The Benefits of 3D Printing for Businesses
The There You Have It 3D revolution brings with it a number of benefits that impact businesses across industries. These range from cost savings and improved customer offerings to more sustainable production practices through on-demand printing and virtual inventories. Transforming Ideas into Reality: Our 3D Printing, Scanning, and Fabrication Service In its simplest form, the process involves converting an object into a series of two-dimensional slices using computer-aided design, or CAD, programs. These slices are then translated into instructions for the printer, which solidifies layers of starting material one at a time to build up the product. The process can be used to create a variety of materials from plastics to metals. It is also more precise than traditional subtractive manufacturing processes, which often result in high levels of waste material. Engineers are able to create prototypes faster and cheaper with 3D printing, saving months of research and development time. It is easier to integrate individual customizations into the production line as well, fostering a culture of innovation and personalization that has been impossible with older methods. Products printed through 3D technology can incorporate internal structures such as honeycombs and lattices, which retain strength while shedding weight, making them more energy efficient. This feature is especially important in sectors such as aerospace, automotive and consumer goods. A famous example is the GE Aviation LEAP engine, which features 3D-printed cobalt-chrome fuel nozzles that are 25 percent lighter and five times stronger than those traditionally manufactured. These optimized structures are impossible or very expensive to create through traditional machining processes.