Environmental Benefits
RAPOLAC has quantified the environmental benefits of using SMD in production. This will allow companies to assess whether this is the right process to use for their products. For a large, hollow components, such as an engine casing, which are similar in shape to the first sample part, the benefits are significant.
The calculation includes information on wire production, forging, tooling, argon production and transportation, and finishing operations and takes into account the different energy-generation modes in each European country.
Figures for a part of the same size and shape as an engine casing are shown below.
Compared to conventional processes, there is very little waste when using SMD and emissions are lower, despite the higher emissions from the wire production.