What really comes to our mind when we talk about manufacturing? It is usually the process of producing with the help of chemicals, labors, machines and variety of process and later put them for sale. Simply whatever we find around us is produced through manufacturing or we can say manufacturing is needed everywhere.
Since years manufacturing have gone through a lot of advancement with the help of additives that are proven to be its agility. 3D printing is one of those additives to manufacturing. 3D printing is the process of constructing a three-dimensional structure or objects. 3D printing is also known as Additive Manufacturing. It is a process that produces objects according to a 3D digital model by adding layers of materials like plastic and metals. HP Multi Jet Fusion is an example of a 3D printer
Let’s look at how 3D printing helps manufacturing. In today’s world manufacturing has become more complex as it stretches itself far. A specific or modern manufacturing process enables free flow of trade and competitive advantages but along with it carries the disadvantage of a decrease in agility. The problem of decreased agility is there since the very beginning but the problem got a bigger shape especially during this Covid-19 pandemic that has altered customer demand, ceased workforce and has disturbed the global supply chain.
The only thing that can help the situation is 3D printing or additive manufacturing driven by Artificial Intelligence (AI) insights. By adapting to digitalized manufacturing, 3D construction and printing manufacturing can deliver high efficiency, increase adaptability, reduces risk and cost.
Additive manufacturing doesn’t only involve 3D printers but it is process that can be applied strategically during any manufacturing risk. We cannot predict 3D printing as the sole solution to this agility problem but, yes this is a useful tool as it provides some advantages like ability to have similar economics and provide side-line at the point of need. Here are some ways to strategically use 3D printing in manufacturing:
- Digitalization of traditional manufacturing process: this is best strategy where the traditional manufacturing process will be digitalized with the help of 3D printing rather than replacing the traditional process with digitalization. Some of the applications where these can be used are in the manufacturing of tools, job aids, models, machine parts, molds, fixtures, jigs and molds. This process provides an advantage of easy mobility. If all the traditional process can be digitalized, then the agility of manufacturing operations will be increase and automatically reducing the risk of couples to geography.
- Dual Manufacturing: there are basically two manufacturing process and both needs designing and qualifying. In traditional manufacturing in a single setup one can produce a certain amount for example 50,000 pieces of molds but to produce 50,001 pieces a day will need additional and a new setup. Additive manufacturing helps in dual manufacturing with traditional method. This method is also applicable in conditions like early production, peak production and aftermarket.
- Additive: a business can decouple itself from geography as 3D printing forms additive to manufacturing. Few advantages of additive nature provide includes Global service bureaus, Flexible manufacturing capacity, New business models.
The process of converting traditional method to additive manufacturing might take time but organization planning to take the action will always earn reward. If they want to cope up with the competitors, then Additive manufacturing or 3D printing will sure do.