Combining Manufacturing Techniques
- A combination of additive, subtractive, forming, joining and finishing techniques are needed to create components and products.
- Most real-world products are not made using a single technique.
- Manufacturers use a combination of manufacturing processes to meet design requirements such as strength, appearance, cost, and material properties.
Why Combine Techniques?
- Optimise material use (e.g. use forming for strong shapes, subtractive for accuracy)
- Improve product performance
- Reduce waste and production time
- Enhance appearance and durability
Example
Modern Bicycle Frame
| Technique | Use in Bicycle Frame Production |
|---|---|
| Forming | Tubes are bent or hydroformed into shape |
| Joining | Tubes are welded or brazed together |
| Subtractive | Mounting points or holes are machined |
| Additive | Custom components (like brackets) 3D printed |
| Finishing | Powder coating or anodising to protect and colour the frame |
Key Considerations
- Material type
- Required tolerances and precision
- Production scale
- Environmental impact
- User needs (function, aesthetics, weight, etc.)
Note
Combining techniques allows manufacturers to leverage the strengths of each method while minimising their weaknesses.
Self review
- Identify a product you use daily.
- What manufacturing techniques do you think were used to create it?
- Consider the material, design, and production volume.
Analogy
- Think of combining manufacturing techniques like cooking a complex dish.
- Each ingredient (technique) plays a specific role, and together they create a final product that is greater than the sum of its parts.
