3D printing or sometimes known as additive manufacture is currently the main focus of the manufacturing industry because of how it made people’s life way easier compared to traditional manufacturing.
While 3D printing won’t be able to replace traditional manufacturing as the only means of production, it can do some of what the latter can’t.
Everyone probably know how 3D printing works. Problem is, you might not actually be aware of what makes them special compared to traditional manufacturing.
So, what exactly are the advantages of 3D printing over traditional manufacturing? Here’s a list you might want to know if you ever get curious.
1. More Efficient
This is the first and probably the most obvious out of the advantages of 3D printing over traditional manufacturing that will be further discussed below.
When you hear the word “traditional”, what comes to mind?
Clearly things like old, manual, and other things like that. Exactly!
In traditional manufacturing, it may take days for the manufacturer to receive the prototype. This doesn’t count the time it’ll take for the processing. On the other hand, 3D printing only needs a few hours for the design and printing.
2. Prevention of Waste
Wastes have been the number one problem that causes environmental problem over the world. It has been said that industry is causing global warming with all its production and wastes.
Well in 3D printing, materials that passes through the printer extruder equals final product. In contrast with traditional manufacturing which has no choice but to leave materials behind.
It is not actually that hard to contribute in saving the planet is it?
3. Lowers Production Cost and Risk
Did you know? While traditional manufacturing requires lots of extra costs and risks, 3D printing solves it all.
For instance, your client orders 1000 pieces of footwear but unfortunately cancels half order due to circumstances. There’s nothing you can do because they refused to pay for the product they didn’t take which leads to major loss, not to mention all that work is down the drain. That is the case with traditional manufacturing.
Now things are and will be different if you use 3D printing. You will be guaranteed 0% loss. Why? Because orders can be printed on-demand.
Labor costs are also cut down for sure because a press on a button is all you need and everything goes automatic. No skilled technicians or machine operators needed.
3D printing ultimately lowers the materials wasted while also lowers costs of production.
See also: 10 Best 3D Printers for TPU
4. 3D Printing is Useful to Almost Every Industry
You may have encountered questions like “How are artificial organs made?” or “How to make synthetic bones for grafts?”
The answer to that is 3D printing.
See how 3D printing can even be useful in the medical industry? Doctors and medical experts use this technology to create artificial organs, bone grafts for medical practice.
5. Freedom of Design
The next advantage of 3D printing is the freedom of design. Like the name suggests, 3D printing ensures your freedom in designing regardless of how complex it may be.
Opposite to traditional manufacturing, there won’t be any constraints in the production. This is mainly because 3D printing constructs one layer at a time.
If you are someone creative with your design, 3D printing is definitely the choice. Let your creativity flow!
6. More Efficient Prototyping
This is one of the major differences between the two manufacturing processes.
Prototyping is the most important phase in a manufacturing process. In traditional manufacturing, molds are needed to create prototypes and this is very time and cost consuming.
This is where 3D printing comes in!
Prototypes can be printing with just a digital file which directly eliminates the problems faces by traditional manufacturing.
7. Getting Closer to End Customers
Last but not least, the huge and numerous machinery in traditional manufacturing make it impossible for their factory to be located locally.
In contrast, 3D printing devices can be deployed locally, somewhere closer to the user instead of factories that are located remotely.
This makes it more convenient for users if something were to happen to the product or if they need spare parts directly.
It is also advantageous for the manufacturers since they can further cut costs for supply chains and shipping costs.
Conclusion
Those are the 7 advantages of 3D printing over traditional manufacturing. Not only does it ensure more efficiency in terms of costs and time, it also allows freedom of design for designers and allows medical advancement, etc.
Hope this article helps in understanding more about 3D printing and its advantages.