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46 pages, 15485 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Comprehensive Review of Laser Powder Bed Fusion in Jewelry: Technologies, Materials, and Post-Processing with Future Perspective

by Geethapriyan Thangamani, Stefano Felicioni, Elisa Padovano, Sara Biamino, Mariangela Lombardi, Daniele Ugues, Paolo Fino and Federica Bondioli

Metals 2024, 14(8), 897; https://doi.org/10.3390/met14080897 - 6 Aug 2024

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 4091

Abstract

In recent years, additive manufacturing (AM) has played a significant role in various fashion industries, especially the textile and jewelry manufacturing sectors. This review article delves deeply into the wide range of methods and materials used to make intricately designed jewelry fabrication using [...] Read more.

In recent years, additive manufacturing (AM) has played a significant role in various fashion industries, especially the textile and jewelry manufacturing sectors. This review article delves deeply into the wide range of methods and materials used to make intricately designed jewelry fabrication using the additive manufacturing (AM) process. The Laser Powder Bed Fusion (L-PBF) process is examined for its suitability in achieving complex design and structural integrity in jewelry fabrication even with respect to powder metallurgy methods. Moreover, the review explores the use of precious materials, such as gold, silver, copper, platinum, and their alloys in additive manufacturing. Processing precious materials is challenging due to their high reflectivity and thermal conductivity, which results in poor densification and mechanical properties. To address this issue, the review article proposes three different strategies: (i) adding alloying elements, (ii) coating powder particles, and (iii) using low-wavelength lasers (green or blue). Finally, this review examines crucial post-processing techniques to improve surface quality, robustness, and attractiveness. To conclude, this review emphasizes the potential of combining additive manufacturing (AM) with traditional craftsmanship for creating jewelry, exploring the potential future directions and developments in the field of additive manufacturing (AM) for jewelry fabrication. Full article

(This article belongs to the Section Additive Manufacturing)

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14 pages, 259 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Family Businesses Overcoming the COVID-19 Crisis with Innovation: An Exploratory Analysis of the Jewelry Retail Sector in Spain

by Mariano Soler-Porta and Beatriz Rodríguez Díaz

Sustainability 2024, 16(6), 2259; https://doi.org/10.3390/su16062259 - 8 Mar 2024

Viewed by 1591

Abstract

Innovation is a trending topic in many disciplines but has a particular focus when it is studied in family businesses (FBs) due to their unique behavior in decision-making. Moreover, there is a gap in research on how these family businesses overcome economic crises [...] Read more.

Innovation is a trending topic in many disciplines but has a particular focus when it is studied in family businesses (FBs) due to their unique behavior in decision-making. Moreover, there is a gap in research on how these family businesses overcome economic crises by applying innovation. The main purpose of this paper is to provide empirical insight regarding this gap in an understudied sector, such as the Jewelry retail sector. This research was conducted in five cases, taken as examples of what these companies did, in terms of innovation, to overcome the COVID-19 crisis situation. This was considered sufficient, given the homogeneous structure of the sector and the exploratory nature of the research. The results revealed that different strategies caused them to obtain different results and clearly showed that FBs that used innovation during the crisis had better financial results. This paper contributes to the understanding of how FBs overcome economic crises by applying innovation. The implications for this type of business are also included. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue SMEs and EU Regional Development)

28 pages, 7950 KiB

Open AccessReview

A Review of the Metal Additive Manufacturing Processes

by Mohaddeseh Tebianian, Sara Aghaie, Nazanin Sadat Razavi Jafari, Seyed Reza Elmi Hosseini, António B. Pereira, Fábio A. O. Fernandes, Mojtaba Farbakhti, Chao Chen and Yuanming Huo

Materials 2023, 16(24), 7514; https://doi.org/10.3390/ma16247514 - 5 Dec 2023

Cited by 32 | Viewed by 5792

Abstract

Metal additive manufacturing (AM) is a layer-by-layer process that makes the direct manufacturing of various industrial parts possible. This method facilitates the design and fabrication of complex industrial, advanced, and fine parts that are used in different industry sectors, such as aerospace, medicine, [...] Read more.

Metal additive manufacturing (AM) is a layer-by-layer process that makes the direct manufacturing of various industrial parts possible. This method facilitates the design and fabrication of complex industrial, advanced, and fine parts that are used in different industry sectors, such as aerospace, medicine, turbines, and jewelry, where the utilization of other fabrication techniques is difficult or impossible. This method is advantageous in terms of dimensional accuracy and fabrication speed. However, the parts fabricated by this method may suffer from faults such as anisotropy, micro-porosity, and defective joints. Metals like titanium, aluminum, stainless steels, superalloys, etc., have been used—in the form of powder or wire—as feed materials in the additive manufacturing of various parts. The main criterion that distinguishes different additive manufacturing processes from each other is the deposition method. With regard to this criterion, AM processes can be divided into four classes: local melting, sintering, sheet forming, and electrochemical methods. Parameters affecting the properties of the additive-manufactured part and the defects associated with an AM process determine the method by which a certain part should be manufactured. This study is a survey of different additive manufacturing processes, their mechanisms, capabilities, shortcomings, and the general properties of the parts manufactured by them. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Preparation and Applications of Metal and Alloy Powders)

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39 pages, 2199 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Evolution of Corporate Innovation in the O2O Model—Case Studies in the Chinese Jewelry Retail Sector

by Minghong Shi, Chao Zhang and Chun-Liang Chen

Sustainability 2023, 15(17), 13017; https://doi.org/10.3390/su151713017 - 29 Aug 2023

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 4670

Abstract

The latest craze of new retailing has required the traditional jewelry industry to cope with it head-on. The aims of this article are to discover how the jewelry retail companies can innovate and evolve in the current wave of new retailing and understand [...] Read more.

The latest craze of new retailing has required the traditional jewelry industry to cope with it head-on. The aims of this article are to discover how the jewelry retail companies can innovate and evolve in the current wave of new retailing and understand how they use relevant technologies in their omni-channel operations. The selected methodology is a qualitative explanatory multi-case study. Four types of enterprises of the jewelry retail sector were selected. We find that there are four corporate innovation types in the jewelry retail sector, including: price-driven, service-driven, technology-driven, and demand-driven models. Case enterprises have established their own innovation approaches with regard to the adoption of omni-channel technology. This study advocated that different types of enterprise have different channel resources and assets, so they should set up customized omni-channel strategies in accordance with the advantages of their resources and the needs of target customers. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Digitalization and Innovative Business Strategy)

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13 pages, 2317 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Global Warming Potential and Waste Handling of Pearl Farming in Ago Bay, Mie Prefecture, Japan

by Dheanara Pinka and Kazuyo Matsubae

Resources 2023, 12(7), 75; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources12070075 - 27 Jun 2023

Cited by 1 | Viewed by 5467

Abstract

Pearl farming (PF) represents a significant portion of the world’s total aquaculture production and is a growing multibillion-dollar sector of mollusk aquaculture. However, PF in Mie Prefecture, Japan, has resulted in the deterioration of environmental conditions in Ago Bay, and its environmental impacts [...] Read more.

Pearl farming (PF) represents a significant portion of the world’s total aquaculture production and is a growing multibillion-dollar sector of mollusk aquaculture. However, PF in Mie Prefecture, Japan, has resulted in the deterioration of environmental conditions in Ago Bay, and its environmental impacts are yet to be evaluated using a life-cycle assessment (LCA). Thus, in this study, a cradle-to-gate LCA using 1 kg of pearl produced in Ago Bay was conducted. The key results showed that the global warming potential (GWP) was equivalent to 4.98 kg CO₂, which is lower than the GWPs of metals, such as gold and silver, commonly used in jewelry production. Meanwhile, the waste handling of PF is progressing, with current efforts being focused on extracting calcium carbonate, exporting shell waste, and reducing plastic waste. These findings provide critical insights for achieving sustainable pearl production aquaculture. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Women's Special Issue Series: Sustainable Resource Management)

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2 pages, 139 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Additive Manufacturing (AM) of Metallic Alloys

by Flaviana Calignano

Crystals 2020, 10(8), 704; https://doi.org/10.3390/cryst10080704 - 15 Aug 2020

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2280

Abstract

The introduction of metal additive manufacturing (AM) processes in industrial sectors, such as the aerospace, automotive, defense, jewelry, medical and tool-making fields, has led to a significant reduction in waste material and in the lead times of the components, innovative designs with higher [...] Read more.

The introduction of metal additive manufacturing (AM) processes in industrial sectors, such as the aerospace, automotive, defense, jewelry, medical and tool-making fields, has led to a significant reduction in waste material and in the lead times of the components, innovative designs with higher strength, lower weight and fewer potential failure points from joining features [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Additive Manufacturing (AM) of Metallic Alloys)

13 pages, 1207 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Analyzing Platinum and Palladium Consumption and Demand Forecast in Japan

by Yuna Seo and Shinichirou Morimoto

Resources 2017, 6(4), 61; https://doi.org/10.3390/resources6040061 - 25 Oct 2017

Cited by 18 | Viewed by 11180

Abstract

Platinum and palladium are used in small but essential quantities in a variety of advanced industrial sectors. Platinum and palladium are used as catalysts in various industrial sectors, especially in the car industry. However, their sources are typically concentrated in South Africa and [...] Read more.

Platinum and palladium are used in small but essential quantities in a variety of advanced industrial sectors. Platinum and palladium are used as catalysts in various industrial sectors, especially in the car industry. However, their sources are typically concentrated in South Africa and Russia, and there are concerns about supply security. In terms of resource security, it is important to verify domestic platinum and palladium consumption trends and future demand. In order to understand the domestic platinum and palladium consumption trends in Japan, we tracked the historical platinum and palladium consumption structures from 2001 to 2013, applying a bottom-up approach, and illustrated recent domestic platinum and palladium flow by using a substance flow analysis. The results showed that catalytic converters (9.1–12.8 t) and jewelry (5.3–15.5 t) for platinum, and catalytic converters (14.2–20.0 t) and dental use (9.5–16.4 t) for palladium, have marked the biggest consumption sectors during 2001–2013, where the total consumption of platinum and palladium have fluctuated by 18.4–31.6 t for platinum and from 33.0–46.3 t for palladium. We also forecasted the demand for each end-use of both up to the year 2025 using multiple regression analysis. Our results suggest that platinum demand could decrease from 18.9 t in 2013 to 11.9 t in 2025 and palladium demand could slightly decrease from 33.0 t in 2013 to 13.8 t in 2025. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Urban Mining for Resource Supply)

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8 pages, 653 KiB

Open AccessArticle

The Extent, Nature and Environmental Health Implications of Cottage Industries in Johannesburg, South Africa

by June Teare, Tahira Kootbodien, Nisha Naicker and Angela Mathee

Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2015, 12(2), 1894-1901; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph120201894 - 5 Feb 2015

Cited by 24 | Viewed by 7073

Abstract

Cottage industries comprise a sub-group of informal sector income generation activities which are conducted in the home environment and organized around families or households. Cottage industry workers may be at risk of exposure to harmful substances associated with their work, and given the [...] Read more.

Cottage industries comprise a sub-group of informal sector income generation activities which are conducted in the home environment and organized around families or households. Cottage industry workers may be at risk of exposure to harmful substances associated with their work, and given the lack of separation of cottage industry activities from living spaces, their families and neighbors may similarly be at risk of exposure. This study was undertaken to determine the extent and nature of cottage industries in five neighborhoods in Johannesburg (South Africa) A cross-sectional survey was conducted across five communities in Johannesburg in 2012. Data on metal-related cottage industry activities were collected through the administration of a pre-structured questionnaire. Metal-related cottage industry activities were defined as car repairs, spray painting, scrap metal recycling, electrical appliance repairs, welding, hairdressing and metal jewelry making. One fifth of the households interviewed were operating one or more cottage industries associated with the use of toxic substances. Therefore, the potential exists for associated ill health effects in a considerable proportion of the population. Further research is needed to fully assess exposure to the harmful aspects of cottage industry, as are scaled up campaigns to increase awareness of the risks and correct handling of toxic substances. Full article

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