BENEFITS OF 3D PRINTING TECHNOLOGY

 

SPEED

Rapid prototyping is one of the main benefits of 3D printing technology. The capacity to design, produce, and test a customised part quickly is known as rapid prototyping. Additionally, if necessary, the design can be changed without impairing how quickly something is made. Before the 3D printing business took off, it would take weeks to produce a prototype. The procedure took an additional few weeks each time a change was made. When shipping schedules are taken into account, the entire product development process might easily take a year. Using 3D printing methods, a company may design a product, produce it internally on a 3D printer, and test it all in a matter of days.

COST

The most economical manufacturing method is 3D printing for small production runs and applications. A lot of expensive machines are needed for traditional prototyping techniques like CNC machining and injection moulding, and their higher labour costs are a result of the need for skilled operators and technicians to operate the machines.

This is in contrast to the 3D printing process, where (depending on the system) just 1 or 2 machines and fewer operators are required to make a part. Because the part is constructed from the ground up rather than being cut out of a solid block as in subtractive manufacturing, there is far less waste material and it typically does not require additional tooling.

SUITABILITY

A significant benefit of 3D printing is that any printer can produce practically anything as long as it fits inside its build volume. With conventional manufacturing techniques, each new part or modification to an existing part design necessitates the production of a new tool, mould, die, or jig.

In 3D printing, the design is input into slicer software, any supports that are required are added, and the print is then completed with little to no changes to the actual hardware or tools. Geometries that are hard for traditional technologies to construct, either as a single part or at all, can be designed and manufactured using 3D printing. Geometries of this type contain pieces inside other parts and hollow voids inside solid objects.

 CONCURRENT ADVANTAGE

Product life cycles are shortened by 3D printing's speed and cheaper prices. Businesses have the ability to develop and improve a product, enabling them to provide better products in less time. By enabling a physical demonstration of a new product to customers and investors rather than relying solely on their imaginations, 3D printing lowers the likelihood that information will be lost or misconstrued during communication.

Additionally, it enables risk-free market testing at a minimal cost, collecting input from prospective buyers and investors on a physical product without having to incur significant up-front costs for prototyping.

 PRODUCT DURABILITY

Traditional production techniques might lead to subpar designs and subpar prototypes. Imagine making a cake, where the various components are joined, mixed, and then baked in the oven. If this were to occur, the cake would have issues like air bubbles or might not bake all the way through. With subtractive or injection processes, the same thing can happen; quality is not always guaranteed.

Due to the nature of 3D printing, it is possible to assemble a component or product piece by piece, which ensures that the design will be improved and the part or product will be of higher quality.

PRODUCT TESTING AND TANGIBLE DESIGN

As was previously said under competitive advantages, holding and feeling a prototype in person is incomparable to viewing a product on a screen. Testing a physical prototype allows for the discovery of any problems, which can then be corrected in the CAD file and a fresh copy printed the following day.

Eco-Friendly

Fewer parts require outsourced for metal stamping manufacturers thanks to 3D printing. As a result, there is a decrease in the amount of shipping that occurs around the world and there is no longer a requirement to run and maintain an energy-intensive manufacturing.

For a single product, 3D printing generates a lot less waste, and the materials are frequently recyclable.  The key benefits of 3D printing may be seen in its benefits in terms of speed, flexibility, and cost. The usage of 3D printing is far preferable than conventional industrial processes for short production runs, prototyping, small businesses, and educational purposes.