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Latest Technological Advances and Key Trends in Powder Bed Fusion: A Patent-Based Analysis

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Advances in Production Management Systems. Production Management Systems for Responsible Manufacturing, Service, and Logistics Futures (APMS 2023)

Part of the book series: IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology ((IFIPAICT,volume 690))

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Abstract

Metal additive manufacturing has revolutionized the way we design and produce complex metallic components, enabling the creation of parts with intricate geometries and tailored material properties. Among various metal additive manufacturing techniques, metal powder bed fusion technology has emerged as a leading candidate, offering a high degree of geometric flexibility and material properties control to produce high-performance components. Assessing technology development is essential as it enables the identification of emerging trends, advancements, and innovations in the focus field. Specifically, tracing technology trajectories and pinpointing the latest advances in manufacturing technologies allows for a better understanding of the evolutionary process and regularities within the technological domain, which in turn informs policy and drives sustainable economic and social growth. This paper investigates the technological development trajectories of the powder bed fusion technology domain, employing a Genetic Knowledge Persistence-Based Main Path methodology to trace and analyse its evolutionary progress and key advancements. Results show that the recent innovations within the powder bed fusion technology domain are heavily focused on improving process monitoring and control, and materials and structure development. Key advancements demonstrate the ongoing efforts to enhance the manufacturing process's efficiency, quality, and versatility. Furthermore, innovations in heat exchangers, cooling systems, and manufacturing tooling and fixtures drive greater efficiency and flexibility in the powder bed fusion domain. This comprehensive analysis of technological development trajectories in the powder bed fusion technology domain provides valuable insights for industry stakeholders, researchers, and policymakers to support strategic decision-making and foster sustainable growth in additive manufacturing.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by Fundação para a Cíência e Tecnologia (FCT), through IDMEC, under LAETA project, UIDB/50022/2020. The authors also gratefully acknowledge the funding of Sustainable Stone by Portugal - Valorisation of Natural Stone for a digital, sustainable, and qualified future, nº 40, proposal nº C644943391–00000051, co-financed by PRR - Recovery and Resilience Plan, Portuguese Republic, and by the European Union (Next Generation EU)". This work has been also supported by the European Union under the Next Generation EU, through a grant of the Portuguese Republic's Recovery and Resilience Plan (PRR) Partnership Agreement, within the scope of the project PRODUTECH R3 – "Agenda Mobilizadora da Fileira das Tecnologias de Produção para a Reindustrialização", aiming the mobilization of the production technologies industry towards of the reindustrialization of the manufacturing industrial fabric (Project ref. nr. 60 - C645808870–00000067).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. IDMEC, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisboa, Portugal

    António Alves de Campos & Marco Leite

Authors
  1. António Alves de Campos
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  2. Marco Leite
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Correspondence to António Alves de Campos .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway

    Erlend Alfnes

  2. Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway

    Anita Romsdal

  3. Norwegian University of Science and Technology, Trondheim, Norway

    Jan Ola Strandhagen

  4. ZF Friedrichshafen AG, Friedrichshafen, Germany

    Gregor von Cieminski

  5. Tecnológico de Monterrey, Mexico City, Mexico

    David Romero

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Alves de Campos, A., Leite, M. (2023). Latest Technological Advances and Key Trends in Powder Bed Fusion: A Patent-Based Analysis. In: Alfnes, E., Romsdal, A., Strandhagen, J.O., von Cieminski, G., Romero, D. (eds) Advances in Production Management Systems. Production Management Systems for Responsible Manufacturing, Service, and Logistics Futures. APMS 2023. IFIP Advances in Information and Communication Technology, vol 690. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-43666-6_39

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-43666-6_39

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-031-43665-9

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-031-43666-6

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