Economic and Environmental Potential of Wire-Arc Additive Manufacturing

Manuel Dias, João P. M. Pragana, Bruna Ferreira, Inês Ribeiro and Carlos M. A. Silva
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Manuel Dias: IDMEC, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
João P. M. Pragana: IDMEC, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
Bruna Ferreira: IDMEC, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
Inês Ribeiro: IDMEC, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal
Carlos M. A. Silva: IDMEC, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Av. Rovisco Pais, 1049-001 Lisboa, Portugal

Sustainability, 2022, vol. 14, issue 9, 1-19

Abstract: Since its creation, Additive Manufacturing (AM) has experienced a tremendous growth particularly over the last decade due to the industrial paradigm shift intended for improving conventional manufacturing procedures. This work is focused on an emerging AM process known as Wire-Arc Additive Manufacturing ( WAAM ) to assess its potential for further applications involving metallic costumer-oriented parts. Contrary to most AM processes, WAAM allows deposition of material layer-by-layer to be accomplished under high deposition rates, low production times and near 100% material efficiency using accessible equipment. The work stems from evaluating the economic viability in the production of parts by WAAM as an alternative for conventional processes such as those used in traditional subtractive approaches. For that purpose, a process-based cost model (PBCM) was developed for estimating production costs using a strong technological approach. The PBCM was tested with the production of a case study part by WAAM and its environmental impact was further assessed through life cycle assessment (LCA). Results show that WAAM can be economically and environmentally viable within specific industrial contexts. Moreover, further developments and optimizations of process variables and equipment will allow this technology to mature into tackling novel production challenges in a time and cost-effective manner.

Keywords: wire-arc additive manufacturing; process-based cost model; life cycle assessment; case study (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: O13 Q Q0 Q2 Q3 Q5 Q56 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
References: View references in EconPapers View complete reference list from CitEc
Citations: View citations in EconPapers (1)

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