IEEE Technology and Society Magazine - September 2015 - 85

to specific responses regarding thermal, electrical, bio,
and chemical properties [47].
Wolfe et al. present in their work a backplane for an
active thin film transistor (TFT) display with components
of 100 μm, using an AM technique to show the possibility of producing larger patterned areas [48]. Apart from
being able to produce electronic outputs such as microelectrodes, the production of complex microstructures
through AM also enables the production of optics such
as micro lenses [49] or micro glass chips [50].
Bartholomeusz et al. introduce an inexpensive and
quick method for microstructure fabrication [51]. Although
it is less precise than alternative fabrication methods,
applications in shadow masking, electroplating, micro
molds, and multilayered 3D channels are envisioned.
Moreover, Bartholomeusz et al. mention that it is an inexpensive method to quickly prototype microfluidic devices
or tertiary connections for higher resolution devices [51].

Electronics
In the context of AM it is possible to produce electronic
circuitry and mesoscale devices such as conductors, insulators, batteries, and antennas [47]. Bell et al. mention that
AM can fabricate power sources and batteries, though a
more nuanced explanation seems appropriate in light of
other research work concerning current possibilities [24].
Malone et al. present the ability of AM to manufacture conductive wiring and power sources such as air
zinc batteries that are shaped to the requirements of a
product, removing traditional design constraints with
respect to energy sources [52]. Perez et al. explain that
in the context of AM it is also possible to print conductive materials that would enable the production of
embedded electronics within fabricated parts [53].

Tooling

explain that the total cycle time can be drastically
reduced by eliminating special tooling and planning of
pattern manufacturing [55]. Casting materials include,
but are not limited to, a number of metal alloys such
as magnesium, aluminum, and certain steel alloys
[58].
Altan et al. distinguish three segments that uniquely
characterize the use of additive manufacturing regarding tooling: the first is called prototype tooling, which
is a die or mold that enables testing of a new design,
new material, and or a new process [56]. The second
segment is bridge tooling which refers to dies and
molds created with the purpose of enabling provisional
supply, while production tooling is being created, hence
the bridge [56]. Lastly, tooling for limited production
runs is intended to provide flexibility in terms of customization by allowing the production of relatively small
batches more effectively [56].
AM already is a competitive approach for tooling, considering that additive manufacturing investment casting
patterns used for very low-volume projects is viable compared to machining and welding [59]. Therefore there
is an opportunity for AM in answering the demand for
mass customization and smaller production runs [54].

There has been much speculation
about how AM will affect supply and
demand, and more generally the
overall economic impact it will have
upon society.

Molds and Dies
Levy et al. describe one of the uses of additive manufacturing as a means of creating tools for the reproduction of the excised tool [54]. In other words, they
suggest utilizing AM for the direct production of casting
patterns [55]. The molds and dies that are yielded in
this process are vital parts of a given production process, and their creation with AM has an effect on lead
times, quality, and costs [56]. AM plays an important
role in this process by significantly enhancing design
freedom of these dies and molds, reducing lead time,
and resulting in zero tool costs and considerable gains
in terms of production schedules [57]. The design and
manufacturing of these dies and molds are inherently
crucial and determine in large part the speed of the
process. This point is illustrated by Ingole et al., who
present a significant reduction in lead time (93%) and

september 2015

∕

Applicability is perhaps most obvious in mass production
of consumer products. However this can also transcend
to the medical industry, as explained by Chiang et al.,
who present the use of AM as a way to create (customized) molds for vacuum casted airway stents [60]. Reported benefits of adopting this technology as opposed to
the traditional production of stents, were its customization, faster response time. and relatively low costs [60].

Increased Traction for AM
It is evident from the literature that additive manufacturing is already applied in many different fields today
and that it holds great potential to revolutionize the
way objects are manufactured. The proven maturity in
certain industrial applications demonstrates that AM is
gaining increased attention and traction in businesses

IEEE TEchnology and SocIETy MagazInE

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of IEEE Technology and Society Magazine - September 2015