3D printing is gaining more popularity among most manufacturing companies. According to recent research, more than 23,000 3D printing systems are in use today. Read on for six benefits of 3D printing in manufacturing.
1.Reduced Waste
In traditional manufacturing, production involves the subtractive manufacturing process whereby a part starts out as a solid object, and then different machines are used to remove the material until the desired item is produced, leading to increased waste. However, 3D printing for mass production reduces waste compared to other machines and tools in the manufacturing industry, as 3D printers follow the commands incorporated in the CAD file. This means that they will only use and produce materials in the required areas, enabling your company to minimize waste.
2.Rapid Prototyping
One of the most significant advantages of 3D printing is faster prototyping. For a company to produce a product, it first has to create a prototype. This could take weeks or even months when using traditional manufacturing techniques. 3D printing allows faster prototyping. Your company can promptly design and develop prototypes allowing you to move on to other products.
3.Flexibility
3D printing systems can develop any product within its build capacity. Unlike traditional manufacturing techniques where any change or a new part of the design necessitates a new mold, jig, or tools to develop a new product, the desired configuration is added to the slicker software in a 3D printing system. You then feed in the required support and print with minimal physical equipment or machinery changes.
3D printing also supports geometrics development, such as a hollow cavity within a solid product, which could not be possible with traditional manufacturing systems. You could even include different materials to create distinctive textures and colors within a single product.
4.Accessibility
Compared to traditional manufacturing systems, 3D printers are more accessible and easy to use, making them a popular choice among users. This is because 3D printing units are less expensive than traditional manufacturing units. They are also fully automated, so you do not have to hire more employees to operate, maintain and supervise your 3D printing system, enhancing their accessibility.
5.Cost-effective
If you are looking for an effective way to reduce your company’s expenses, you should consider investing in 3D printers. 3D printing systems involve a one-step manufacturing process enabling you to cut the cost of investing in multiple traditional manufacturing tools.
3D printing can also help you save on material costs, often the most significant expense in part. This is because 3D printers only use the material required for a particular part, so there is no wastage.
3D printing systems do not require highly-skilled technicians to operate, as is the case with traditional manufacturing, helping you save on labor costs. You can further lower costs by outsourcing your project instead of buying expensive 3D printing tools.
6.Environment-friendly
3D printing involves using lightweight parts (plastic material), which boost fuel efficiency. This, combined with reduced material wastage, makes the process eco-friendly.
Endnote
Are you wondering whether 3D printing is suitable for your manufacturing company? Familiarize yourself with the above benefits to make an informed decision.