3D Printing

ndustrial 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is a process of creating three-dimensional objects by adding material layer by layer based on a digital design. It differs from traditional 3D printing in several key aspects:

1. Scale and Size: Industrial 3D printing is capable of producing much larger and more complex objects compared to traditional desktop 3D printers. It is used for manufacturing industrial-scale components and parts.

2. Materials: Industrial 3D printers can work with a wide range of materials beyond standard thermoplastics, including metal powders, ceramics, composites, and advanced polymers. This diversity enables the production of functional end-use parts and components.

3. Precision and Resolution: Industrial 3D printers often provide higher precision and resolution, allowing for finer details and better surface finishes. This level of accuracy is crucial for industries like aerospace and medical, where tight tolerances are essential.

4. Speed and Throughput: While industrial 3D printing can be slower than traditional methods like injection molding or CNC machining, advancements in technology have improved the speed and throughput, making it more feasible for large-scale production.

5. Complexity: Industrial 3D printing excels in producing highly intricate geometries and complex structures that are challenging or impossible to achieve using traditional manufacturing methods. This capability enables design optimization and lightweighting of components.

6. Customization and Prototyping: Industrial 3D printing allows for rapid prototyping and customization, facilitating the production of unique parts tailored to specific needs, which is beneficial in various industries, including medical and consumer goods.

7. Cost-Effectiveness: For low-volume production or custom one-off parts, industrial 3D printing can be cost-effective compared to traditional manufacturing methods that require expensive tooling.

Overall, industrial 3D printing has revolutionized manufacturing processes by offering greater design freedom, material versatility, and the ability to produce complex and functional parts efficiently. It has become a transformative technology with diverse applications across numerous industries.

Industrial 3D printing offers significant benefits across a wide range of industries. Some of the industries that can benefit the most from this technology include:

1. Aerospace: 3D printing enables the production of lightweight and complex aerospace components, reducing fuel consumption and enhancing overall performance.

2. Automotive: Automotive manufacturers can use 3D printing for rapid prototyping, custom tooling, and producing specialized parts, leading to faster design iterations and cost savings.

3. Healthcare and Medical: Medical professionals can utilize 3D printing for patient-specific implants, prosthetics, surgical guides, and medical models, improving patient outcomes and surgical planning.

4. Manufacturing and Industrial Equipment: 3D printing facilitates the production of custom jigs, fixtures, and tooling, enhancing manufacturing efficiency and flexibility.

5. Defense and Military: The defense sector can benefit from 3D printing by creating spare parts on-demand, reducing supply chain lead times, and producing complex equipment components.

6. Architecture and Construction: 3D printing allows for the construction of intricate architectural models, customized building components, and even entire structures, streamlining the construction process.

7. Consumer Goods: 3D printing enables the creation of personalized and unique products, such as fashion accessories, home décor items, and consumer electronics.

8. Energy and Power: The energy sector can utilize 3D printing for lightweight and efficient components in turbines, power plants, and renewable energy systems.

9. Electronics: 3D printing can be applied to produce custom electronic housings, prototypes, and miniaturized components.

10. Education and Research: 3D printing is valuable in educational settings for teaching complex concepts and prototyping, and in research labs for creating scientific models and prototypes.

These are just some of the many industries that can benefit from industrial 3D printing. As the technology continues to advance and become more accessible, its applications are expected to expand further into new industries and domains.

Find out more about the industries we work with here. 

Industrial 3D printing is suitable for producing functional end-use parts as well as prototypes.

While 3D printing was initially used primarily for rapid prototyping and concept validation, it has evolved to offer a wide range of materials, including high-performance polymers, metals, ceramics, and composites. These materials have properties that make them suitable for end-use applications, meeting the requirements for strength, durability, and other performance characteristics. See our materials list for more information

In industries like aerospace, automotive, medical, and consumer goods, industrial 3D printing is now being used to create functional parts that are used in actual products and systems. See our case studies

While traditional manufacturing methods like injection molding and CNC machining still dominate for mass production, industrial 3D printing is increasingly becoming a valuable tool for custom and low-volume production, as well as for applications that require complex geometries and intricate designs.