Open Access

Stefan Junk, Samantha Côté

• A variety of different additive manufacturing processes have been available for the last three decades. Some of these technologies are very energy-intensive, e.g. laser technology and the manufacture of metal powder. In many areas, the detailed investigation of the energy and material consumption of these new manufacturing methods is still in the beginning. This paper investigates energy andA variety of different additive manufacturing processes have been available for the last three decades. Some of these technologies are very energy-intensive, e.g. laser technology and the manufacture of metal powder. In many areas, the detailed investigation of the energy and material consumption of these new manufacturing methods is still in the beginning. This paper investigates energy and material consumption using 3D colour printing (3DP) as an example. The specific energy required for the layering can be determined from this. This then forms the basis for a comparison of the specific energy consumption with other generative (e.g. Fused Layer Modelling—FLM) and also conventional production processes (e.g. milling and grinding). Thus process selection is facilitated by introducing the specific energy for layering. In addition several variables, in which resource consumption can be reduced are also investigated and compared. For example the influence of the geometry or the positioning of the 3D-printed part in the design space on the consumption are investigated. But also the measuring of different batch sizes is compared. Using the results found, the use of 3D printing can initially be optimized so that less energy, resources and manufacturing time are required.…