Although additive manufacturing (3D printing) is considered an emerging discipline, its uptake in industrial production has been rapid in recent years. More companies are shifting to 3D printing as a way of cutting costs, especially during product development. This post digs deeper into the concept of additive manufacturing to answer the big question, “How can you apply it in your facility?”

What is 3D Manufacturing?

Before integrating additive manufacturing into your facility, it is important to start by establishing what it is. It is the process of creating 3D physical objects from digital models using 3D printers.

The process involves using advanced software that is capable of interpreting STS files on computers before transferring the printing commands to the printer. Then the 3D printer uses resin or filament to render the computerized illustration, layer after layer, using an appropriate material.

The design of 3D printers makes it easy to create complex objects from materials such as steel, titanium, ceramics, and plastics. The versatility of the 3D printing process has made it one of the most sought-after options by manufacturers. Today, 3D printing is intensively applied in the creation of proteins, airplane parts, human organs, and jewelry. Depending on your area, it can also match well with other components of your manufacturing, such as motors and programmable logic controllers.

How Can You Integrate 3D Printing in Your Manufacturing Facility?

The development of 3D technology opened a wide range of possibilities for manufacturers, from factory maintenance to research and development. Although manufacturers were skeptical about the technology at first, it is now emerging as a favorite, with most of them looking for ways of integrating it into their operations. So, here are some of the ways you can apply 3D printing:

• Product Prototyping

The conventional methods of product prototyping involve using complex molds and tooling. These can be expensive and time-consuming. Also, making changes to the process is never easy because experts are required to start again from scratch. But with 3D manufacturing you are able to rapidly develop digital models, review them, and create multiple prototypes affordably.

• Adopting Bridge Manufacturing

This process entails using additive fabrication methods to produce low quantities of products prior to the application of the preferred tooling technique for mass production. This means that you will be able to get products to the market faster and then introduce modifications to suit the client's needs. This can also be a good idea when targeting product upgrades.

• Product Design

Today, product tooling and CNC machining are fast getting replaced by 3D printers. With a 3D printer, it is possible to create more complex product parts, which were otherwise considered impossible using standard machining strategies. This has opened new opportunities for manufacturers because they are able to come up with more innovative parts. The additive technology puts you at a pole position to become the industry leader by making it possible to design better products and ultimately winning a bigger market share.

As you can see, 3D printing is an emerging technology but with a lot of potential for your facility. Make sure to get the right software, printers, and other equipment to make the technology work. Also, check whether it would work well with your standard motors, pumps, and other machines, and make adjustments where appropriate.