By Emerson Krolewski
Additive manufacturing is continuously being implemented into both big and small workspaces day by day.
The idea of capital-intensive, heavy tooling is now converting to the incorporation of machinery which has the capability to create any component needed all in one, at a cheaper and more productive cost. When we hear the term “printing,” we typically refer to a scanned image on a flat surface; however, 3D printing is showing us ways in which three-dimensional objects can be replicated by the use of thin layers of material and this can all be done within a singular piece of machinery.
Tom Kelly, executive director and CEO of the digital transformation center, Automation Alley, is a firm believer that manufacturing is coming back to America and it is coming back quickly. Kelley discussed this subject matter as the keynote speaker for the Industry 4.0 workshop, “3D Printing, Advanced Robotics and Automation” on Thursday, August 17 at Velocity in Sterling Heights. The presentation was the fourth in a five-part series of I4.0 workshops hosted by the Macomb County Department of Planning and Economic Development.
The connection between artificial intelligence (AI), 3D printing and robotics is quite prevalent. During the workshop, panelist Brenda Jones, CEO of Ulendon stated: “Artificial intelligence is where we live.”
For example, when you operate a 3D printer over and over again, it is up to AI to tell you when the machine needs to be recalibrated and when the machine needs fixing. They work hand in hand with one another during the manufacturing process. When giving the printer a new task, it can’t perform without a given code. That code comes from artificial intelligence.
“It’s going to become very attractive to produce in America,” said Kelly. “ Producing through artificial intelligence, 3D printing and robotics. With those three things, you will be pretty strong.”
One can see the ways in which 3D printing has created a segue in the manufacturing industry in a multitude of ways. When we compare the McLaren Senna race car, a conventionally manufactured vehicle to the Czinger 21C, a vehicle created using AI design and additive manufacturing, the Czinger 21C set the world record for lap time at 1:25.45 with the McLaren Senna at 1:27.62. The additive manufactured vehicle was two seconds faster than the conventionally manufactured vehicle.
What additive manufacturing can do:
- Eliminate the need for tooling
- Cut down production times
- Provide a platform to make design improvements in real time
- Create mass savings
- Increase structural performance and quality
Large corporations like Bath and Body Works have implemented additive manufacturing into their daily production processes when it comes to the making of their hand soaps. What once took months to produce, has now been cut down to 21 days and the five steps of production are all being done within the same vicinity rather than traveling over 13,000 miles between China, Canada, Virginia and Ohio. This is what additive manufacturing can do for manufacturers.
3D printing, advanced robotics and automation are here and ready to be incorporated in both big and small manufacturers that we have here in America.
Tom Kelly further stated, “Americans are excellent in innovation. When you incorporate artificial intelligence, 3D printing and robotics into that innovation, we will be the boom town for the next 20 years and more. Boom times are coming and we need to be prepared.”
Emerson Krolewski is an intern for Macomb County Planning and Economic Development
