It's Time to Take Advantage of 3D Printing

March 4, 2020
Additive manufacturing has finally reached a maturity level where it has something to offer most manufacturers.

Over the last decade, awareness of the value of AM has grown significantly within the manufacturing community, explains Rajeev Kulkarni, VP, Strategy, 3D Systems. “The AM industry has made a dramatic transition – moving from being used primarily for prototyping to production solutions. AM is now considered a step within the manufacturing process and is part of multiple manufacturing workflows,” says Kulkarni. “We have seen evidence of this in the most recent E&Y study that confirms the adoption of additive is ramping – moving from the researching and prototyping phase to production – with nearly 75% of companies embracing the technology."

This adoption has been facilitated by a combination of innovations – not only in printing technologies, but also in materials science. As the technology has continued to mature, the focus has moved from feeds and speeds to applications and materials, indicating a level of comfort across the growing customer base. Kulkarni tells IndustryWeek, the latest materials in-market possess mechanical properties that enable creation of durable, end-use parts. "We will see materials innovation accelerate - continuing to open up new applications and solutions,” he says.

Understandably, the goal when embracing new manufacturing technologies is to create parts more efficiently and cost-effectively. The draw towards additive manufacturing is no exception. With the right material and 3D printer combination, plastics and metals AM offers multiple value propositions that help drive the desire to integrate it into manufacturing workflows, explains Kulkarni. "The technology is capable of providing a host of benefits for various applications to improve accuracy, increase efficiency, and reduce total cost of operation," he says. Specifically, the technology is enables:   

  • Lighter parts
  • Reduction of part count via assembly consolidation
  • Customization at affordable price points
  • Producing geometries that cannot be manufactured using other traditional processes
  • Improvement of fluid dynamics within designs
  • Production using new, unique materials
  • Optimizing design for functionality
  • Multi-material parts
  • Multi-color parts
  • Reduction or elimination of tooling
  • Reduction of time to market

"Furthermore, the technology is versatile enough to print materials like sugar, chocolate, concrete, wax, drugs, cosmetics, organic tissue – mediums that expand capability beyond traditional plastics and metals. AM is not only positively influencing how manufacturing is done, but is quickly making the same positive impacts on people’s quality of life," says Kulkarni. 

Sponsored Recommendations

UKG Ready People Insights

Dec. 28, 2022
Designed to deliver trusted AI guidance automatically without adding to your workload, UKG Ready™ People Insights provides proactive, practical recommendations that help you help...

Meet the iBase-t Experts: Introduction

Sept. 15, 2023
iBase-t sat down to have a candid conversation with their CEO, Naveen Poonian, Vice President of Aerospace and Defense, Pamela Schweppe and Sr. Manager, Customer Experience, Holly...

2023 IW Web Survey Contest Rules

June 30, 2022
Online Contest Rules 1. Introduction: IndustryWeek ("Sponsor") is offering the Online Contest ("Contest"). NO PURCHASE NECESSARY. A PURCHASE DOES NOT IMPROVE YOUR CHANCE OF WINNING...

A Quick Solumina MES Product Demo

Sept. 15, 2023
View this quick demo of iBase-t’s Solumina MES solution designed specifically for complex discrete manufacturers to help improve operational agility, standardize production processes...

Voice your opinion!

To join the conversation, and become an exclusive member of IndustryWeek, create an account today!