In current manufacturing processes, some of the main restrictions are related to the utilization of materials. Existing manufacturing procedures, such as machining, are based on material removal from the work piece to get a desired final geometry. In this sense, there are several disadvantages based on the fact that a large waste of material is produced and the consequent impact that is has in manufacturing costs. With ultimate advances in additive manufacturing, these types of limitations could be addressed. Additive manufacturing processes are based on the proper deposition of layered materials in an epitaxial way or free form configurations, as they are frequently used. In this vein, a collaborative research effort has been carried out by several research investigations under a research project called RAPOLAC (Rapid Production of Large Aerospace Components). This project is a three-year research and development projected funded by Priority 4 (Aeronautics and Space) of the EC Sixth Framework Programme (FP6). The main objective of the project is to project the shaped metal deposition (SMD) process as a technically and commercially valid technique appropriate for the production of metallic large parts based in additive manufacturing principles.
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