Definition of 3D Printing Technology and its latest developments
3D printing technologies or additive manufacturing is the process of making 3D solid object from digital file. As studies conducted by Miko?ajewska et al., (2014), said that additive manufacturing or three dimension printing technology is explained as the procedures of making the objective using additive process or made by depositing successive layers of material designed by computer devices.
Implementation of the 3D printing technology helps the organization to produce complex shapes using small materials as compared to the traditional process. 3D printing technology has unprecedented flexibility and helps the organization to cerate of any shapes or part of geometry in easy manner (Gebler, Uiterkamp, & Visser, 2014). Therefore the present report is mainly emphasized application of 3D printing technologies and its benefits in organization especially in manufacturing industries. Moreover, the report also focused on the technologies used by the organization in 3D printing. At lasts the report also emphasized on the future trends of 3D printing technology that helps the business to accomplish better profits in successful manner.
In order to assess the impact of 3D technologies on manufacturing process, Techinfo plc organization has been selected. The main function of the organization is produce printers and computers for organization in Victoria. At present the organization operates its functions suburb of Melbourne in Victoria.
The main aims and purpose of the business i.e. Techinfo plc are following
The main aim of the report is to evaluate and analyse the effectiveness of the 3D printing technologies on organization performance. Moreover the report also focused on how it helps business process to achieve higher profits.
- To analyse the impact of 3D printing technology in Techinfo plc’s business process
- To evaluate and analyse how implementation of 3D printing technologies helps business to increase revenues and sales performance
- To provide an effective recommendation to improve performance of 3D technologies
How problem can be investigated
Investigation of issues associated with the organization has been done with help of better monitoring techniques. Moreover, to find out issues of an organization, financial performance of the company is evaluated. This technique would help to find out the issues is effective manner. As per the findings it can be seen that company presently suffered from the profitability issues and this can be effectively solve with help of adaption of the 3D technologies in their business process.
Body
Additive manufacturing or 3D printing technology has been developing over past thirty years. There is increasing evidence that the technology advancement and materials have ultimately bought it beyond the hype stage. More than 30% of the organizations are implementing or intended to adopt additive manufacturing. As studies conducted Mitsouras, & Liacouras, (2017), said that defence, medical, Aerospace are the most mature sectors in implementing 3D printing technology. Moreover the awareness of 3D printing technologies and a readiness to leverage it’s for tools, prototyping and finished products are increasing in several organization. Emerging utilizes of 3D printing technologies in different industries sectors are following;
Applications of 3D Printing Technology in different industries
Automobile and industries manufacturing: – Automobile and industries manufacturing ought to adapt to three dimensional printing technologies. Implementation of the 3D printing technology not only helps the business to aesthetic design of vehicle but also helps them to prowess to deliver working prototype in short time of period. Additive manufacturing technology helps the automobile and industries manufacturing to produce product in less price, rapid prototype, innovation, empowering and limitless possibilities (Mitsouras, & Liacouras, 2017).
Healthcare: 3D printing technologies have a significant positive impact on health care industries. Implementations of 3D printing technologies have been utilized to print patient’s particular implant and device for medical utilize. Apart from that 3D technology helps the healthcare industries in surgery using precise anatomical model based on the MRI and CT scan. Customizable, cost effective, efficient and collaboration are considered the main benefits of 3D printing technology in the field of social and health care organizations. 3D printing technology is also assistance for scientists and health care professionals in their research of artificial heart. US hearing helps production converted to hundred percentage 3D printing in less than 500 days and key to this transformation was three dimension printers enables a labour intensive, manual to transform into an automated.
Defence and Aerospace: – These sectors are the forefront of three dimension printers in manufacturing sectors. Using 3D printer technologies rather than traditional process is yielding products that are lighter and faster, less wasteful, more efficient and financial reliable (Mueller, 2012).
Retail: 3D technologies in the retail organization help the organization to create new structure as well as forms to enhance existence objects. Several organizations in retail sectors such as Marcy’s and Tesco have implemented virtual or mirror fitting rooms that permits the customers to try on clotting dress with not getting undress. Moreover the organization incorporate 3D printing technologies as a tool to make buying decision in similarly it become more common. On the other hand, Amazon retail organization also incorporates 3D printing services that helps the customers to printed and shied as soon as they ordered.
Sports and education: – 3DP technology helps the sports industries to make custom proactive gear for safety and better fit that improve the performance in effective manner. Moreover 3DP also helps the organization to build custom spike plates for soccer shoes, multi material and multicolour prototype for product testing.
Proposed 3D Printing Technology based applications for business expansion
Therefore from the analysis and findings it can be said that implementation of the 3DP technology helps the Techinfo plc to increase performance and generate quality of products. With the use of this technology organization effectively enhance their performance and generate quality of produces in fewer prices which is the prime objective of the organization.
There are different technologies are uses in 3D printing technologies in order to build object. These are
SLS technology: – SLS technology is mainly based on the laser sintering in three dimension printing techniques, which mainly consisting of the fabrication of the entity or object by melting series of layers of power. This technology implements CO2 laser to heat as well as fuse the durable thermoplastic power in order to make versatile part.
Fused deposition modelling technology: – FDM is mainly implemented to make complex functional and geometrical part such as low volume of production pieces, prototypes, fixture, jigs as well as manufacturing aids(Gebler, Uiterkamp, & Visser, 2014)..
Setreolitography: – This is also known as the SLA, which is made parts layer by layers with the help of ultra violate laser in order to solidify liquid photopolymers in successful manner. This technology is mainly incorporated the concepts models, larger prototypes, investment casting pattern as well as master pattern.
Direct metal laser sintering: – DMLS fuses mainly uses the alloy materials and powered metal with high wattage laser in order to produce metal parts and robust. Direct meal laser sintering is generated fully realized parts of metals such as production parts as well as tools for several of industries (Ambrosi, & Pumera, 2016).
Benefits of 3DP technology
Faster production cycle: – With the help of the implementation of 3D printing technology, several middle steps in business process become redundant or unnecessary. Eventually, to manufacture the goods or products it is simple for organization to entering in the program, interesting the raw materials and then finished the goods. Therefore the findings show that if an organization i.e. Techinfo plc implements 3D technology in manufacturing process then they can produce goods in fast manner.
Less waste: – 3DP technology helps the manufacture organization to reduce waste materials from the production of goods and services. Objective of the Techinfo plc is to obtain higher profits and increase market share; therefore utilization of the 3DP technology in business process helps the organization to reduce wastage that indirectly helps the organization to make higher profits as compared to their competitors.
Evaluation of the advantages and disadvantages of proposed applications
Reduce time between design iterations: 3DP technology helps the organization to reduce the time of production of goods and products(Gebler, Uiterkamp, & Visser, 2014). Moreover it also helps the organization to produce product with high speed and better quality.
Low cost production: – Since 3D printing technologies can manufacture material in short time of period as it facilitates rapid prototyping that indicates cost associated to produce manufacturing products is less.
Elimination of the storage expense Mass production of good and products gives rise to the storage problem. Since small scale of the production of goods and production does not expenses higher when 3D printing technology used (Rayna, , & Striukova, 2014).
Disadvantage of 3DP technology
Reduce in manufacturing job: – Utilization of the 3DP technology reduces the manufacturing job as it is based on the IT techniques therefore it can be said that it has an adverse impact on the economy of an organization.
Limited size: – The size of goods and products generated through 3DP technology is presently limited. Moreover, if an organization can incorporate this technology then they need to face such type of issues in their production process.
Limited raw materials:- Traditional methods of manufacturing of goods and products has a massive range of raw materials that can be effectively utilized (Mueller, 2012)..
Violation of copyrights: The biggest disadvantage associated with this technology is counterfeiting. Any organizations that hold blueprint of 3DP technology machine then they can easily counterfeit goods.
Therefore from the observation and findings it can be said that, with the benefits of 3DP technology, it is surly that the technology in upcoming years is more effective. Apart from that technology must be addressed these issues and solve them effectively.
3D printing technology helps the organization to increase performance in terms of resolution, speed, autonomous, ease of use, repeatabitly and reliability. From the findings and analysis it can be seen that 3D printing technology helps the organization to produce multiple type of materials, and provide the capability to print active system and functional that includes several modules including batteries, micro electrical mechanical system and embedded system etc. Moreover from the analysis and findings it can be seen that 3D printing technology helps the organization Techinfo plc to increase high capability of products with low costs. From the analysis, it can be suggested that the management of the organization Techinfo plc needs to implement SLS technology, Setreolitography technology and direct metal laser sintering technology in its business process (Rengier et al., 2010). Implementation of these technologies would help the organization to generate quality of product with fewer prices that directly helps the organization to increase customer’s satisfaction. Apart from that, it is said that 3D printing technology is more automated and easier to utilize.
Ethical, social and legal considerations of proposed solutions
Amazon has recently launched new stores that offer 3D printed goods and products to customers which involve products that can be customized to change their materials, goods as well as design. Implementation of new concept or technology helps the organization Amazon to generate higher profits and revenues. Therefore, from the given case study it is seen that the organization Techinfo plc wants to increase market share and also offers its goods and products through online stores i.e. e-commerce. Thus if an organization can implement 3D printing technology in its organization then they can accomplish higher revenues in easier manner.
From the above figure it can be seen that the upcoming trends of the 3D printing technology is demanding and it if the organization can implement this technology in its business process then they can achieve better market benefits.
From the analysis and observation it can be found that, 3DP technology has a positive impact on supply chain management. 3D printing technology aids the organization to fulfil the needs in real time and helps to lower inventory costs by enabling organizations to maintain a print part and virtual inventory as they required. On the other hand, findings show that 3DP technology has generated positive outcomes for organization (Canessa et al., 2013). Therefore from the findings and analysis it can be said that objective is fully satisfied i.e. from the findings it can be seen that 3DP technology has positive impact on organization performance. The findings also shows that 3D can reduce inventory costs and generate quality of products which indicate as that second objective in fulfil. The findings shows that upcoming tends of 3D printing technology is high; so that if an organization can adopt these technologies in its business process then they not only increase market share but also build its reputation strong in market.
Conclusion
From the analysis and findings it can be concluded that 3D printing technology has great impact on organization performance. It helps the business to achieve specific objective and operational outcomes. The findings signifies that 3D printing technology have a wide range of application in manufacturing industries extending from education to construction. The analysis shows that the organization can accomplish lots of the benefits through 3DP technology mainly its helps the organization to reduce inventory costs, wastage of materials, produce products in less price that would positively helps the organization to achieve higher customers satisfaction. The analysis shows that the main issues associated with the 3D printing technologies are is that it is not standardized, it impact on the environment, product and equipment expense are high, it is more complicated are compared to the traditional approach (Campbell et al., 2011). Moreover to implement 3D printing technology organization needs to skill labour. Therefore from the findings and analysis it can be said that implementation of the 3D printing technology helps the organization to fulfil its objective in successful manner and increase market growth.
Recommendations are following;
- From the above findings and analysis, it can be seen that the main issues associated with this techniques is lack of skill labour in the organization. So that, to solve this issues it can be recommended that the management of the organization can need to implement higher level of training and development program. This would help the organization to accomplish this objective in successful manner.
- 3D printing technology organization need to take the imitative in making sure that consumer safety is implemented to product design (Ambrosi, & Pumera, 2016).
- In order to increase the quality of products organization needs to invest huge money in R&D to increase 3D printing technology performance. R&D helps the organization to produce new technology and materials development in successful manner.
References
Ambrosi, A., & Pumera, M. (2016). 3D-printing technologies for electrochemical applications. Chemical Society Reviews, 45(10), 2740-2755
Campbell, T., Williams, C., Ivanova, O., & Garrett, B. (2011). Could 3D printing change the world. Technologies, Potential, and Implications of Additive Manufacturing, Atlantic Council, Washington, DC.
Canessa, E., Fonda, C., Zennaro, M., & Deadline, N. (2013). Low-?cost 3D printing for science, education and sustainable development. Low-Cost 3D Printing, 11.
Gebler, M., Uiterkamp, A. J. S., & Visser, C. (2014). A global sustainability perspective on 3D printing technologies. Energy Policy, 74, 158-167.
Miko?ajewska, E., Macko, M., Ziarnecki, ?., Sta?czak, S., Kawalec, P., & Miko?ajewski, D. (2014). 3D printing technologies in rehabilitation engineering.
Mitsouras, D., & Liacouras, P. C. (2017). 3D Printing Technologies. In 3D Printing in Medicine (pp. 5-22). Springer, Cham.
Mueller, B. (2012). Additive manufacturing technologies–Rapid prototyping to direct digital manufacturing. Assembly Automation, 32(2).
Rayna, T., & Striukova, L. (2014). The impact of 3D printing technologies on business model innovation. In Digital enterprise design & management (pp. 119-132). Springer, Cham.
Rengier, F., Mehndiratta, A., Von Tengg-Kobligk, H., Zechmann, C. M., Unterhinninghofen, R., Kauczor, H. U., & Giesel, F. L. (2010). 3D printing based on imaging data: review of medical applications. International journal of computer assisted radiology and surgery, 5(4), 335-341.