ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING IS CHANGING THE PROTOTYPING TREND?
Additive manufacturing or 3D printing has revolutionized the manufacturing industry in recent years. It is an innovative technology that has made prototyping easy and affordable. The additive manufacturing process is the creation of a 3D object by adding layer-upon-layer of material, which is a departure from the traditional subtractive processes that involve the removal of material by cutting, milling, or drilling.
Prototyping is an important step in the manufacturing process. Its purpose is to develop a physical model of a product or component to test its functionality and appearance. The traditional prototyping process can take weeks, if not months, to complete, and can be quite expensive. Additionally, the iterative process of prototyping – wherein a design is developed, tested, and then refined – can be time-consuming and costly. This is where additive manufacturing for prototyping comes in.
Additive manufacturing for prototyping offers several advantages over traditional prototyping methods. It is fast, cost-effective, and allows for the creation of complex shapes and geometries that would be impossible to create using traditional methods. Here are some of the main benefits of additive manufacturing for prototyping:
1. Speed
Additive manufacturing is much faster than traditional prototyping methods. It eliminates the need for tooling and can produce parts in a matter of hours, as opposed to days or weeks. This enables rapid iteration and design testing, allowing manufacturers to identify issues and make improvements quickly.
2. Cost-Effective
Additive manufacturing can significantly reduce the cost of prototyping. The elimination of tooling costs and the ability to produce complex parts cost-effectively means that manufacturers can minimize prototyping costs while producing parts with greater accuracy.
3. Design Flexibility
One of the biggest advantages of additive manufacturing for prototyping is the design flexibility it offers. The technology allows for the creation of complex shapes and geometries, which would be difficult, if not impossible to produce using traditional methods. This means that designers can create more intricate designs and test them to see if they are feasible.
4. Quality
Additive manufacturing produces higher quality parts with greater precision and accuracy. It eliminates human error and produces parts with consistent quality. This improves product performance and reliability, which is essential for successful prototyping.
5. Sustainability
Traditional prototyping methods generate a considerable amount of waste as a result of the material removal process. Additive manufacturing, on the other hand, generates very little waste, making it a more sustainable option. This is particularly important in the manufacturing industry, where reducing waste is becoming an increasingly important priority.
In conclusion, additive manufacturing is a game-changer for the manufacturing industry, and particularly for prototyping. It has the potential to reduce prototyping costs, speed up the design process, and improve product quality. With the continued advancement of 3D printing technology, it is likely that additive manufacturing will become an increasingly important part of the design and manufacturing process. If you haven't already started exploring the benefits of additive manufacturing for prototyping, now is the time to begin.
STPL 3D’s Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) technology is often regarded as the best 3D printing technology for prototyping. This is because FDM is a relatively inexpensive and accessible 3D printing method that can quickly produce prototypes with a high level of accuracy and detail. STPL’s INDOMAKE series of FDM printers work by extruding melted plastic filament layer by layer to create a 3D object. This process allows for the creation of complex geometries and precise features, making it an ideal technology for prototyping. Additionally, FDM technology allows for the use of a wide range of materials, including thermoplastics and even carbon fibre-reinforced polymers, making it a versatile choice for prototyping in various industries, from product design to medical devices. Currently STPL 3D has 1 model INFD 600 and there are more sizes like 300 and 500 are under development which are supposed to launch soon.
