Are you considering using additive manufacturing (AM) or are you even planning to do so? We will share some tips to help you succeed.
Production of additives has become a key production method. According to a recent Jabil study, more than 55% companies use 3D printing technology to produce at least 25% from their functional or finite parts.
But how can you make the most of the technology and ensure that supplement production can be scaled?
Before we get into what AM companies need to consider during their production journey, let's first look at what makes AM attractive for production in the first place.
Why accept industrial 3D printing?
The growth of 3D printing technologies in various industries shows that companies, both small and large, can benefit from 3D printing in many ways.
Production on request
For companies that want to be more agile in accepting applications, the production of supplements offers a cost-effective solution. The technology can be used to make tooling and spare parts as needed, reducing the need to maintain excess inventory.
Innovation in design
In addition, for companies exploring new design approaches, 3D printing expands design possibilities. Complex geometries, such as lattice structures, can be 3D printed to create components that cannot be produced with other technologies.
Mass customization
In addition, 3D printing makes it possible to achieve mass customization. In traditional production, where mass production is standard, the cost of producing personalized products in small batches is prohibitive. 3D printing allows manufacturers to circumvent the high cost of tooling, thus producing custom parts faster and more cost-effectively.
Many companies remain hesitant
Despite the benefits, many companies are still hesitant to accept the production of supplements. This is especially true for small and medium-sized companies, where resources may be limited and the investment prospect is daunting.
Fortunately, starting the journey to additive manufacturing doesn't have to mean a big investment in technology or rediscovering your current business models right away. A successful AM journey begins with exploring the possibilities of AM and gradually moving to incorporating technology into existing processes.
Below we share 5 useful tips to help you succeed on the trip and ensure that your AM operations can be scaled.
1 Develop AM expertise on several fronts
Given all the challenges that companies face in implementing AM, it is useful to consider adopting AM on several fronts.
According to Stephen Taylor of 3DGBIRE, an AM and training service provider, companies require a range of skills to successfully use industrial 3D printing, including:
- Knowledge of AM technologies
- Computer Aided Design (CAD) Skills
- Additive Manufacturing Design (DfAM)
- Knowledge of materials
- Subsequent processing
- Reverse engineering
2 Identify applications that can benefit from AM
Do you have old parts that could benefit from a redesign? Or do you currently store low-demand parts that can instead be produced on demand? These are just two reasons to consider AM instead of traditional production methods.
BRC Automotive did just that. Working with an AM specialist, the automotive design company uses the production of additives to produce a personalized intake manifold for its VW VR6 12v engine.
These and other complex parts with a small volume are usually cast, which leads to high costs. In addition, designers have been able to incorporate design features that are not possible with other production methods.
As this case shows, researching your product portfolio is a key step in identifying your company's potential technology applications.
Other ways to use AM include manufacturing parts, which are usually produced in small volumes or components that require a high level of customization, which is not cost-effective in traditional manufacturing.
Of course, not all parts will benefit from the production of additives - so identifying potential applications is key. If your design is too expensive or otherwise too complicated to manufacture, AM may be the right choice. In contrast, when large volumes are needed, it is best to consider injection molding.
3 Create your own excellence center
Creating a Center of Excellence (CoE) is a great way to manage the adoption and integration of supplement production in your company.
CoE can be defined as a team created to support business goals and stimulate your company's expertise in a particular area - in this case a supplement. Your CoE will be key to finding the best uses and practices - and spreading them throughout your organization.
Deploying such a team will require input from key stakeholders, including production staff and engineers. The focus should be on encouraging new organizational thinking that will help to embrace the new production and business models offered by AM.
" We tend to forget that people are the key resource in AM, not equipment. Often, training is a component of success in AM . “ John Barnes, The Barnes Global Advisors
4 Partner with universities and research institutions
Establishing collaborative relationships with universities and research institutions is another way to promote the acceptance of AM within your organization.
There is mutual benefit from such a partnership. On the one hand, companies can gain greater access to cutting-edge research and scientific talent. On the other hand, universities can also receive financial support and research partners.
5 Focus on repeatability and minimize process complexity
Finally, when you start developing internal manufacturing capabilities for AM, another important thing to keep in mind is how you achieve repeatability.
Most AM technologies require a complete build-up to ensure that the part completes the printing process and can be further processed. As most AM users know, this is sometimes easier said than done.
Think big, start small, scale fast
Adopting any new technology can be daunting and not without risk. However, the long-term benefits of supplement production far outweigh the initial time and investment required.
As Brian Alexander of Solvay, a leading supplier of high-performance AM materials, summarizes, “if you are realistic about using AM as a viable manufacturing process, you need to combine material, printer / process and design to succeed, otherwise productivity, quality and the consistency of your part will be well below that of traditional production. “
These steps will help you gradually make your way to building your own experience in using modern supplement production.
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