3D printing technology has come a long way since its conception in the 1980s. Over the years, various forms of 3D printing have come up, and many types of 3D printers have been established. But, 3D printers can be categorized based on their construction, like enclosed 3D printers and printing technology. This write-up focuses on the benefits of 3D printing.
Advantages of 3D printing
The main reason why 3D printing is highly popular is because of the numerous benefits it has to offer. Below are some of these benefits;
1. Speedy production
When most people speak of the advantages of 3D printing, they start with how fast the process is. Compared to other conventional manufacturing techniques, 3D printing is quite fast. This includes methods like injection molding and subtractive production. From the formation of CAD to the production, the process is quite fast. This is one of the primary reasons why 3D printing is used in rapid prototyping. Since the process is fast, it gives manufacturers time to correct the prototype and develop a perfect product.
2. Accessibility
Another advantage of 3D printing is that it is highly accessible. While it may seem like a recent technology, the production method has existed for decades (since the 1980s). However, it took off in 2010. Since then, 3D printing has become very popular and quite accessible. Therefore, you do not have to jump through hoops to use the technology. You can incorporate the technology a few days into your production cycle.
3. Quality
3D printing also manufactures high-quality products. This is a significant advantage because one of the main issues with traditional manufacturing methods is producing poor-quality products. With 3D printing, you are guaranteed good quality. This is mainly because the process is automated and does not require much human input.
Whenever there is any human input in production, issues are bound to occur. The only thing that could negatively influence the production quality is a problem with the CAD model or the machine. 3D printing also allows for step-by-step material laying, ensuring that each design concept is achieved perfectly. 3D printed products are known for their durability, strength, and impeccable design.
4. Cost-efficiency
As mentioned before, 3D printing does not involve a lot of human labor. The only human role in 3D printing is creating the blueprint using CAD software and hitting print on the 3D printer. Therefore, when establishments use 3D printing, they do not incur a lot of labor costs. This, in turn, affects the overall cost of 3D printing. The cost of acquiring 3D printing machines is also not as expensive as conventional manufacturing devices.
Other advantages
Other advantages of 3D printing are:
- It offers unlimited shapes and geometries
- It can be used to implement assorted raw materials
- It allows for the application of creative designs and customization freedom
- It is highly applied for making tangible designs and product testing
- It ensures lesser wastage of raw materials during the production process
- The levels and quantities of risks are lower
Conclusion
Note that the advantages offered by 3D printers may differ from one type of machine to the next. However, the three basic advantages remain constant regardless of the type of machine and the form of 3D printing technology.
