3D printing is very good at prototyping, and can produce product prototypes that can be used in high-volume manufacturing in a relatively short period of time. Usually such high-volume production will use traditional production methods to replicate 3D printed product prototypes. At the same time, 3D printing is also very suitable for building tooling and fixtures suitable for high-speed mass manufacturing.
Can 3D printing become a wise choice for end product manufacturing and production?
With the increasing sophistication of equipment technology, 3D printing is now also suitable for small batch production. Generally speaking, companies are less likely to use 3D printing and additive manufacturing for large-scale and high-volume manufacturing. When we need to produce parts in high volumes, CNC machining, metal forming equipment, blow molds and injection molds are usually the first priority. But now many companies also have the need to produce certain parts in small batches. For example, a luxury or custom automaker may need to produce a small number of aftermarket parts as spares. Demand for these aftermarket parts is often low enough that it is not practical to invest in a full-scale production line for high-volume manufacturing. At this time, additive manufacturing can make its debut and play its advantages, and it can be effectively applied to small batch production.
Let's take a look at the top 5 advantages of using additive manufacturing in low-volume production:
Save material cost
When you use additive manufacturing to produce parts in small batches, in most cases they can be produced on-demand as the order is received, so supply and demand can be properly matched. If you need to produce a batch of parts as inventory, but the demand is not high, the material cost of using 3D printing will be significantly lower than using traditional metal materials. Therefore, if some necessary parts need to be manufactured in small batches, additive manufacturing is undoubtedly a more streamlined production method.
By reducing excess inventory, the company's production costs can be reduced. Not only that, but even more material costs can be saved by using additive manufacturing. When demand is low and not constant, additive manufacturing can produce finished goods in order quantities with high efficiency.
Optimize the product launch process
Using additive manufacturing can effectively reduce the overall time-to-market of a product since the design is easier to adjust.
In traditional high-volume production, multiple trials of a design are often required before the final tooling for mass production can be honed. During this process, designers need to repeatedly change the design to meet the manufacturing needs of larger batches, which is a very time-consuming and laborious work. In small batch production, additive manufacturing can effectively shorten the design and production time, and the overall production cost is reduced.
Reduce tool creation time
In low-volume production, additive manufacturing can be applied to many types of tool creation.Tool production using traditional manufacturing processes can be a headache, and it is often costly and time consuming to source or create tools for low-volume, full-scale production. With additive manufacturing, it is possible to significantly reduce manufacturing costs by choosing the right 3D printing equipment to create the tool.
Speed up design iterations
When we think of high-volume production through traditional manufacturing processes, we often think of tedious, time-consuming design iterations. Designers need to try different designs repeatedly before finally arriving at a design suitable for mass production.This is not the case with 3D printing for small batch production. Because of the high efficiency of production trial and error, the design can be adjusted and verified more quickly. In some cases, it is also possible to achieve one-shot shaping without iteration.Designers can focus on other priorities, shorten time-to-market, cut costs, and fulfill orders faster.
Lower overall production costs
If your business has purchased mature 3D printing equipment, it can be produced directly in-house. But you can also choose to outsource when necessary. Enterprises can choose production methods with higher efficiency and lower cost according to economic benefits.
In summary, the use of additive manufacturing for low-volume production has the following advantages:
Excellent time efficiency: It usually takes only a few days, as opposed to months with CNC or other traditional manufacturing equipment;
Low material cost:Use only what is needed;
Iterations are fast:Effectively shorten the overall design iteration and product delivery process;
High degree of freedom:You can flexibly choose independent production or outsourcing according to your needs.
In other words, for small batch production, 3D printing can be described as fast and economical, which is undoubtedly a wise choice.
