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Additive Manufacturing: Impact, Prospects, and Challenges in Sustainable Engineering

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Sustainable Engineering

Part of the book series: Green Energy and Technology ((GREEN))

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Abstract

The advent of modern manufacturing technology and the increased consumer demand for custom goods and services are causing a paradigm shift from traditional manufacturing to additive manufacturing (AM) processes. Because additive manufacturing is a relatively new technology, its consequence on sustainable engineering is still a very gray area. This chapter draws on modern-day research and data to provide insights into additive manufacturing and its role in fostering sustainable engineering. It introduces additive manufacturing, its technologies, and its respective benefits, which include the reduction in weight, material, waste, and carbon footprint, coupled with the ease of redesigning, remanufacturing, and the use of renewable and biodegradable green materials. The applications of additive manufacturing in various fields are also discussed, aiming at highlighting how the product design, systems, and operations of additive manufacturing processes promote sustainable engineering practices and impact economic, social, and environmental aspects. This chapter also gives an insight into the future prospects of additive manufacturing processes toward improving sustainable engineering. Lastly, the challenges of additive manufacturing technology toward sustainability have been enumerated with a specific recommendation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Mechanical Engineering Science, University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg, South Africa

    Cynthia Samuel Abima & Nkosinathi Madushele

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  1. Cynthia Samuel Abima
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  2. Nkosinathi Madushele
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Correspondence to Cynthia Samuel Abima .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Mount Royal University, Calgary, AB, Canada

    Israel Sunday Dunmade

  2. Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa

    Michael Olawale Daramola

  3. Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Built Environment and Information Technology, University of Pretoria, Pretoria, South Africa

    Samuel Ayodele Iwarere

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Abima, C.S., Madushele, N. (2024). Additive Manufacturing: Impact, Prospects, and Challenges in Sustainable Engineering. In: Dunmade, I.S., Daramola, M.O., Iwarere, S.A. (eds) Sustainable Engineering. Green Energy and Technology. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-47215-2_13

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-47215-2_13

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