3D Printing Technology Is About To Take Manufacturing By Storm: Here’s What You Need To Know
FDM stands for Fusion Deposition Modeling. This form of 3D printing uses heat to melt and mould polymer filament into any shape you can conceive. This method isn’t restricted to one kind of material though.
The capabilities of 3D printing are growing at an exponential rate. You can print objects using everything from flame-retardant polymers to edible chocolate. In a couple of years, nearly everything we use in our daily lives could be 3D printed.
In today’s rapidly evolving marketplace, there is a pressing need to adopt 3D printing technology to stay competitive and relevant.
This article takes a look at the potential (and current) uses of 3D printing in manufacturing.
Versatility At The Tip Of Your Nozzle
FDM, despite being a relatively new technology, is used extensively across various industries. For example, it’s used to take rapid prototyping to the next level. What used to once take weeks to take from drawing board to functional prototype can now be done in a matter of mere hours.
This type of rapid iteration will allow for breakthroughs to occur more rapidly in every field that adopts 3D printing technology.
As the 3D printer price in India drops with every passing year, the efficiency and cost-effectiveness grows as well. This means that more and more industries will be able to use 3D printing as a feasible manufacturing method.
The growth of this technology also means that soon, obsolescence will become a thing of the past. No matter how old or niche your appliance or gadget, you’ll be able to order spare parts that will be specifically 3D printed for your use.
This implies that companies will no longer have to preemptively manufacture and store tens of thousands of spare parts. Instead, they can simply manufacture and ship them on demand. A much more efficient system.
3D printing can also be used to customise products to each customer. The most important application of this is in the medical field. Even today, it’s entirely possible to 3D print replacement joints customised to every individual.
Redefining The Automobile
The automotive industry has been using 3D printing technology for a long time now. Industry giant Ford uses 3D printing as a means of rapidly generating and testing iterations of prototypes for everything from ducts to engines.
Relatively newer automobile manufacturers like Local Motors are also integrating 3D printing into the manufacturing process. They aim to enable their customers to have greater control over the manufacturing of their vehicle, and to add a degree of customisation to the process.
This industry is quick to adapt to new developments in the field of 3D printing, so one day, in the not-too-distant future, you’ll be able to drive a car that is entirely 3D printed.
Impact On SME Industries In India
It’s not just large-scale businesses and industries that can use 3D printing to great effect. small and medium enterprises will be one of the sectors that is affected the most by this technology.
The extent to which small-scale manufacturing is made easier by 3D printing means that once prices drop just a little further, it will be rapidly adopted by SME industries.
With the help of 3D printing, SMEs in India will be able to take advantage of the rapid prototyping potential of 3D printing to expand into new markets, innovate, and provide consumers with innovative and more tailored products.
The flexible nature of the medium means that there is no limit to what can be achieved with 3D printing, given enough creativity and time.
The face of SME industries in India is about to undergo rapid change and disruption. As always, businesses that plan for this change now will be able to get a headstart on their competitors when the time comes.
Reaching For Rarified Heights
Aerospace can also benefit greatly from the adoption of 3D printing technology. It can be used to create strong and lightweight parts, rapidly iterate on design ideas, and manufacture highly specialised spare parts on demand.
What’s more, the applications of 3D printing technology extend even to space exploration. NASA recently successfully test-fired a 3D printed rocket, and it worked perfectly! Take a look at the test below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FeMzRUT46RE
We’re one step closer to making Star Wars level technology a reality. Impressive, huh?
Manufacturing is going to experience a revolution that will have as much impact as the development of the steam engine, if not greater. We’re moving towards a world with a smarter, faster, and more cost-effective manufacturing sector.
Are you on board?