Sustainability perspectives – a review of additive and subtractive manufacturing

Abstract

The manufacturing industry contributes to the rapid development of world economy but generates substantial adverse impacts on the environment and society. This research paper explores the tools and methods used to evaluate the sustainability of additive and subtractive manufacturing. A systematic literature review has been conducted to carefully assess literature on part choice, material choice, technical assessment, environmental assessment, economic assessment, social implications, integrations, and sustainability performance comparisons. The study highlights that whilst sustainability performance of additive and subtractive manufactured parts and systems has been assessed, integration of technical feasibility to improve sustainability performance has not been adequately explored. The study concludes that technical feasibility integrated sustainability assessments of additive and subtractive manufactured parts should be followed to bridge the gap between technical and sustainability performance. Further, this review explores challenges to integrate technical and sustainability performance and to improve the overall sustainability aspects of additive and subtractive manufactured parts.