How 3D Printing Development is Changing the World of Manufacturing
The first attempts at modern 3D printing were carried out in the 1980s when a Japanese researcher invented two additive methods for fabricating 3D plastic models. Ever since several other 3D printing techniques have been developed that have shaped how 3D printing is carried out today. For many years, 3D printing has been predominantly used to produce prototypes until recently when the technology began taking a role in mass manufacturing and production. For instance, global aircraft manufacturer Airbus has been using over one thousand 3D printed components in some of its aircraft. This begs the question, is 3D printing the future? To answer this, let’s first consider the areas where 3D printing can be used.
Where is 3D printing used?
This technology is currently being used in a diverse range of industries where it has been proven to be efficient and cost-effective especially for mass production. One example is in the health industry whereby 98% of all hearing aids worldwide have been produced using 3D printers. Besides this, 3D printing for manufacturing has been witnessed in the automobile and aviation industries where many vehicles and aircraft components have been manufactured using this technology. 3D printing has also been used in the fashion industry by companies such as Nike and New Balance for manufacturing custom-fit clothing and shoes for commercial purposes.
As noted earlier, 3D printing through additive manufacturing has been largely applied in rapid prototyping of countless industrial products. This is achieved by first using additive manufacturing CAD to design and tweak product models before uploading them to 3D printers for printing. Currently, additive manufacturing is being developed in the food industry to facilitate 3D printing of foods such as chocolate and candy hence replacing food processing plants.
Developments in 3D printing
Some of the notable transformations in 3D printing that have revolutionized the world of manufacturing include:
- It has facilitated a continuous digital thread in manufacturing
3D printing software has created a simplified manufacturing thread in which all processes from design to production are driven by a single digital model hence speeding up the product design process. Based on analysis, feedback, and testing, this digital model can be modified and refined appropriately to suit the needs of the manufacturer. This capability makes CAD 3d printing software by Spatial less expensive as compared to traditional manufacturing methods.
- Presents greater design freedom hence spurring innovation
Traditionally, product designs have always been constrained by manufacturing processes which require the creation of separate components which are later assembled to form one end product. With 3D printing, designers have the freedom to tweak different product models and create complex geometries that achieve greater performances and meet customer needs. This comes with no additional costs for the manufacturer.
In conclusion from the continued developments taking place in the realm of 3D printing, it is crystal clear that the technology will gain even more traction in the manufacturing sector. The numerous benefits it presents over traditional manufacturing methods such as reduced wastage and improved resource use, will be felt on the full value chain right from design to production.