Browsing by Author "Lehtonen, Juha-Matti"
Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
Results Per Page
Sort Options
- Integrating additive manufacturing to military maintenancePublication . Rautio, Samu; Valtonen, Ilari; Lehtonen, Juha-MattiThe aim of this study is to investigate what kind of conceptual model should form the core for simulation model studying Additive Manufacturing (AM) in the military logistics supply chain. The focus of the study is on the Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) vehicles spare parts in the mechanized battalion. In the study, the conceptual model of the key functions of a mechanized battalion's two-level maintenance system with AM support was modeled. Polymeric printing was employed for field- and depot-level maintenance, and metal printing was utilized for depot-level maintenance. We found that the conceptual model is an important phase in the simulation when designing a system where the number of 3D printers at two maintenance levels supports military logistics. We found that system dynamics depend on the intensity of battles (spare part demand), maintenance concept, and the size of the parts to be 3D-printed. It is also clear that the original material of spare parts affects the ability of AM to support the maintenance system, which may change the inventory planning.