Industrial 3D printing is making waves in the manufacturing sector. Also known as additive manufacturing (AM), this technology has transitioned from being solely used for rapid prototyping to creating various parts for end-use products.
Adoption of industrial 3D printing isn’t restricted to just one industry, either. AM usage has become widespread throughout the aerospace, automotive, defense, construction, and medical sectors, just to name some of the primary adopters.
Despite being a manufacturing technology, 3D printing is often dismissed by manufacturers. These companies either don’t see the potential of industrial 3D printing or have not taken the time to learn about the multifaceted capabilities of AM technologies. Industry shows like RAPID + TCT — North America’s largest additive manufacturing and industrial 3D-printing event —do a phenomenal job of highlighting AM’s role in manufacturing.
At these events, manufacturers not previously aware of the sizable impact of industrial 3D printing have a lot of opportunities to learn to use it to upgrade their business models and make their production processes more resilient.
Industrial 3D Printing Benefits
Manufacturers should view 3D printing as a tool that can help them improve operations and enhance products. Implementing industrial 3D printing within a manufacturing setting offers several advantages.
One of the biggest benefits of AM technologies is that they allow manufacturers to have more flexibility and control within production. This level of control enables manufacturers to be more self-reliant. With 3D printers, manufacturers can produce what they need in-house — whether that be changing prototypes and designs, fixing parts, or augmenting traditional production.
This in-house option may not be a permanent fix, but 3D printers do help manufacturers become less reliant on suppliers and a volatile supply chain. Additionally, AM provides a quick turnaround for product design changes, enabling shorter lead times and a faster time to market for products.
Another benefit of industrial 3D printing is reduced waste. The AM process uses only the exact amount of material needed to create a part, as opposed to subtractive manufacturing, which has a lot more material waste. This helps companies lower their material costs and implement more sustainable production processes.
Adoption of Industrial 3D Printing
With manufacturers realizing all the benefits of industrial 3D printing, the adoption of this technology is steadily growing. According to a report by Future Market Insights, the global industrial 3D-printing market is expected to be valued at almost $20 billion USD by 2033. This represents a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 21% between 2023 and 2033.
In the past, manufacturers have been slow to adopt AM due to some barriers to the technology — including high acquisition costs, concerns about part quality, and a lack of in-house 3D-printing expertise. But with 3D printing becoming more widespread among manufacturers, these concerns have been alleviated.
One reason for this growth is the high interest in 3D printing from younger workers and students. Though the manufacturing industry has struggled to recruit younger generations, 3D printing has drawn the attention of this group. To overcome the AM knowledge gap in their current workforce, manufacturers need to recruit workers who already have an interest and experience in this technology.
More research into 3D-printed parts and materials has helped to assuage concerns around part quality. Testing has shown these 3D-printed parts have the same material properties as conventionally manufactured parts. As more manufacturers qualify 3D-printed materials, the industry will become more open to adopting AM.
Finally, the cost barrier to acquire 3D-printing technology is starting to erode. Companies are working to make AM technologies more affordable for manufacturers, and new 3D-printing technologies — such as hybrid machines that combine additive and traditional manufacturing — help lower the cost of entry. Manufacturers are continuing to overcome these obstacles to adoption, spurring continuous growth of industrial 3D printing.
The Future of Industrial 3D Printing in Manufacturing
Industrial 3D printing is going to become much more common in manufacturing operations. With the current predicted CAGR of 21%, AM technologies will grow at staggering speeds throughout the manufacturing industry.
AM offers manufacturers more flexibility, design freedom, and control. As more manufacturers adopt 3D printing, this technology will help drive innovation in the industry and enable future manufacturing operations to be more resilient. The industry as a whole will be able to better adjust operations around unpredictable supply disruptions and changing production demand.
If you’re a manufacturer interested in learning more about how industrial 3D printing can improve your operations and in exploring AM technologies, attend RAPID + TCT: North America’s largest additive manufacturing and industrial 3D-printing event.