بقلم: م. أنس بن محمد المهيزع
مشرف الصيانة والإنتاج, نمذجة.
Manufacturing processes are constantly evolving, pushing the boundaries of possibilities to new levels. With each new technology or material comes new opportunities for development, time reduction, and cost savings. A few years ago, 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, emerged as one of the most prominent manufacturing processes. It has provided a new dimension to manufacturing, offering limitless capabilities for innovation and development. This technology has entered all fields, and its potential remains largely unexplored due to its novelty and rapid development.
In order to benefit from this technology, we must have a comprehensive understanding of manufacturing processes and the place of 3D printing among them. Therefore, in this article, we will provide an overview of manufacturing processes, followed by detailed articles in upcoming newsletters, God willing.
Manufacturing processes are generally divided into three main categories. The first of these processes that we will discuss is known as Formative Manufacturing, which means shaping or forming materials into the desired shape of the final product by relying on heat and pressure. Several prominent production methods fall under this type of manufacturing, including:
1- Forging: In this method, metal blocks are shaped by heating them to nearly their melting point and then hammering them with heavy weights into the desired shape.
2- Casting: This involves melting raw materials and pouring them into pre-made molds to take the shape of the product, as seen in the attached image.
التصنيع التكويني – Formative Manufacturing
The second category of manufacturing processes is known as Subtractive Manufacturing. The initial stage of this process begins with a solid block of material, such as metal, wood, or plastic. Cutting and slicing tools are then used to remove parts of the solid block until the final product is achieved. This process can be used with almost all materials.
Several production methods fall under subtractive manufacturing, including CNC Milling. This involves using a computer to program the path and control the movement of the cutting tool with high precision to machine metals. The milling machine can create many complex and simple shapes, such as channels, grooves, flat surfaces, holes, and more, as seen in the attached image.
Subtractive manufacturing processes are essential in creating precise and detailed components, often serving as a foundational technique in various industries.
التصنيع بالإزالة – Subtractive manufacturing
The second category of manufacturing processes is known as Subtractive Manufacturing. The initial stage of this process begins with a solid block of material, such as metal, wood, or plastic. Cutting and slicing tools are then used to remove parts of the solid block until the final product is achieved. This process can be used with almost all materials.
Several production methods fall under subtractive manufacturing, including CNC Milling. This involves using a computer to program the path and control the movement of the cutting tool with high precision to machine metals. The milling machine can create many complex and simple shapes, such as channels, grooves, flat surfaces, holes, and more, as seen in the attached image.
التصنيع بالإضافة – Additive Manufacturing