Browsing by Author "Li, Wenqi"

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    Additive manufacturing in pharmaceutical supply chain
    (Logistics Research Network and CILT, 2023-09-08) Li, Wenqi; Ekren, Banu Y.; Aktas, Emel
    Purpose: A resilient and efficient pharmaceutical supply chain (PSC) ensures access to essential medicines during pandemics and other emergencies. The COVID-19 pandemic has highlighted the need for continued investment and innovation in this area, and concerted efforts by all stakeholders are necessary to achieve this goal. Additive manufacturing (AM), or 3D printing, can enhance PSC resilience and performance, reduce waste, and improve environmental sustainability. 3D printing can help address drug shortages, patient-specific dosages, and personalised medicine in the pharmaceutical industry. Moreover, 3D printing technology enables local production of drugs and medical devices, reducing transportation costs, carbon footprint, and lead times, transforming how products are designed, produced, and delivered to end-users. This study aims to investigate the multifaceted benefits of 3D printing technology on the PSC, including its potential to streamline processes, increase SC efficiency, enhance responsiveness, and improve sustainability. Additionally, the study seeks to identify the interrelationships between these benefits and how they can contribute to the overall success of the PSC. Research Approach: To achieve this, we comprehensively analyse the potential benefits and shortcomings of 3D printing technology on the PSC by compiling relevant literature and internet sources. Findings and Originality: The study identifies ways in which 3D printing can positively impact the PSC, including simplifying the supply chain (SC) process, localising production, and transitioning from make-to-stock to make-to-order production. These changes can significantly impact inventory levels, increasing SC sustainability, efficiency, responsiveness, and resilience. However, this study also identifies unique shortcomings and future research opportunities associated with implementing 3D printing in the PSC, providing a holistic view of the technology's potential impact. Research Impact: The research highlights the potential of 3D printing to revolutionise the PSC by enabling a more streamlined and sustainable manufacturing process. Practical Impact: The study's findings offer the pharmaceutical industry insights on how to tackle SC shortcomings such as supplier shortages, fluctuating demand, and short response times. As a result, this study offers a valuable resource for both practitioners and researchers who wish to leverage 3D printing technology to enhance the PSC's performance and understand the technology's impact on the PSC.
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    Spatially resolved acoustic spectroscopy for integrity assessment in wire-arc additive manufacturing
    (Elsevier, 2019-05-15) Dryburgh, Paul; Pieris, Don; Martina, Filomeno; Patel, Rikesh; Sharples, Steve; Li, Wenqi; Clare, Adam T.; Williams, Stewart W.; Smith, Richard J.
    Wire–arc additive manufacturing (WAAM) is an emergent method for the production and repair of high value components. Introduction of plastic strain by inter-pass rolling has been shown to produce grain refinement and improve mechanical properties, however suitable quality control techniques are required to demonstrate the refinement non-destructively. This work proposes a method for rapid microstructural assessment of Ti–6Al–4V, with limited intervention, by measuring an acoustic wave generated on the surface of the specimens. Specifically, undeformed and rolled specimens have been analysed by spatially resolved acoustic spectroscopy (SRAS), allowing the efficacy of the rolling process to be observed in velocity maps. The work has three primary outcomes (i) differentiation of texture due to rolling force, (ii) understanding the acoustic wave velocity response in the textured material including the underlying crystallography, (iii) extraction of an additional build metric such as layer height from acoustic maps and further useful material information such as minimum stiffness direction. Variations in acoustic response due to grain refinement and crystallographic orientation have been explored. It has been found that the limited α-variants which develop within prior-β grains lead to distinctive acoustic slowness surfaces. This allowed prior-β grains to be resolved. A basic algorithm has been proposed for the automated measurement, which could be used for in-line closed loop control. The practicality and challenges of applying this approach in-line with fabrication are also discussed.