An overview of selective laser sintering and melting research using bibliometric indicators

ABSTRACT

The aim of this paper is to present an overview of published research in selective laser sintering/melting (SLS/M), by using bibliometric indicators. Bibliometrics is the quantitative statistical analysis of written publications, such as articles or books. It is useful for displaying and classifying information according to selected variables, such as authors, journals, citations, countries, and institutions. This type of review provides a clear picture of research in a targeted area, such as the most cited research, author with most publications, journal with most published papers, and universities and countries producing the largest amount of research in the target area. The Web of Science database was used to collect data on the topic of interest. The results reveal that the Rapid Prototyping journal is the most productive journal in this field, where the Huazhong University Science Technology is the most effective institution. Also China is the most productive country, whereas USA is the most influential country.

KEYWORDS:

• Selective laser sintering
• selective laser melting
• bibliometric
• additive manufacturing
• web of science

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author.

Notes on contributors

Wadea Ameen is a Researcher and PhD Student in Industrial Engineering Department, College of Engineering, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia. He received his M.S (Manufacturing Systems Engineering) in 2014 from King Saud University. His research interests are in additive manufacturing; CAD /CAM and product, design analysis and design of manufacturing systems; optimization of manufacturing processes.

Atef M. Ghaleb is a Researcher and PhD Student in Industrial Engineering Department, College of Engineering, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia. His area of expertise is Human Factors. He received the M.S in Industrial Engineering from King Saud University, Saudi Arabia , He received the BSc in Industrial Engineering from University of Taiz, Taiz, Yemen.

Moath Alatefi is a Master Student in Industrial Engineering Department, College of Engineering, King Saud University, Saudi Arabia. His area of expertise is Industrial systems. He received the BSc in Industrial Engineering from University of Taiz, Taiz, Yemen.

Hisham Alkhalefah is a supervisor of advanced manufacturing institute at King Saud University. He received his PhD (Manufacturing Systems Engineering) from King Saud University. His research interests are in analysis and design of manufacturing systems, additive manufacturing.

Abdulrahman M. Al-Ahmari is approfessor in industrial engineering department at King Saud University He was the Dean of Advanced Manufacturing Institute(2012-2017), Executive Director of Center of Excellence for Research in Engineering Materials(2008-2012), Supervisor of Princess Fatimah Alnijris’s Research Chair for Advanced Manufacturing Technology, and Supervisor of CMTT (Center of Manufacturing Technology Transfer). Also he was Chairman of Industrial Engineering Department at King Saud University (2004-2008). He received his PhD (Manufacturing Systems Engineering) in 1998 from University of Sheffield, UK. His research interests are in analysis and design of manufacturing systems; computer integrated manufacturing; optimization of manufacturing operations; applications of simulation optimization; FMS and cellular manufacturing systems.