First, Let’s Understand
What is 3D Printing?
1) Innovation Opportunity with Flexible Design
3D printing allows for the design and printing of more complex designs than traditional production processes. Many traditional processes have restrictive design limitations and the use of 3D printing.
2) Less Space Required for 3D Printing
In many industries, many traditional production methods require that products be stored on shelves for long periods of time, requiring not only more storage space but also more expensive. However, when using 3D printing technology to make products, dedicated storage space is not required, because parts are only produced as needed; there is no need to over-produce or pay for extended storage.
3) Costs Saving with 3D Printing
3D printing technology has the potential to make production process options endless and extremely straightforward. For example, today, using what is known as the “extraction process,” if you want a part made of aluminum, a block is inserted into the CAD system and the excess material is determined to form a part. Using this process, about 60 to 70 percent of the aluminum block ends in pieces depending on the weight and condition required. The lump is later melted and used for future production needs.
In contrast, 3D printing technology is “adding,” and manufacturers are able to use the little that is needed to make a part. In the example above, using a 3D printer may eliminate the process of dissolving excessively damaged equipment and discarded resources, ultimately costing the producer’s full cost. In the general manufacturing sector, this can significantly reduce material costs and waste recycling costs.
4) Quality & accuracy of production
Traditional production methods can lead to incorrect construction and therefore low-level prototypes. Consider baking a cake, where all the ingredients are mixed and mixed together, then put in the oven to bake. If the ingredients are not mixed properly, the cake will have problems such as air bubbles or failure to bake properly. The same can happen with removal or injection methods; quality is not always guaranteed.
The 3D printing type allows for step-by-step integration of a component or product, which ensures the development of the design with high quality components/products.
4) 3D Printing Boosts Production
From its construction to its production, a cycle of partial or product development can cost companies time. However, 3D printing speeds up the process, allowing faster production cycles. For example, this technology can be used to perform rapid prototyping. This allows for a wide variety of designs to be created with this technology, which enables the company to determine the best model after testing or feedback.
This not only speeds up the time it takes for a product to reach the market but also reduces the cost of product production.
5) More innovative thinking with 3D Printing
Pete Bailliere, a Gartner analyst, says that now that printers have come down in price, companies can make a test investment without fully repatriating investment analysis.
“It has the potential to be fundamentally disruptive as it enables faster product development by prototyping, and ordering products,” Bailliere said. “In five years, we will see the great discovery of this technology. It improves the guessing process, previously pressured by cost.
