| Abstract Scope |
Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) is an established metal additive manufacturing process that enables the production of complex, high-value components. As adoption scales from prototyping to production, attention is shifting toward operational optimization. Current LPBF workflow contains a substantial volume of non-productive time embedded in pre-build preparation, inter-build transitions, material handling, inert atmosphere purging, build platform exchange, and post-process handoffs.
Single Minute Exchange of Dies (SMED), or Rapid Changeover, foundational to the Toyota Production System, provides a systematic methodology for dramatically reducing changeover and setup time. SMED implementations across conventional manufacturing consistently achieve 50–90% reductions in setup time, enabling smaller batch sizes, higher machine availability, and greater scheduling flexibility. A systematic review of literature reveals no published study that explicitly applies SMED or rapid changeover methodology to LPBF or any powder bed fusion process. Our presentation will focus on findings from our assessment of opportunities and potential solutions. |