Remember the hype around 3D printing? Sort of, because it’s been a while. It turns out it has a new name, additive manufacturing.
Some large manufacturers use it, such as Boeing and Airbus. What happened to bring it back to life? First, it’s greener than run of the mill, been around for centuries manufacturing.
Second, mixed material printing became available along with double the number of usable materials. Third, customer demand for personalization fits this technology to a tee. Personalization in the healthcare industry drives their adoption of additive manufacturing, especially in medical devices.
The trend is worldwide, with China investing in additive manufacturing along with Europe and the USA. Large automotive companies such as Ford and BMW use this technology. The fashion and food industry are dabbling with fantastic results. How about printing your pizza?
How can additive manufacturing help your business? First, you can quickly make prototypes within hours, considerably speeding up time to the final design. You can reduce assembly time by decreasing the number of parts in complex products, thus reducing assembly complications. Cutting down on small pieces simplifies the supply chain and repair costs. A shorter supply chain means a shorter time to market.
Products constructed using additive manufacturing consistently prove superior in function and durability. Mostly due to the process removing errors and parts. This type of production speeds up the time to market for any product, a boost any business can use.
Author: Kris Keppeler, a writer who finds technology fascinating and loves humor. She writes for Crossing Genres on Medium.com and Does This Happen to You? on Channillo. Award-winning podcast producer who enjoys telling stories. Follow her @KrisKKAria on Twitter or on LinkedIn.
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