3d printing is playing a transforming role in the manufacturing industry. With higher flexibility and the ability to push traditional boundaries, engineers can realize their imagination in a better way. Be it automotive or core manufacturing assembly — this technology is changing the production line.
As this technology helps manufacturers reduce waste, save time, and innovate faster, more businesses integrate it with their conventional production line. From prototyping to mass manufacturing and quality control, additive manufacturing is easing complex manufacturing operations.
With the ongoing trend, several companies are offering dedicated 3d printing in Melbourne and other areas to help manufacturing companies in a 360° way. On this note, check out how this advancement changes the production line and what we can expect in the future.
3d printing prototype
The most significant advantage the manufacturing and automotive industry have is producing prototypes in a shorter turnaround time. Traditional processes require expensive tooling, materials, and equipment to create a single prototype. However, engineers can design, validate and print the same prototype within just a few days or even hours.
With this flexible approach, manufacturers can reduce the overall production delay by preparing the prototype
The image used for illustration purposes. Zeal 3D Printing is not the owner or creator of the image. (Image Source: Tom Claes on Unsplash)
faster. As the design feedback loop is shorter with additive manufacturing, companies can improvise and improve the product without conducting a comprehensive R&D process.
Earlier, prototyping was prone to error as engineers need to undergo a significant try & error method to improve the design and aesthetics. However, the material wastage and chances of design glitches are very thin. To ease the manufacturing, several companies now offer affordable 3d printing service in Brisbane and other cities to boost the industrial domain.
Custom tooling for production line
Tooling is an expensive and time-consuming process with a traditional manufacturing approach. However, 3D printing technology is streamlining it for the production line across multiple industries. Now, manufacturers can create custom tooling equipment for their production line to craft bespoke products in a shorter turnaround time.
3d printing can reduce the tooling expenditure by around 40% to 70% and offer higher-quality operations on the production line. Several automotive industries now use 3d printed tooling equipment to produce automotive prototypes and final products.
Custom 3d printed tooling is the future of the manufacturing, automobile, and construction industries. It will help business owners to lower down their maintenance cost and workforce. Even with limited resources, companies can run their production line with their maximum capacity with 3d printing. As the cost of producing tooling setups is lower than the conventional process, the scalability factor also improves.
3d printed parts
Another advantage companies enjoy while using additive manufacturing is a faster production process by integrating 3d printed parts in the production line. Companies are producing intricate geometrical sub-parts using a 3d printer and assemble them at the production line. By doing this, manufacturers can reduce the overall production line cycle with a minimum workforce.
The image used for illustration purposes. Zeal 3D Printing is not the owner or creator of the image. (Image Source: Tom Claes on Unsplash)
This implementation is more effective in a small-batch production line where the company needs to produce limited but high-quality products. Using rapid prototyping, manufacturers can finalize the design and start printing complex parts. After this, the ground workers only need to assemble those custom parts while working on the conventional production line.
With the growing availability of 3d printing services in Sydney, Melbourne, and other cities, manufacturers are coming forward to try out new improvements in their business. Be it prototyping or tweaking their assembly line, we will see more sophistication in the upcoming time.
Better consistency
Traditional assembly lines are efficient in producing mass products at a faster scale. However, companies struggle to maintain consistency while they experiment with new designs or custom concepts. As introducing the new design in the assembly line requires excessive tooling, 3d printing plays a winning role.
With additive manufacturing, companies can produce their new product prototype in a shorter time and maintain a good production pace with traditional processes. Here, 3d printing will act as a catalyst to ensure better consistency in conventional methods. As 3d printing solutions can maintain an excellent design repeatability rate, the quality remains consistent.
The image used for illustration purposes. Zeal 3D Printing is not the owner or creator of the image. (Image Source: Unsplash)
Several companies offering 3d printing service in Perth and other places are encouraging traditional businesses to opt for 3d printing. This advancement will not replace the conventional process, but it can improve the overall throughput of the company.
Cost optimization
The trends for adopting 3d printing in Australia and other countries is booming because of significant cost optimization. Regardless of the industry, companies can save substantial capital in the long term by using 3d printing services for their business. From product designing to prototyping and manufacturing, 3d printing helps companies to cut cost at every point.
With robust additive manufacturing, companies can operate and scale their assembly lines with greater ease. 3d printing lets businesses switch to a new production line in a faster way as compared to the traditional methods.
