![]() However, its applications stretch well beyond prototyping to other facets of the product lifecycle. Is 3D printing just for rapid prototyping?ģD printing is an essential tool for accelerating the prototyping process. ![]() You can shave days off production cycles, remove complexity from final assembly, produce lightweight, high-strength structures, create hyper-realistic prototypes and be more competitive. In other words, 3D printing opens new doors. Life-cycle sustainability – Design freedom and point-of-use production allow for lighter, optimized parts that save fuel use and reduce environmental impact.Cost-efficient manufacturing – The absence of tooling requirements eliminates one of the largest manufacturing costs, making lower-volume production cost effective.Personalization – With the encumbrance of economy-of-scale out of the picture, personalization can go mass-market, allowing greater market differentiation.Streamlined supply chains – On-demand capabilities and point-of-use production short-circuit traditional supply chains, speeding delivery and reducing inventory costs.Embedded functionality – 3D printing allows for the inclusion of added capabilities within a part or assembly, eliminating manufacturing steps, lowering cycle time and reducing cost.Design freedom – Parts can optimized for the design purpose rather than limited by the restrictions of traditional manufacturing constraints.These benefits are characterized by six key drivers: Why should I invest in 3D printing – what are the benefits?ģD printing provides a number of business benefits that provide compelling reasons for its adoption. Even edible materials such as chocolate are being used in 3D printers. Cutting-edge bioinks, which use a mixture of human cells and gelatin, have also been leveraged to 3D print complex tissue models. Thermoplastics are the most frequently used materials, but the technology also includes photopolymers, epoxy resins, metals, and more. Product designers and engineers upload a digital (CAD) file to a 3D printer, which then prints a solid 3D object. Instead of machining or "subtracting" material to form an object - much like how a sculptor cuts away clay - 3D printing adds layer upon layer of material to build an object, but only where it’s needed. To help out, we’ve compiled this list that we think will get you started on a foundation upon which you can build your knowledge and make more informed decisions.ģD printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is the exact opposite of the traditional way of making objects. ![]() If you’re new to 3D printing, it’s understandable to have questions about where to begin or whether it’s a good fit. ![]() 3D printing is a broad topic involving multiple technologies and a wide array of printers to serve myriad applications. ![]()
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