Comprehensive review of additive manufacturing lifecycle optimization in a cloud environment: from distributed manufacturing to postprocessing

Purpose This paper aims to offer a comprehensive review and categorization of production optimization throughout the additive manufacturing lifecycle in a cloud environment. It aims to provide a structured approach to identifying and addressing issues. Design/methodology/approach This paper systematically reviews 75 technical papers on cloud manufacturing, nesting, scheduling and postprocessing in additive manufacturing. This includes a detailed discussion of the key issues. Findings This paper introduces a production framework for the entire lifecycle of additive manufacturing in a cloud environment. This framework aids in problem identification and decision-making based on the process flow. It provides an integrated view from cloud to postprocessing, examining decision interdependencies and enhancing problem identification and organization. Originality/value To the best of the authors’ knowledge, this paper is the first to review the complete lifecycle of additive manufacturing, emphasizing the often-overlooked aspects of postprocessing and cloud manufacturing. It offers a comprehensive study of lifecycle optimization challenges and suggests ways to streamline the production process.