3D printing as seen big improvements from its early day in the 1980s. Although 3D printing began as a tool for rapid prototyping, it has now grown to cover several different technologies.
The development of 3D printing has seen a rap growth in the number of corporations adopting the technology. The relevance and use cases vary across industries but largely include tooling aids, visual and functional models — and even end-use parts.
As the scope for potential applications for 3D printing increases, companies are getting innovative in finding ways to create new business models and openings with the technology.
In this guide, we’ll be exploring the present state of 3D printing in the industrial sector. We hope that this guide offers you a compre hensive and detailed understanding of how industrial 3d printer is being used to drive innovation and business growth.
The industrial goods sector includes the production of machinery components, tooling, and equipment used in the manufacture of other goods. With the continuous increase in production costs and manufacturing getting digitized, industrial OEMs must regularly evolve to maintain operational flexibility and keep costs down. Manufacturers are therefore increasingly turning to 3D printing to stay flexible, receptive, and innovative.
Some Key Benefits of 3d Printing for Industrial Goods
Shorter lead times
According to some industry report data, 52% of those within the industrial goods sector favor 3D printing mostly because of its ability to shorten lead times. As 3D printing requires no tooling, manufacturing companies can reduce the time needed to createparts, avoiding a time-consuming and costly tooling production phase.
Design complexity
3D printing is aneconomical and cost-effective technology for manufacturing parts with complex geometries. Designs that would otherwise be unachievable with traditional manufacturing can now be produced with 3D printing.
On-demand production
Since physical parts can be made from digital files in a matter of hours using 3D technology, companies can cash on a new model of manufacturing parts on demand.
Conclusion
The industrial 3D printer offers new pathways to develop manufacturing processes while at the same time creating new business models and driving modernization for industrial goods manufacturers.
Although the need for further advancements cannot be any less emphasized to accelerate the adoption of the technology even further, for instance, process repeatability and part quality.
To prepare for this future, industrial OEMs must consider the need to implement a strategy for their organizations keeping in mind the evolving role of 3d printing.
