Title: Energy effectiveness achieved by orienting prototype of a laparoscopic instrument handle using polyjet additive manufacturing technology

Authors: M.P. Sreekanth; Rajesh Ranganathan; C. Vivek

Addresses: Department of Mechanical Engineering, Coimbatore Institute of Technology, Civil Aerodrome Post, Coimbatore, TN, 641014, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Coimbatore Institute of Technology, Civil Aerodrome Post, Coimbatore, TN, 641014, India ' Department of Mechanical Engineering, Coimbatore Institute of Technology, Civil Aerodrome Post, Coimbatore, TN, 641014, India

Abstract: Additive manufacturing (AM) technology can be considered as an answer to energy effective system as it is capable of reducing manufacturing time. In this research, an attempt is made to find the best among the 64 orientations, which gives minimum energy and material consumption using polyjet AM technology. This study provides an additional benefit to AM towards further reduction of product lead time to market. Orientations 0-0-0, 0-0-30 and 0-0-45 have been slightly higher build time comparing to 0-0-90. Imparting maximum strength to the build parts, 0-0-0 is selected as preferred orientation and build mode as high speed, which consumes 1.05 kWh of energy. This paper provides an outline for a possible way to energy-efficient manufacturing method, and it is recommended that orientations 0-0-0 and 0-0-45 can be used for auto orienting the part in any AM machines.

Keywords: additive manufacturing; polyjet; energy effectiveness; material consumption; orientation; laparoscopic instrument handle.

DOI: 10.1504/IJMTM.2018.091760

International Journal of Manufacturing Technology and Management, 2018 Vol.32 No.3, pp.255 - 269

Received: 28 Dec 2016
Accepted: 25 May 2017
Published online: 15 May 2018 *

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