Manufacturing can involve unit volumes in the hundreds of thousands, or even millions, which makes it difficult to move from the one-off prototype phase to high-volume production.
In the video above, we examine how 3D printing can be used for rapid prototyping and high mix, low volume production runs, and how the technology could one day be capable of more.
“We often encourage designers and engineers not to think of 3D printing as a direct replacement for traditional manufacturing, but to think of what new and different things it can do for them,” said Greg Thompson, global product manager for 3D printing at Proto Labs.
“3D printing has a unique and applicable role. Its often used right now in the early prototyping stage. Right now, it lives in the 50 to a 100 range today, but its going to move into the thousands to tens of thousands. But I don’t think 3D printing will ever totally supplant traditional manufacturing, I think it works along with it.”
With 3D printing, manufacturers can produce internal structures that would have been impossible to make using subtractive processes. With a growing pool of printable materials, industrial 3D printers give manufacturers the chance to experiment with various material possibilities for their designs.
“There are a lot of companies looking at how to get materials to perform closer to traditional engineering grade plastics and machine efficiencies to balance out the economics that have challenged 3D printing in the past,” explained Thompson. “We see promise of 3D printing being applicable for more parts and projects and at higher volumes.”
PolyJet 3D printing became popular because of its capability to print two or more materials at the same time, enabling the creation of prototypes with ready-made overmolded parts. Proto Labs has been using this technology to add even more speed to prototyping and production by eliminating costly two-part molding processes.
For more information, watch the video above and visit the Proto Labs website.