Evaluating design heuristics for additive manufacturing as an explorative workshop method

Abstract

It is suggested that the space industry is an ideal case for Additive Manufacturing (AM), with a low production volume and need for complex geometries. However, few engineers have experience of AM design. One way to support design engineers with limited experience of AM is the use of design heuristics, to enhance variety, quality and creativity of potential designs. This paper is based on literature studies and observations of creative workshops with companies from the space industry. Results showed that heuristics assisted designers and 8/10 heuristics was utilised during the ideation phase.