: energy consumption; environmental performance; additive manufacturing processes (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2018
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (4)

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Persistent link: https://EconPapers.repec.org/RePEc:gam:jsusta:v:10:y:2018:i:10:p:3606-:d:174581

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