MANSYS · MANufacturing decision and supply chain management SYStem for additive manufacturing

ManSYS aims to develop and demonstrate a set of e-supply chain tools; to enable the mass adoption of Additive Manufacturing (AM). This will allow businesses to identify and determine the suitability of AM for metal products, and subsequently manage the associated supply-chain issues and ‘facilitating’ open product evolution.The proposed e-supply chain solution will combine all aspects of AM including; multiple build platforms (Laser and Electron-Beam technologies), modelling, post-processing (Machining, Finishing and Heat-Treatment) and 3D scanning techniques. This will give a ‘press-button’ solution to the production and challenges of new products. The integrated solution will offer a knowledge driven manufacturing process with significant production benefits; customisation, automation, self-management and reduced material usage and waste.The integrated approach will be assessed using a range of demonstration ‘scenarios’ to assess and highlight:• Cost-Savings: Assessment of parts (including design optimisation) against existing manufacturing methods – allowing businesses to decided if AM is an appropriate manufacturing approach.• Re-action to Customer Need: Demonstrator parts from industry (initially aerospace, and medical) validated by ManSYS end-users, including the ability to allow rapid design variations.• Robustness of Supply Network: Development of QA/QC procedures and protocols to allow operation at multiple-locations and across multiple-machines. Demonstrating the ability to handle supply-chain interruptions and improve robustness.• Environmental Assessment: Measure the embedded CO2 of the parts made, including assessment of the ability of AM to optimise part design.The ManSYS solution will be based on only commercial AM management software (‘Streamics’). We propose to develop the ManSYS concept over a period of 36 months with an overall budget of €4.5Million (€3Million EC contribution).