The impact of 3D printing on production processes

When the 3D printer was born, we all believed that we were going to have one of these devices at home to print all kinds of objects in a matter of seconds: forks, glasses, toys... However, the development of this technology has taken another path: that of the industry. Thus, it is interesting to know what the impact of 3D printing has been in the industrial field and what it has served to improve production processes.

BUT WHAT IS 3D PRINTING FIRSTLY?

Let's start by defining 3D printing is and what its fields of application are today. This technology was born in the 80s of the 20th century. However, it was not until around the year 2000 that companies around the world began to work seriously with it.

The operation in broad strokes is very similar to that of 2D printing. The digital file must first be created and then uploaded to the printer via the computer for printing. The main differences lie in the materials used and the printing cycle.

Of course, instead of printing a certain photo or text, the digital file consists of a 3D model. Therefore, instead of ink, other materials are used in powder or liquid format.

EVOLUTION OF THE GLOBAL 3D PRINTING MARKET

Technology is advancing at a dizzying pace, and there are more and more types of printers and different materials. That is why 3D printing is being used in the industry as one of the main strategies to improve production processes.

It is convenient to analyze the evolution of the global 3D printing market between 2017 and 2021. In 2017, global spending on 3D printing materials, services, hardware and software exceeded 10 billion dollars. Recent studies show that this spending will grow by more than 20% year-on-year until 2021, when the figure exceeds 20 billion dollars.

It should be noted that between 2016 and 2017, the number of companies around the world dedicated to industrial 3D printing increased by 50%. About which are the applications with the greatest potential for the future, they are included in four large categories: prototypes and product parts, modeling for architecture, human tissues and dental prostheses.

IMPACT OF 3D PRINTING ON THE WORLD

There are a number of rising trends regarding the impact of 3D printing on the industry.

PRODUCT CUSTOMIZATION

One of the main improvements that 3D printing entails in the industrial field has to do with the personalization of products. One of the main keys to Marketing in the 21st Century is individualization, offering each customer a product that is precisely tailored to their needs and preferences. And this is precisely what this technology allows.

PRODUCTIVITY

Of course, 3D printers significantly increase the productivity of companies. In addition, different types of products can be easily prototyped, which is a significant improvement in design.

OUTPUT QUALITY

Many companies, instead of having an automation system to manufacture a product, can use 3D printers to save operating costs. In addition, in this way the final products do not have any type of error regarding their design because they can be corrected with the computer.

3D PRINTING IN INDUSTRY 4.0

3D printing is one of the leading emerging technologies of Industry 4.0 . The use and implementation of additive manufacturing, in combination with other technologies, is producing an evolution in the industry towards smart manufacturing where machines (autonomous, automatic and smart), systems and networks are capable of exchanging information and responding to information systems and production management. In addition, 3D printing plays a fundamental role as it is a technology capable of turning a 3D design into a product without intervention. At the same time, the need for expensive tools and fixtures is eliminated, reducing post- processing, material waste and human intervention. These are characteristics that define the industry of the future.

Thanks to 3D printing, factories have the ability to increase their flexibility, adapting to the needs of an increasingly demanding and unpredictable market. In addition, it allows the manufacture of all kinds of personalized objects without the need for expensive molds and manufacturing tools. Likewise, 3D printing is a great ally of the environment, a very important characteristic due to the current climate situation and the importance of having sustainable manufacturing processes with less resource consumption and waste generation.

3D printing has come very quickly to maturity according to the well-known Gartner curve. This curve represents the maturity, adoption and commercial application of a specific technology. At the highest peak are 3D printing of medical implants, 3D printing at points of sale and in supply chains. In addition, we also find 3D printing in classrooms within the educational sector and bioprinting for research in the medical field.

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