3D Printing: The Future of Manufacturing
3D printing is the construction of a three-dimensional object from a CAD model or a digital 3D model. The process begins with a 3D model rendered in a printable file, in which specialized software renders the object in hundreds or thousands of printable layers. The 3D printer prints each layer one by one until the object is completely created.
There are many advantages of using 3d printing and so many companies that are adopting 3d printing. These advantages are:
- COST as Lower production costs translate into lower consumer costs, which can benefit your market share. If the product is customizable, you can tailor services to existing customers and explore new market opportunities.
- SPEED as it is faster and. this rapid prototyping process is now efficient enough to be cost-effective for other industries. Adoption shortens design iterations, which ultimately saves money.
- FLEXIBILITY as the greater availability of materials is accelerating the growth of 3D printing in part manufacturing from less than 30 percent to an estimated 85 percent in the next few years. AM technology began to use metal, expanding applications for aftermarket and specialty parts. As the metal printing process improves and the price drops, more manufacturers can use it for mass production.
3D printing reduces waste and gives you more choice before using materials. This process uses less material than traditional methods because it layers thin cross-sections of the object instead of starting with a large piece of resin or plastic and scaling it down. Cost savings mean you can use higher quality but more expensive materials.
Many manufacturers have already begun to explore the market to see what potential there may be. 3D printing could also change the economics of metal printing with a new technique called bonded metal deposition. The technique can build objects at a rate of 500 cubic inches per hour, compared to one to two cubic inches per hour using a typical metal laser printer.
The full implications of 3D printing in the manufacturing industry are difficult to predict. But based on what has already happened in the industry and what analysts expect in the coming years, it seems safe to say that we have yet to see the full use of 3D printing.
Contrary to early hype, 3D printing will not soon dominate the manufacturing world. Instead it will continue to integrate with existing processes and expand its footprint. Each manufacturer has their own roadmap to reap the benefits as 3D printing matures. It is generally accepted that 3D printing will be a revolutionary force in manufacturing, whether positive or negative. Despite concerns over counterfeiting, many companies are already using the technology to repeatably produce intricate components, for example in automotive and aerospace manufacturing.
While 3D printing may not yet take over the entire manufacturing industry, analysts predict that there will be a lot of growth and the market will be worth $32.78 billion by 2023. Analysts predict that the 3D printing industry will be worth $32.7 billion by 2023.
This article was written by Talha Arif — Writer at RAC’23.
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