Laser Additive Manufacturing in Industry 4.0

Abstract

Additive manufacturing is one of the nine technologies fuelling the fourth industrial revolution (Industry 4.0). High power lasers augmented with allied digital technologies is changing the entire manufacturing scenario through metal additive manufacturing by providing feature-based design and manufacturing with the technology called laser additive manufacturing (LAM). It enables the fabrication of customized components having complex and lightweight designs with high performance in a short period. The chapter compiles the evolution and global status of LAM technology highlighting its advantages and freedoms for various industrial applications. It discusses how LAM is contributing to Industry 4.0 for the fabrication of customized engineering and prosthetic components through case studies. It compiles research, development, and deployment scenarios of this new technology in developing economies along with the future scope of the technology.