As Additive Manufacturing (AM) technologies have advanced, the use of 3D printing has moved outside of the R&D arena and onto the production line. Hybridizing the performance traits of CNC machining and injection molding into AM has provided designers, engineers and manufacturers with limitless options. Some of the benefits include:
The cost per unit (CPU) depends primarily on material, along with build time, determined by the complexity of the geometry. In short, in some cases it’s cheaper to make an intricate design rather than a solid block of material in the same space. Less material, less cost.
Additive layering allows developers greater freedom in design. While traditional manufacturing techniques can dominate—and frequently limit—the product development process, AM is more free-form and poses very few restrictions.
In its early stages, additive manufacturing made headlines for its speed and efficiency to produce a single working model. Rapid prototyping has since evolved into a much larger scale, mass-producing products almost as quickly as their CNC machined counterparts.
Engineers and other professionals use a variety of materials for AM products. Common materials include metals, polymers and ceramics.
While the impact of AM speed, flexibility and scalability can be seen in every industry, 4 in particular have been transformed:
Fuel nozzles for a high-bypass turbofan jet engine for example highlight the possibilities of AM in aerospace. Use of 3D printing allowed engineers to design a fuel nozzle which is much lighter and more durable than previous iterations.
The highly individualized production process of AM makes it economically viable to use these 3D technologies for dental restorations, speeding up the production time without inflating the costs per part.
Since AM is nearly a no-waste process, many metallics are cost effective – especially for use in firearms. Multiple versions of a design can be 3D printed at once allowing version testing and/or customer production to be completed in just days reducing market launch time.
The use of AM in the orthopedic segment is expected to grow as the single largest segment of medical AM. Production of AM orthopedic implants such as knee replacements, spinal fusion devices and non-load bearing extremity fracture devices can be tailored to the patient, using biocompatible materials and incorporating osseointegration structures into the product design ultimately improving patient outcomes.
Unlike traditional, subtractive manufacturing processes such as machining and shearing, AM uses 3D printing technologies to create products layer by layer, adding material only where it is needed. 3D technology has morphed from a prototype luxury in the 80’s into a scaled production workhorse used in today’s diverse manufacturing mix.
While AM alone can complete construction, the components must be refined before use with processes such as support structure removal, deburring, and polishing. ISO Finishing is an expert in surface finishing and has worked with 3D printing techniques such as:
The ISO Finishing team designs, tests and refines a unique finishing process for every product regardless of production or material type. Documented and repeatable, these processes are executed with extreme precision and attention to detail to meet your final requirements.
The best way to show you first-hand how our finish can become your finish is to process your sample free of charge. Let us show you what we can do. LET’S GET IT FINISHED.
