One of the most talked-about changes in manufacturing has been called additive manufacturing. It’s best known as 3D printing, which has truly changed how businesses receive certain types of goods.
We wanted to share some information about 3D printing, including how it works and how it may make sense for you to use it as part of the products you want to be manufactured.
What to know about AM
Additive manufacturing, or AM, is defined by MIT as creating an object one layer at a time. When you use 3D printing, each successive layer you use to create an object bonds to the other layer right before it.
This is accomplished through computer-aided design, or CAD, a type of software that can create special files requiring a machine to “slice” the object into these layers to create a 3D object.
An AM machine uses CAD-based instructions to automate manufacturing according to specifications. Often, a laser or electron beam is used for the melting process that helps the fusion take place. Resin-based methods can also be used with digital light projection or engineering-grade materials, depending on what is needed specifically for each object created.
Why AM may be best for you
According to the story on MIT’s news website, many steps in the manufacturing supply chain are removed thanks to 3D printing. This means that products can be brought to market faster. It’s also possible to make smaller amounts of a product instead of large mass-production setups, depending on the company’s needs.
This ultimately saves a company in costs and planning time. 3D printing also means combining different materials more readily within a single object. Each layer can have properties that function differently from each other if that is what the need dictates. It’s especially a concern if the object needs to be lightweight to function at its best – this can be made easier through this layered technique.
Diverse ways to manufacture what you need
Additive manufacturing is just one type of service that we can provide businesses. From different types of molding work to gas assist/structural foam, we can find the right process for what you want to create. Our consultants are longtime experts with the knowledge to find the best material creation at the best cost for you.
To learn more about our business and what we can do to help, go to our website or call us at 508-878-8280.
