Asymmetric rolling is an attractive metal forming process due to its simplicity, low cost and capability to produce unique characteristics in materials. The asymmetry promoted by the process leads to a formation of a large collection of texture components and a refined structure which is capable to improve the mechanical behavior of metallic materials. The aim of this work is to present a perspective of the process and to construct the bases for future development and application of this technique. Thus, several aspects are addressed such as process methods (i.e., dissimilarity of the rolls diameters, rolls angular speed or friction conditions), the process parameters (i.e., total thickness reduction, thickness reduction per pass, peripheral speed ratio, rolling routes) and their effect on material properties, including texture and microstructure evolution, and mechanical properties. This review is focused on the experimental description of asymmetric rolling applied to aluminum alloys and steels. Although the asymmetric rolling application was mostly at a laboratory scale, there is a good perspective for its implementation in the industry. The pros and cons based on the up to date literature and authors’ experience are presented and discussed.

Additive manufacturing technologies have evolved from prototype to part production. Coupling this shift with organizational transformations evolved rapid prototyping industry into Direct Digital Manufacturing (DDM) industry. Any evolution in production systems is now, more than ever before, dependent on sustainability principles. The development of the DDM industry must be guided by these principles, taking the chance it offers to change the production paradigm. Circular Economy (CE) is a shift in the production and resource management model, and one of the ways to work towards sustainability. Coupling DDM with CE principles is thus contributing to change industrial production to a more sustainable one. This paper intends to relate DDM technologies with CE principles, to identify aspects where DDM is contributing to CE, as well as aspects that should be explored further for that purpose. It is observed that DDM can enable optimization of material and energy usage, modify logistics towards de-localized production and recycling and enable prolonged lifespan of products through better access to spare parts, for instance. It is also observed that DDM has good potential to shift materials usage towards natural materials, especially in a context of consumer or local community production, but not so much within the current industrial context. Education is shown to play a pivotal role, since incorporating circular economy principles in educational contexts should spark a shift in consumer perspectives, modifying demand and hence, industrial production.