Are you a commercial manufacturer researching more about 3D commercial printing? Or, are you familiar with the technology, but interested in finding the right commercial 3D print partner? At RapidMade, we’re proud to be the commercial 3D print partner for hundreds of businesses nationwide. Regardless of where you are in the process, here are several questions surrounding the topic of commercial 3D printing that we’re frequently asked.
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The Basics: What Is 3D Printing?
3D printing is a process used to construct physical three-dimensional objects from a digital model. First introduced in the late 1980s, 3D printing technology drives product innovation, accelerates the product development cycle, and decreases manufacturing costs.
You may have heard the term additive manufacturing being used synonymously or with 3D printing. Additive manufacturing involves the process of joining materials to make models from 3D model data. As opposed to subtractive methodologies (removing pieces during manufacturing), additive manufacturing creates in a layer upon layer or additive process.
Which Materials Cannot Be Used for 3D Printing?
Theoretically, under the right conditions, virtually any material can be utilized in the 3D printing process. The most common materials used in commercial 3D printing include plastic, nylon, resins, metal, and polycarbonate materials. Our most popular 3D printed plastics include Nylon PA-12 for general purpose jobs, ABS for highest accuracy projects, and PMMA for large format printing.
Is the Quality of 3D Printed Products as Good as Those Manufactured Traditionally?
The answer to this depends on several factors, such as the type of product being printed. For example, a 3D printed kitchen knife likely won’t possess the same sharpness or edge as one authentically forged from steel. However, 3D commercial printing has opened the doorway for certain products, such as jet engine components, to be greatly improved because they aren’t confined by the limitations of traditional manufacturing.
Jet engine components are just one example of how 3D printing can be utilized for intricate inner channeling, which lends to a more fuel-efficient engine. This wouldn’t be possible through traditional methods of CNC milling. On an economic level, 3D commercial printing provides a cost-effective, resourceful, and highly efficient alternative that will likely surpass conventional processes in the future.
What Are the Benefits of 3D Printing Compared to Injection Molding?
Compared to injection molding, 3D printing provides significant cost advantages. For example, the injection molding process requires the formation of a mold, which can be delicate and costly. Additionally, a myriad of geometric shapes can be produced via 3D means, yet cannot be manufactured using injection molding. The type of manufacturing needed (3D printing vs injection molding) often is based on the volume required for the project.
What Is 3D Printing Good For?
On the commercial side of things, 3D printing has proven to be a valuable resource for a multitude of industries. From the automotive space to the healthcare landscape, 3D printing has served as a means for bringing products to market quicker and accomplishing things that were never before possible – like custom-built prosthetics and 3D printed human tissue.
3D printing is cost-effective for lower volume projects, is a quicker manufacturing process with turntimes in the days or weeks vs months, and allows for a lower volume of inventory. When it comes to the capabilities of 3D commercial printing – the applications, processes, and materials – industries across the gamut now have access to the technology needed to produce more cutting-edge, timely products. For a more comprehensive look at 3D printing, check out our guidebook here.
