The rapidly developing technology known as additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, is having a significant impact on product development. 3D printing has the potential to speed up the product development process by allowing engineers to quickly and easily create physical prototypes. The mid-1980s saw the development of what is now known as 3D printing.
It was at that time that the term “3D printing” entered the mainstream, partly as a result of the emergence of “do-it-yourself” printers. Materials used in printing have evolved in tandem with this rise in popularity. Software used in the process of prototyping has also expanded in recent years, making it possible for 3D printing to be financially viable beyond just the hardware and materials. The modeling and rendering capabilities of CAD programs like SOLIDWORKS and Visualize continue to improve. Ergonomics studies, marketing presentations, and UX testing still require physical objects, despite the great new rendering packages. CNC machining and injection molding, two common methods of prototyping, can be time-consuming and costly. On the other hand, prototypes can be made using 3D printing in a fraction of the time and for a fraction of the cost. It is therefore ideal for rapid prototyping, which bridges the gap between time-consuming machining and realistic rendering.
3D printing is having a major impact on product development due to its numerous benefits. It is making it possible for engineers to create prototypes in a way that is faster, easier, and cheaper than ever before. As a result, new products can be launched more quickly and the product development process can be accelerated. A benefit of 3D printing is speed.
The speed of 3D printing is one of its biggest benefits. Because they don’t need tooling or molds, 3D printers can make things much faster than traditional manufacturing methods like CNC machining or injection molding. However, the speed of 3D printing can vary depending on the type of printer, the material used, and the object’s complexity. It’s important to remember that 3D printing doesn’t always happen immediately. Printing smaller objects will take less time than printing larger ones.
Although this method eliminates some use cases for the technology, building scale models of components or devices can sometimes overcome this limitation. The time it takes to prepare a part or design for printing goes beyond the time it takes to print. Some of the limitations of conventional manufacturing need not be taken into account because printing uses additive technology. When making a prototype using 3D printing, there is (mostly) no need to worry about getting time for a CNC machine, creating a mold for injection molding, or adjusting tolerances to match a supplier’s machinery.
It is frequently communicated as a net benefit to the “time to market” or a new product’s creation of prototype iterations in less time. Things can be completed in a day or two rather than waiting for a prototype turnaround time of three weeks. Additionally, this can be utilized to reduce downtime. Even though 3D printing isn’t a complete replacement for traditional manufacturing, it can be used as a temporary solution to produce a printed product while the traditional process continues. 3D Printing’s adaptability for product development Because of its adaptability, 3D printing can be used to create a wide range of products. In terms of the actual design as well as the costs and administration associated with product development, this flexibility benefits the process of product development. Some examples of these advantages include:
• Prototypes: New product prototypes are frequently made using 3D printing. Before committing to manufacturing the product, engineers are able to test, refine, and frequently even create their designs internally as a result of this. Eliminating an acquisition procedure will have positive effects that many engineers will be aware of. An annual budget to acquire a single printer that integrates with the software and workflow of a design department can eliminate countless hours of overhead that take away from the design process.
• Parts that work: Product functional parts can be made with 3D printing. This is often done for products that are too complicated or expensive to make using traditional methods or for low-volume production. Consequently, high part counts can be avoided and the supply chain for an assembled device can be shortened.
• Custom products: Because 3D printing is so adaptable, it can also be used to create products that wouldn’t otherwise be worth the cost of product development. For instance, small batches of products for niche markets or products that are only needed for a short time can be made using 3D printing. This is usually done for products that aren’t sold in stores or that need to be made to fit the needs of a specific customer. Design Process and Accuracy of 3D Printing The materials used and the type of printer determine how accurate 3D printers are. Industrial-grade 3D printers can produce objects with a high degree of accuracy, whereas hobby-grade printers can cause numerous tolerance issues.
For instance, the precision of some high-end printers is comparable to that of conventional manufacturing methods, with tolerances of +/- 0.1 mm. In some instances, 3D printers can even outperform conventional manufacturing methods in terms of accuracy. This is true for parts designed with optimized drag, weight distribution, or aesthetics in mind, as well as complex geometries that would be difficult or impossible to create using conventional methods. How to Get Started with Product Development Using 3D Printing The selection of a 3D printer is the first step.
There are many different kinds of 3D printers on the market, so it’s important to pick one that fits your needs. unless you want to operate a 3D printing machine yourself. The difficulties of maintaining a working printer are well-known to thousands of home DIYers. Even if your company does not have a printer, you can still enjoy nearly all of the advantages of printing. Should You Be 3D Printing More in Your Product Development Process?
Compared to traditional methods of prototyping, 3D printing offers a number of advantages, including speed, cost, accuracy, adaptability, and the acceleration of the product development process.
If you work in product development, it’s highly recommended that you find a few pilot projects where you could benefit from more iterations or improved speed. It’s easy to believe that you can start using 3D printing right away; however, just like with anything else, there will be a learning curve. You might miss this because you’re so excited to use a new technology. Although the term “printing” implies that you can simply press a button and a new part will appear, optimal use of 3D printing requires some knowledge. Nevertheless, despite these limitations, the answer to the question is “Yes.” It is highly likely that 3D printing should be utilized at some point in your development process. The advantages are too great to pass up, and learning is relatively easy to get started. ________________________________________
