3D printing is an additive manufacturing technique that uses layers of material stacked and fused together to form geometrically complex parts. The technology reduces the need for multiple parts and can be used for rapid prototyping as well as creating lightweight geometries.
Once reserved for only large companies, cheaper printers, advances in materials and patent expirations have made 3D printing more accessible to both small businesses and individuals alike.
Cost
There are various factors that impact the cost of 3D printing. These factors include materials, print time and post processing expenses as well as fixed costs such as printer cost and energy prices; all expenses that cannot be avoided. These expenses should be factored into your total expenses when considering costs for each part.
Though 3D printing may have some drawbacks, it can save companies money by cutting manufacturing costs and speeding product development cycles. But before adopting this technology it’s essential that all costs associated with its implementation are carefully considered in order to determine if this solution is suitable for your company.
Initial steps in 3D printing involve designing an object virtually using computer-aided design (CAD) software. This digital model serves as the blueprint for printing; once complete, however, it must be prepared for print by slicing it into layers – this reduces file size significantly and makes printing accessible across a wide array of printers.
Labor costs are also an integral component of 3D printing costs. Depending on the type of printer, each one-off print could require anywhere between 40 minutes and two hours of employee time – from file prep, slicing software work, loading/unloading filament, monitoring builds/adjustments of machine settings/clearing up mess with isopropyl alcohol/rubber gloves/sandpaper cleanup as well as hand post processing (trimming brims, zits/strings removing support struts). Xometry’s comparison service helps businesses compare instant quotes from multiple 3D printer services so they can find one best suited to their business needs.
Flexibility
3D printing’s adaptability enables businesses to tailor it to their product development processes, from rapid iterations production of parts through design thinking principles and innovative product creation, to personalising products for increased sales and brand loyalty. 3D printing also makes personalisation of products easier, which increases both sales and brand loyalty.
3D printers provide an alternative manufacturing process: digital library files that can be edited at any time and instantly. This eliminates storage needs while saving money on tools and warehousing expenses, plus printing-on-demand reduces material wastage.
For example, an engineer at another plant requires the services of Cologne engineers for their fixture or jig. A copy can be printed within hours at very little cost without incurring international express shipping and customs paperwork costs – streamlining maintenance while decreasing parts that could go wrong.
3D printing uses additive methods rather than subtractive ones, reducing waste materials significantly and saving on storage costs; thereby helping companies save on warehousing expenses and increase profit margins. Furthermore, 3D printers can be networked together into an “operated factory-like environment”, with one person running all production line printers simultaneously.
Reliability
Dependability refers to how consistently a printer produces results day after day, unlike accuracy which measures how closely prints match digital designs, or precision which measures consistency over a prolonged period.
Mistakes during fabrication can often result in defective products that cost designers and engineers money to correct later. With 3D printing however, this issue becomes less of a worry because errors can often be corrected before final product production takes place, thus decreasing risk for faulty parts while simultaneously increasing productivity.
Though 3D printing may not yet be an everyday manufacturing practice, its increasing reliability is already showing its worth. 3D printers can help replace broken household appliances or create medical devices and tools; moreover, prototypes for complex designs can help shorten product development timelines significantly.
3D printing’s greener manufacturing process also benefits both costs and environmental sustainability. Furthermore, its adoption will lead to reduced global transportation needs, helping lower carbon emissions while cutting costs.
Sustainability
3D printing has quickly become an essential technology for manufacturing companies due to its ability to reduce labour costs. Traditional production techniques require skilled machinists and an elaborate assembly line in order to piece together final products, while 3D printing eliminates this step by uploading your design and producing it through automated means. Furthermore, this method produces less waste compared to injection molding or CNC milling methods.
3D printers can produce parts using various materials, including plastics and metals. This provides incredible versatility when designing products. Furthermore, the printing process can be used to manufacture parts that cannot be made any other way – providing businesses and customers alike with custom made items that benefit both parties involved.
With advanced design software, companies can easily modify and test prototypes. This flexibility enables quick changes that can be tested against real-world conditions to help ensure optimal product quality and reduce retooling cycles in high volume production environments. Finally, 3D printing offers greater design freedom to reduce redesign cycles during high-volume production processes.
Companies looking to fully leverage 3D printing must ensure it fits into their overall business strategy, which means identifying what products and parts can be printed, but also considering how these will fit into existing operations of their organization.
