Integrating desktop 3D printers into your workflow yields impressive results. Concepts and prototypes can be printed in hours, quickly and inexpensively produced,
allowing for multiple iterations. Through physical models, team members and stakeholders can understand complex ideas by seeing and touching them. Which industries are the fastest to embrace
this powerful technology?
Let's take a look at five ways 3D printing can increase productivity, shorten cycle times, and give businesses a competitive edge.
Product Development
The most important thing is to bring your new product to market as quickly as possible. However, fast work can lead to errors or failure to meet customer expectations.
A 3D printer allows you to test iterations in a fast, cost-effective way, adjusting the design without additional cost, and refining your product in hours
instead of weeks.
Propeller part design iterations 3D printed and metal cast prototypes
Benefits include:
• Better decision-making. 3D printing brings a range of concepts and allows for the best choices in the early design phase.
• Checking shape and form. Basic 3D printed models can easily be evaluated for molding, size, and overall proportion.
• Functional prototypes. Test your prototypes under real conditions, checking their function, fit, and manufacturing.
• Checking appearance. Designers, manufacturers, and stakeholders can easily evaluate the visual appearance.
Manufacturing Aids
Production efficiency is paramount in a business environment – time equals money. 3D printing can quickly and easily produce jigs, fixtures, and other tools, reducing assembly
time and variations in the assembly process, accelerating machine setup, and making the production process smoother.
Tire protector at Volkswagen Autoeuropa factory Print simple items to keep your workspace organized
3D printing your manufacturing aids ensures:
• Better quality assurance. Use precise gauges to test the accuracy and quality of production parts.
• Tooling needs. When you need jigs, fixtures, and other tools, they can be quickly produced with 3D printing, simplifying production time.
• Better tool organization. 3D printed organization is inexpensive and quick to produce, promoting better organization in the work environment.
• Custom molds and graphics. Easily incorporate low-run injection molds or soluble PLA casting methods into your workflow.
End-Use Parts
3D printing can also be used to produce small batches of customized end-use parts, offering greater flexibility and allowing businesses to produce small batches of parts without the risk of large-scale manufacturing.
At the same time, it provides the capacity to print on-site and create products for customers while they wait.
Create custom functional designs or use small-batch production
Here are other ways 3D printing can be used for end-use parts and improve your business:
• Create custom one-off parts. FFF manufacturing means you can create one-off items and cost-effective custom printed objects.
• Produce replacement parts. With an in-house desktop 3D printer, it's easy to print replacement parts, shortening the supply chain and procurement process.
• Run small batches. Small batches can be produced cheaply and easily, without the risks associated with large quantities.
• Distributed manufacturing. By printing end-use products for customers, you can provide them with the products they need in a timely manner.
Architecture
Communicating complex architectural concepts to clients is a challenge. 3D printing allows early designs to be evaluated, complex ideas to be communicated, and architectural concepts to be easily demonstrated. Model production time is reduced from months to days, and complex geometries can be printed, providing architects with greater creative freedom.
View designs in a 3D environment or choose from multiple early-stage concepts
Other advantages include:
• Easy production of concept models. Sketch models can be quickly printed to establish direction in the early stages.
• Large-scale research. Architects can view their buildings and then expand modular 3D printed part models.
• Better presentation. 3D printed scale models can be presented to clients in a more engaging way.
• Master planning. 3D printing is not only precise but can also be used for planning large-scale printing of scale models.
Healthcare
Medical professionals can scan patients' 3D models to determine what is needed before performing procedures, reducing the time patients spend under anesthesia and lowering surgical costs.
3D models from scanned data aid in surgical planning and communication with patients and students
This personalized approach to healthcare also includes:
Improved surgical planning. Surgeons can prepare before surgery, improving overall outcomes.
Easier communication with patients. 3D models help patients understand surgery better, providing something they can see and touch.
Effective medical instruments. Medical and research equipment can be quickly and easily prototyped, and tools can be printed when needed.
Effective clinical training. Through 3D printed anatomical models, students can better understand anatomy and surgical procedures.
Original link: https://ultimaker.com/en/blog/52652-the-five-key-3d-printing-applications