Evaluation System for Additive Manufacturing (ESAM)

Description

Today, when a new component has to be manufactured, the choice of the supply and production value chain is mainly led by a techno-economic evaluation, and the "sustainability" of the solution is not considered. Given different efficiencies of the manufacturing processes, in terms of resources consumption, it is not always clear which manufacturing method stands out from a sustainability perspective.

Moreover, other factors have a relevant impact on resources consumption, as part design, its use-field, component expected life, material and supply chain aspects, and others. To assess the described problem, a tool capable to assess not only techno-economic aspects, but also the sustainability is needed.

Such a tool, in a form of a software solution, will take inputs as energy, time and cost along the full value and supply chain and it will solve the central question on which design and production method is the best choice.