Cool Things to 3D Print
3D printing aka additive manufacturing has already been in function at many large companies. Mainly it is used in the manufacturing process and is aimed at replacing the company’s main existing prototyping methods. 3D printing is undoubtedly one of the fastest growing technologies that have already found its niche in the consumer market.
Benefits of 3D Printing
1. Cost-saving manufacturing
3D printing has already proved to be beneficial as it allows manufacturing cool 3d printing objects at a lower price than through some conventional methods. At such companies as Alessi and Converse, this technique has already saved up to 70% costs. Why is it so? In production of such things, the companies use less human resource, more reliable raw materials (that are also cheaper), and overseas shipping proves to be cheaper as well. Things to 3D print are expected to become even cheaper over the years as this technology will evolve even more.
2. Fast rate of production
Well, if to compare the speed of 3D printing to the conventional methods in simple words, it will be the same as comparing a sports car to some cart. Both of them can take you to the point of your destination, but the time will greatly differ. As a rule, traditional manufacturing methods take up a few days or even weeks to produce some specific products, whereas useful things to 3D print can be manufactured considerably faster. As a result, much finance can be saved with 3D printing implementation.
3. Fewer waste materials
Traditional manufacturing of materials provides waste products and surplus materials. For example, in aircraft production, up to 90% of material can be wasted because of cutting away. Therefore, 3D printing helps reduce waste of materials and use them in a more economical way. Very often, products made with the help of 3D printing are also lighter in weight. The new 3D printing technology is also an environmentally-friendly one due to the reduction in emissions and waste materials.
4. Production of better-quality products
3D printing prevents from numerous mass marketing faults when the things are manufactured without ample care and attention. 3D printing will ensure that the manufactured product has a longer life cycle and will not break as easily as a regularly made one. As a result, customers will be more satisfied with the quality of 3D printed things.
5. Accessibility of service
As the access to 3D printing is becoming easier, maybe in a few years many people will have a 3D printer at home and they will be able to produce things they need for themselves. It will be real fun to send fun things to 3D print: you need something – you immediately print it. Isn’t it great? It can tackle the consumerism culture and the endless industrial supply chain when customers are bombarded with numerous products they do not even need.
6. Sustainability
Fewer waste products lead not only to saving resources but also saving the environment. 3D printing evidently belongs to technologies that are beneficial for environment sustainability. Thanks to the multi-purpose function, a 3D printer does not need special machines for producing separate parts of some product. Besides, a 3 D printer can minimize transportation costs for manufactured things as actually it’s the 3D printer that can be transported to any place to produce some goods.
7. Creativity in production
With 3D printing, it has become possible to produce objects of extraordinary structure and shape. In the traditional manufacturing world, people rely only on existing shapes and structure of the products. However, with the era of 3D printing, designers and architects can fully rely on their imagination and creativity and use the opportunity to come up with brand-new designs of complex figures. The figures can range from aerodynamic parts to some body organs and jewelry.
8. Unusual combination of materials
High costs of production and danger of mixing some raw materials does not allow mass production create some new combinations of materials for the future products. With the help of 3D printing, these boundaries can be removed.
9. New business models
As soon as 3D printing began gaining popularity and entrepreneurs have seen that this business area will definitely be lucrative, they have become particularly interested in it. Over the last years, entrepreneurs have been investing in this field and have also become developing new business models.
