How can you use 3D printing in manufacturing to increase efficiency?

In my experience I have used 3D printing for CTQ measuring requirements. Be sure to watch for tooling wear which will reduce your fit dimensions over time. Use a 3D printed model for a machinist long use low wear solution.

It is important to divide 3DP or AM into a few well defined applications in specific industries. 1. 3DP as a disruptive technology (Harvard school of business - It must be easier, faster and cheaper) there are only a few applications that can be called disruptive: Dentistry, Carbon Fiber Moulds, Rocket Engines and a few others. 2. 3DP manufacturing something that cannot be made any other way. This is the area of most potential and includes customisation. 3. 3DP as a mockup or prototype which is the most common use.

There are more types of 3DP or AM and listing them here will be too long and complex. What is true is that you should be selecting the correct 3DP technology for your application.

The most important lesson to be learned about 3D printing is that it does not replace traditional technologies for the most part 3DP is a new method of manufacturing that can support designs that have not been possible to make using traditional methods.

The biggest challenge of 3DP is the availability of people who can design in 3D for 3DP. This is not as simple as adjusting what you know because it requires a lot more knowledge and understanding of the capability of 3DP. There is also the matter of the application, 3DP does not replace traditional it offers a new method of manufacturing, this new method means we need to design product that benefit from the this new capability.

A great source of best practices for all elements of 3D Printing is the utilisation of the Standards created in ISO TC261 / ASTM F42. Following these incorporates advice from some of the best 3D Printing minds available!

The best practice of the 3DP is to radically review the product you are making, look at how it can be improved and if, if it can be printed using 3DP that improves the product and it cannot be manufactured any other way. Example. Ear pods using 3DP can be designed in such a way to accurately channel the sound from multiple transducers giving a high fidelity sound not possible any other way. Rocket engines can be made with intricate internal channels to improve the performance and safety of the rocket, this cannot be achieved using traditional methods. Carbon fiber female molds can be printed directly using high temperature material that can be baked. Highly intricate shapes and curves can be achieved faster and cheaper than traditional