Why is 3D printing more appropriately called additive manufacturing?
The 3D printing technology allows users to manufacture three dimensional solid objects through digital computer file. The computer makes a digital model of the object then adds one layer at a time to create such object; therefore, it is also called additive manufacturing. The additive manufacturing is more suitable in case of low volume production because companies can produce a few products at lower cost by using this technology. The 3D printing technology is booing in recent years because new engineers are implementing it in consumer products. Many studies have suggested that additive manufacture will proliferate in new few years; many traditional production methods will become obsolete after the popularity of 3D printing technology. This report will analyse the procedure and suitable conditions of additive manufacturing. The studies conducted by investment firms will be evaluated to ascertain the future of additive manufacturing. Further, the influence of 3D printing in the production process will be discussed in the report as well.
The objects in 3D printing technology are produced using digital 3D imagery; a cross-sectional layer of material is added by machinery to create the product. The traditional method of production subtract element to form an object but 3D printing technology manufactured by adding a layer, therefore, it is also called additive manufacturing. The primary step in additive manufacturing is making a three-dimensional image of the product; sophisticated computer technology is used to create various 3D model of the object. The digital copy is sent to the 3D printing machine which added a layer to form such product (McMenamin et al. 2014).
The additive manufacturing did not use any traditional process such as cutting, forming or molding to create a product. The injection molding is a popular method of production which assists in manufacturing large quantity of plastic product at cheaper cost. But, the object in additive manufacturing can be formed using various materials such as glass, wax, metal, and plastic. The advancement of technology will assist in the production of organs using human tissues. Therefore, the process of 3D printing is also considered as additive manufacturing procedure (Cesaretti et al. 2014).
As per Leigh et al. (2012), to reduce the cost of manufacturing, companies are requiring producing a lot of objects. In injection molding, the price for manufacturing a small number of the plastic product is significantly high, which forces firms to make a large number of products. But in case of 3D printing technology, the companies can build products in low volume with lower cost. Usually, engineers use this technique for rapid prototyping, but the advancement of technology has assisted many other companies to make their parts using 3D printing method.
The companies use additive manufacturing to produce small and complex components of other products which are difficult to create without a high level of precision. General Electric is using 3D printing technology to manufacture fuel nozzles for advanced jet engines. These parts require a high degree of accuracy which can be achieved using the computer system. In the medical sector, companies such as NIDEK Technologies are using 3D printed parts for latest products such as The Gonioscope (Davies 2017). These devices perform critical takes which require them to have highly precise parts, additive manufacturing help in producing such high-level components. Other industries such as automobile use 3D printers to manufacture parts of fast cars. These engines require precise components to work properly and such precision cannot be achieved by human manufacturing or any other machinery. These elements are less in quantity, and 3D printing technology reduces the cost of their production.
Is 3D printing better suited for high or low volumes of production? Explain your answer.
There are several ways in which additive manufacturing can be significant, but in case of medical and military sectors, it is considered useful. Medical industry requires manufacturing low quantity parts at low prices which can be achieved by using additive manufacturing; companies use it in producing medical components. The hearing aid devices industry is dominated by the 3D printing technology because more than 90 percent of the devices are created using additive manufacturing which is used by more than ten million peoples. Syqe Medical is another company which uses 3D printing technology to create cannabis inhaler which provides better doses and easier to control (Stavert 2017).
Military research corporation ‘Defence IQ’ provided that 75 percent of military experts believe in standardisation of 3D printing technology in the army (Young 2017). The technology is used in producing components for jet engines, aircrafts, and defense machines; these parts require accuracy in production which can be achieved using additive manufacturing. In 2014, Local Motors manufactured the first 3D printed car by using carbon fiber material, these vehicle work correctly and they have to introduce its third model which is autonomous electric powered. The 3D printing is also valuable in consumer product market; many experts believe that this technology will reduce the gap between consumer and production. These developments show the value of 3D printing technology and its contribution to the advancement of the manufacturing process (Campbell, Williams, Ivanova, and Garrett, 2011).
Many investment firms have researched the 3D printing technology to ascertain its future advancement. The Economist compared the advancement of 3D printing technology with the computer industry in their report. The article provided that just like the computer industry, development of additive manufacturing will happen due to a decrease in prices of 3D printers
(The Economist 2017). The machine of 3D printing will be easily accessible by the individuals and companies which will develop the additive manufacturing industry. The growth in technology will assist the 3D printer to create a product using metal components such as titanium, alloy, and steel which can speed up the implementation of additive manufacturing technology in the industrial sector.
As per the research of Gartner, the technology of 3D printing will advance in next 5 to 10 years and can be used by corporations in mass production of objects. PwC conducted a study over additive manufacturing technology and provided that it will change the use of spare parts in the production industry (PwC 2017). According to the study of Reeves and Mendis (2015), the 3D printing technology will have a significant impact on the medical industry. The advancement of technology will assist companies in making organs from human tissues. Currently, the companies use this technique to manufacture medical components of hearing aid devices and prosthetic arms or legs.
The implementation of additive manufacturing technology will transform the procedure of traditional production methods. According to Berman (2012), conventional methods include cutting, forming and molding of material to create new products but 3D printing technology uses the additive way to create a product. This process reduces the waste of raw material which is beneficial for the company and environment. The implementation of additive manufacturing will assist firms in producing small parts which require a high level of precision at a lower price.
In what situations is 3D printing most valuable?
To reduce their production cost, companies are requiring manufacturing large quantity of products in the traditional method of production, which can be changed by the implementation of 3D printing technology. Other processes such as cutting, forming and molding will be obsolete due to 3D printing technology because it uses the additive method in production. The requirement of raw material will also decrease because 3D printing uses 90 percent of content which reduces wastage. The products will be more accessible to create, and companies can only produce a specific quantity of products according to the demand of customers. The leftover stock can be used again in the production of another product which improves environmental protection (Weller, Kleer and Piller, 2015).
The outsourcing of manufacturing process will be obsolete because companies will be able to manufacture complex products in domestic countries. The single production facility will be able to produce different types of products at the same time. With the reduction in prices, customers will be able to buy their 3D printers which will assist them in the manufacturing of products in their homes. The companies will provide a software application to the consumer which will enable them to manufacture a variety of products on their own. The medical sector will be able to produce human organs which will save the lives of many individuals and increase the life expectancy rate in countries.
Conclusion and Recommendations
In conclusion, the additive manufacturing is a suitable name from 3D printing because it added layers to create an object. The process of 3D printing is already implemented in industries such as military, medical and automotive, in which companies are using this technology to produce complex parts. The additive manufacturing is more suitable for producing a low quantity of products at a considerably lower price. Many medical products are manufactured using 3D printing technology because it provides a high level of precision at more affordable rates. Many traditional methods will be obsolete due to the implementation of additive manufacturing by companies such as injection molding, cutting, and outsourcing process. The 3D printing technology will change the production procedure to benefit the consumers and industries.
As per my recommendations, the growth of 3D printing technology is significant in medical, military and automobile sector. Other industries should start using this technology to manufacture their products, primarily, small companies can benefit from this technology because it enables them to produce low-quality product at lower expenses. The companies should promote the use of technology in consumer sector because affordable 3D printers can transform entire production industry. Making affordable printer should be the first step for companies and then making it more accessible to consumers and businesses. The global implementation of 3D printing technology will benefit consumers and enterprises.
References
Campbell, T. A., Williams, C., Ivanova, O., & Garrett, B., 2011. Could 3D Printing Change the World? Technologies, Potential and Implications of Additive Manufacturing, Strategic Foresight. Atlantic Council (www. acus. org).
Cesaretti, G., Dini, E., De Kestelier, X., Colla, V. and Pambaguian, L., 2014. Building components for an outpost on the Lunar soil by means of a novel 3D printing technology. Acta Astronautica, 93, pp.430-450.
Davies, S., 2017. NIDEK Technologies accelerates trial evaluations of vision diagnostic systems with 3D printing. TCT Magazine. Retrieved from < https://www.tctmagazine.com/3d-printing-news/nidek-technologies-vision-diagnostic-systems-3D-printing/ >
Leigh, S.J., Bradley, R.J., Purssell, C.P., Billson, D.R. and Hutchins, D.A., 2012. A simple, low-cost conductive composite material for 3D printing of electronic sensors. PloS one, 7(11), p.e49365.
McMenamin, P.G., Quayle, M.R., McHenry, C.R. and Adams, J.W., 2014. The production of anatomical teaching resources using three?dimensional (3D) printing technology. Anatomical sciences education, 7(6), pp.479-486.
McMenamin, P.G., Quayle, M.R., McHenry, C.R. and Adams, J.W., 2014. The production of anatomical teaching resources using three?dimensional (3D) printing technology. Anatomical sciences education, 7(6), pp.479-486.
PwC., 2017. The future of spare parts in 3D. [PDF file]. PwC. Retrieved from < https://www.strategyand.pwc.com/media/file/The-future-of-spare-parts-is-3D.pdf >
Reeves, P. and Mendis, D., 2015. The current status and impact of 3D printing within the industrial sector: an analysis of six case studies.
Stavert, H., 2017. Medical Cannabis Inhaler Manufacturer Syqe Acquires Nano Dimension Electronics 3D Printer for Prototyping. Investing News. Retrieved from < https://investingnews.com/daily/resource-investing/agriculture-investing/cannabis-investing/medical-cannabis-inhaler-manufacturer-syqe-acquires-nano-dimension-electronics-3d-printer-prototyping/ >
The Economist., 2017. 3D printers start to build factories of the future. The Economist. Retrieved from < https://www.economist.com/news/briefing/21724368-recent-advances-make-3d-printing-powerful-competitor-conventional-mass-production-3d >
Weller, C., Kleer, R., & Piller, F. T., 2015. Economic implications of 3D printing: Market structure models in light of additive manufacturing revisited. International Journal of Production Economics, 164, 43-56.
Young, J., 2017. Defence IQ Study Suggests 75% of Military Professionals Believe 3D Printing Will Be Standardized. 3D Print. Retrieved from < https://3dprint.com/162483/defence-iq-military-3d-printing/ >
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