Data model for additive manufacturing digital thread: state of the art and perspectives

Additive Manufacturing (AM) is currently seen as an interesting process for the fabrication of complex and high value-added functional products. AM is being increasingly used in manufacturing bringing forward technological advancements particularly in materials and process optimisations. Simultaneously, the lifecycle of manufactured products is increasingly based on an ‘all-digital’ context using cyber-physical systems, the Internet of Things and Industry 4.0 devices. This has led to huge amounts of digital data being generated in manufacturing projects development. Data management is one of the key issues for diffusing and adopting this technology. However, the commonly used digital thread for AM is based on old solutions, such as STL and G-code, which were developed during the 1980s and are not well synchronised with current advanced developments in AM. Moreover, digital thread needs to be contextualised according to the complexities of the sector in which it is being used. Hence, alternative formats should also take into account global and sectorial application. This paper presents the past and current research for a state-of-the-art data model digital thread, as well as perspectives and recommendations for a performing data model thread adapted to the different needs of the AM community.