Additively manufactured Inconel® Alloy 718

Significant contributions have been made in recent years to the development of Additive Manufacturing (AM) technology. Improvements in laser and electron beam-based AM equipment using powder injection, powder bed or wire feed systems have benefited from advances in software programs to convert complex CAD models into Digitally Manufactured parts. Wider acceptance of AM technology in, for example the aerospace ,industry, is driven by meeting stringent quality, schedule and cost requirements. These factors, in addition to the specific property requirements and level of part-family complexity, strongly influence the selection of the appropriate Additive Manufacturing process. This presentation will briefly review some of the factors and criteria that must be, addressed to transition an “AM opportunity” into a viable business case. (AU) © 2010 by The Materials, Metals, & Materials Society. All rights reserved.