Idea Watch Services in 3D Printing
Despite the technology being much cheaper now, we are far from the time when everyone can afford their own printer. Companies like Ponoko and Shapeways have developed to give users the benefit of 3D printing by delivering a digital file, which then gets printed at an affordable rate. These commercial printers also let
their users sell their designs through their web sites, much as an electronic book might be for sale. 3D printing services are also offered business to business. For instance, an architect might want to print a model of a house for presentation to a potential customer. Slowly and gradually, people are
SOME OF THE BENEFITS OF 3D PRINTING
3D Advantages Using printing, can of 3D Printing one create models that exactly replicate a future production version, with complete functionality for end-user testing prior to the expensive and time-consuming process of making molds and machine tools and dies. This replaces limited-functionality, limited-use models that cannot give a complete and accurate end-user experience, thus saving possible waste of early production models that have hidden flaws or design problems. While 3D printing has been in use for years, it is only recently that the technology has been commercially viable. Because the cost is decreasing, quality is increasing, and the technology is within reach of more users, 3D printing has aroused great interest in a wide range of industries and among potential users.
TIME
Three dimensional printing enables users to construct functional models in just hours instead of days or weeks.
EASY TO USE Besides design stills required to create your 3D object using software, 3D printng is relatively easy to use, making it a tool that anyone can work with
QUALITY The objects produced by 3D printing are long lasting and durable due to the materials used in the “printing� process
MULTI-PURPOSE 3D printing methods enable the production of objects with highly detailed surface features. This makes it easy to make prototypes or construct models for a variety of products within virtually any industry.
How 3D Printing Is Revolutionizing the Manufacturing Sector The manufacturing sector is rapidly making the shift to 3D printing from the typical mechanical production. 3D printing has enabled greater creative freedom, consistency, and cost effectiveness. With the help of 3D printing, manufacturers no longer need to carry out long procedures that are highly labor intensive with lengthy turnaround times between
realizing the importance and viability of 3D printing. The future of 3D printing is exceptionally bright, with many of the sectors and industries already incorporating its use within their businesses and lines of production. Now is the time for companies to investigate for themselves the possibilities and advantages of 3D printing.
design concept and production. Instead, they can quickly make durable prototypes for trial purposes. Time consuming and expensive tooling, complex assembly lines, and interdependent supply chain mechanisms will quickly become things of the past. Nike, for instance, has made use of 3D printing to make different shoe prototypes. This, in turn, has helped to increase their production margin 30% without additional costs. Many other companies have also incorpo-
MONEY Products may be produced at a lower cost. Generating prototypes with 3D printers is cheaper and easier than making molds that may only be used
rated 3D printing in their manufacturing processes. 3D printers are also great at increasing artistic variations and creativity in designs, allowing greatly expanded possibilities for experimentation. 3D printing is already becoming highly integrated in many industries such as prosthetics, bio medicines, and the automotive sector. Future possible uses might aid in the reduction of world hunger and poverty by printing bio genetic products in medicine and food production.
Issue 10 - OCTOBER 2015
49