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Over the past ten years, 3D printing has rapidly grown in popularity. According to a recent analysis, the 3D printing market was estimated to be worth $13.7 billion in 2020 and is expected to grow to $63.46 billion by 2026, which shows a compound yearly growth rate of about 30%.
Many manufacturers now believe that 3D printing is the future of part production with the introduction of new materials, improved technologies, and affordable printing procedures.
How 3D printing facilitates manufacturing innovation?
3D printing enables manufacturing companies to manufacture high-quality products faster and at a fraction of the expense of conventional processes. While injection molding requires manufacturers to develop and produce expensive equipment before producing parts, 3D printing allows them to transmit a digital design file to the printer.
This speed and affordability give manufacturers unmatched prototyping and production flexibility. Manufacturers may change designs to stay updated with customer trends without replacing outdated tooling. Additionally, product teams can provide more customization, eliminate labor-intensive assembly stages, lower storage expenses, and create affordable low-volume runs.
The huge range of materials compatible with 3D printing technology makes it much simpler for product teams to locate a material that satisfies their chemical and physical parameters. In addition to conventional thermosets and thermoplastics, some 3D printers can also print using composite filaments, photosensitive resins, and other materials for manufacturing objects with intricate shapes.
New Prospects of 3 D Printing in different industries
The prospects for 3D printing are boundless, and additive manufacturing is already driving innovation in many different industries.
The healthcare industry: There are many amazing applications for 3D printing in the medical sector. The ability to create parts with hollow internal geometries and the comparatively low cost of 3D printing makes additive manufacturing an excellent option for creating light, sturdy prostheses.
Along with many other innovative 3D printing developments in healthcare, the pandemic witnessed the mass production of face shields and the printing of ventilator parts. Patient-specific surgical models and various dental uses, such as antimicrobial dental implants, dentures, impression trays, and more.
The automotive industry: For interior automobile components like customized sports car seats, several manufacturers in the automotive sector use 3D printing. Others build custom-fitted seats using additive manufacturing to produce out-of-date spare parts for old cars cost-effectively.
The aerospace industry: Aviation companies are just beginning to use 3D printing in their manufacturing processes in the aerospace sector. The cost and weight advantages of 3D-printed components over traditional ones allow for more fuel-efficient vehicles without compromising strength, heat resistance, or structural integrity.
The energy industry: Energy companies can produce parts more cheaply and swiftly with 3D printing. While increasing efficiency, 3D printing solar panels can save production costs by 50%. Similarly, printing turbine blade molds can cut shipping costs and do away with the time-consuming process of manually making molds. Furthermore, companies might print obsolete parts to extend the life of their equipment.
The sporting goods industry: Sporting goods manufacturers can develop products that are highly customized for athletes, enhancing their performance and offering better comfort and protection. E.g.,
- Lattice-structured bespoke helmets provide ventilation and impact absorption and are lightweight.
- Baseball glove inserts enhance response time and playability
- Snowboard bindings that fit rider's boards
- Bespoke bike saddles provide the optimum balance, comfort, and stability
Due to its speed, low cost, high level of customization, and capacity to create complicated geometries, 3D printing is already revolutionizing the industrial industry. Manufacturers will develop novel and cutting-edge 3D printing solutions as the technology progresses.
Innovae3D, an ISO 9001 D Certified company, provides cutting-edge 3D printing services all over India. We partner with top OEMs across industry sectors to bring their ideas to life. We offer Rapid Prototyping, Conformal Cooling Tooling, CNC machining, DfAM, and 3D Printing Services in India.