Technologically speaking, 3D printers are among the most advanced and futuristic devices available today. As the access to this equipment is becoming easier and cheaper, there are various areas and sectors that are betting on this technology.
Next, we are going to mention a little about the areas that are getting the most out of 3D printers and present an overview of what to expect in the future of this equipment.
The benefits that lead companies to invest in 3D printing are diverse:
· Lower costs: The cost of 3D printing a part can be up to 3 or 4 times cheaper than buying the part itself from a 3D printing provider, in addition to being able to have the part faster and also saving possible costs of transport.
· Streamline the production process: Being able to have any piece at any time is almost a dream for most companies, without worrying about manufacturing deadlines, carriers, requests for orders, etc.
· Quality, precision, and versatility: With the emergence of new materials, with each passing day more and more objects can be produced using 3D printers. Such objects range from prosthetics and organs to jewelry. Versatility is what is not lacking when investing in this technology.
These are just some of the reasons why investing in a 3D printer is extremely advantageous for many companies. But, if your focus is not for business use, as a private user there are several ways to earn money with a 3D printer without needing to have a large company or astronomical investments.
The most promoting sectors of the market for 3d printing are:
· Engineering: Engineers are specific professionals who work in certain market sectors. However, no matter how specific your area of operation, 3D printing can greatly benefit your services, since you can print replacement parts for your products, mock-ups to show your projects to clients and even enable the creation of prototypes for presentations and samples.
One of the main uses of a 3D printer in this area is the printing of parts ready to be used in the production of certain elements such as electronic components, the printing of gears, fittings and parts to complement the operation of an existing product.
The engineerings that use 3D printing the most are electronic, automotive, mechatronics, civil, production, and automation engineering.
· Architecture: The possibility of printing models instantly to present to your clients is an interesting differential value for architecture professionals.
Contrary to what many professionals believe, it is not necessary to invest in an absurdly large and expensive 3D printer model for this purpose. You can choose a model with the best cost-effectiveness and manually make the final adjustments to the printed model.
· Medicine: The use of 3D printing in the medical area is still in its infancy, but it is undoubtedly a sector with a lot of potential for 3D printing.
For doctors, dentists or veterinarians, the possibility of printing custom-made prostheses in a short period of time to treat their patients is something highly desired in these and many other branches of medicine.
Plaster pieces made from shapes are becoming obsolete to give rise to pieces made of materials that are biocompatible with our body, minimally invasive with the human and animal body, and with very short manufacturing times.
· Arts and fashion: Artists and stylists are already making use of 3D printers to print their sculptures, jewelry, shoes, pieces of clothing, etc.
These professionals can also work with the post-printing of the piece, giving touch-ups and adjustments to adapt them to the requirements of their clients.
· Space research: NASA has experimented with sending 3D printers into space, primarily for their ability to replicate replacement parts for aircraft in space in record time.
Instead of making the parts here on Earth and sending them to the spacecraft in orbit, the idea is to send only the material needed to print the part in space using 3D printing.
There are many companies that have adopted 3d printing in their processes to complement or directly create their products with this technology, others, on the contrary, are betting on this technology by creating their own models based on their needs. We will include some global companies that use this technology:
General Electric:
He invested heavily in 3D printing in his quest to produce more than 85,000 fuel injectors for his new Leap jet engines. The printers can make the nozzles from a single piece of metal, resulting in a much stronger and lighter product than those made in the traditional manufacturing plant.
Boeing:
The airline was one of the pioneers in adopting 3D printing technology, having made more than 20,000 parts to date for 10 different aircraft, both military and commercial. The Dreamlines 787 features 30 3D printed parts, including air ducts and hinges, which is an industry record. The company even managed to print an entire airplane cabin, using Stratasys 3D printers.
Airbus:
This year the Airbus group found a great ally in 3D printing, it began to produce prototypes and serial components for its test, military and commercial aircraft.
These technologies helped to optimize manufacturing times, lower costs and opened up the possibility of making lighter parts.
Ford:
The auto company has been harnessing 3D printing technology since the 1980s. It recently printed its 500,000th part, a hood for the new Ford Mustang. According to Ford on its corporate website, through 3D printing, it is possible to carry out processes that would traditionally cost $500,000 and last 4 months, in 4 days and at a cost of $3,000.
Local Motors:
American company this officially launched LM3D Swin, the first 3D printed car to be marketed, and that is also fully electric.
Also this year he patented the printing process called "Big Area Additive Manufacturing" capable of designing in less than 48 hours an engine that combines materials such as ABS and carbon, a technique that will be used in the next Renault Twizzy.
Nike:
Mark Parker, CEO of Nike, has stated that 3D printing has been a great boost for the company. In fact, the company registered a growth of 13% in the last quarter. Nike 3D printed the cleats of the 2014 Super Bowl players' boots in the Nike Vapor Laser Talon and Vapor Carbon Elite models. In addition, it plans to further extend this manufacturing method by using 3D printing in future products.
New Balance:
This sports shoe company, like some others, began its foray into 3D technologies, the difference is that this brand is betting on the commercialization of the shoes, something that many others have not yet considered.
With the collaboration of 3D Systems on this occasion, it has developed DuraForm Flex TPU, a midsole created with laser sintering of a thermoplastic elastomer material. With this engineering plastic, the company has managed to obtain a product that combines strength and flexibility within a running shoe.
American Pearl:
Being able to choose your jewelry just the way you want it. That is the innovative proposal that the American Pearl jewelry company makes to its customers: create a unique piece of jewelry by choosing metal, precious stones, or even diamonds online, which will then be printed in 3D.
DIY Rockets:
The space company last year launched a campaign to reduce the cost of space research. To do this, it launched a contest in which the participants would develop engines for a rocket using 3D printing. The only requirement was that the designs had to be open source. The winner of the best rocket engine, awarded $5,000, submitted a design carried out with the help of Shapeways.
Hasbro:
It recently announced a collaboration agreement with 3D Systems, with the aim of applying 3D printing technology to the manufacture of children's toys. Hasbro has a number of franchises that could benefit from 3D printing, including My Little Pony, Playskool, and Sesame Street.
Hershey's:
3D Systems has also collaborated with Hershey's to build a printer for creating edible products such as chocolate. They assure that the ability of 3D printing to create edible products is nothing new, proof of this is Sugar Lab, where the leading 3D printing company has printed ice and other sweets.
MakieLab:
With MakieLab, customers can create their own thermoplastic doll, choosing all its features: face, eyes, jaw, smile, hair, etc. This personalized attention implies a contribution to the environment since with this production less waste is generated.
Matter.io:
The team of engineers from MIT and Cornell created a company that is trying to capitalize on the vast world of 3D printing designs on the web. Through their platform, users can upload, download, and customize their designs before sending them to Shapeways for printing, or printing them at home.
Toshiba:
Through the subsidiary Toshiba Machine, the Japanese brand formalized its entry into 3D printing technologies with the manufacture of an additive metal machine that is capable of reaching printing speeds 10 times faster than the rest of those that exist in the market.
This first Toshiba prototype is based on laser metal deposition (DML) technology, it consists of a laser that solidifies the metal powder deposited in a nozzle which achieves a manufacturing speed of 110 cm³ per hour with a power of 800W.
Michelin:
This company from the automotive sector merged with Five, a world leader in the design and distribution of industrial machinery, creating a joint venture called Fives Michelin Additive Solutions that will have the purpose of marketing specialized industrial 3D printers.
These industrial printers will have powerful applications in sectors such as medicine or aeronautics. The main objective of this merger is to position itself as a global leader in the area of industrial solutions with an initial investment of 25 million euros in the first 3 years.
waps:
Italian company that created this year the largest printer in the world called Big Delta, which was born as a result of the company's interest in a "maker economy" the philosophy of producing what is needed and sharing this knowledge with the rest of society.
Their giant printer is 12 meters tall and is capable of printing houses, something they seek to be of great help to underdeveloped countries.
Thales:
This important French group announced the creation of a metal 3D printing plant in Casablanca, Morocco.
It has not been specified what type of technology it will use, but it is believed that it will be the fusion of sintered powder to create metal alloy parts. Which will reduce the time of development and manufacturing of high-value parts for aeronautical parts.
· Manzana:
One of the big news of the year was the publication of a news item showing that Apple bought a patent for a color 3D printer.
This patent is based on the registration of a printer with an additive manufacturing process of the object, in which more than one print head is contemplated, one to insert the material and another to apply the color. What the patent indicates is that both heads will be located on the support bar.
These companies in particular have 3d printing as their main branch, which they are developing by creating new models of printers for the market, among which are:
3D Systems:
He has been cited as the pioneer of the 3D printing industry. The company started in 1983 with the goal of offering 3D products and services.
You name it and the company provides it to you. From 3D printers to materials, 3D digital design tools, and 3D printer parts, the company has everything you could possibly need.
Chuck Hull, who is the inventor of stereolithography, is the man behind the creation of the company. He is co-founder and CTO of 3D Systems.
The company makes 3D printers. However, it is also committed to ensuring smoother supply chain management for manufacturing companies.
Therefore, it also involves the supply of printing materials, as well as computer numerical control machining, abbreviated as CNC.
The company offers products and services to various sectors. Businesses include manufacturers, designers, health care, and other things. 3D Systems is one of the oldest in its league and is very reliable.
Proto Labs:
The company was established in 1999, and based in Minnesota. Speaking of their accolades, Proto Labs focuses on rapid prototyping.
It makes use of three 3D printing processes: stereolithography (SLA), selective laser sintering (SLS), and direct metal laser sintering (DMLS). Not only that, the company also prints plastic models with its carbon 3D DLS printing methods.
Currently, there are eight company manufacturing locations located on three continents. Being the fastest growing company and claiming to be the trusted prototype maker using 3D printing, Proto Labs is a great investment choice.
The company progresses continuously. From prototyping to small-scale production, Proto Labs has proven itself worthy of attention. As recently as 2018, it further expanded to make room for more machines with the launch of a new facility in Minnesota.
HP· :
HP has always tried to tap into technologies that have huge potential. So his commitment to exploring 3D printing solution opportunities came as no surprise.
In 2017, he came up with the idea of helping companies that want to develop future materials and 3D printing applications by opening a lab. According to CEO Dio Wiesler's notions, HP is also trying to verify the facets of 3D printing metal objects.
Stratasys:
The older the company, the more reliable it seems. So, here is one more on the list that is old and reliable. Stratasys was founded in 1988.
The company's applications are primarily in the healthcare, automotive, aerospace and education sectors. In addition, the company holds more than 600 granted or pending patents related to additive manufacturing.
There are many subsidiaries of the company that are working with equally popular reputations, such as MakerBot, RedEye on Demand, GrabCAD, and Solid Concepts.
The company has been able to obtain patents for FDM, PolyJet and WDM 3D printing technologies.
Voxeljet:
It offers manufacturing services using 3D printing technologies to industries such as aerospace, reverse engineering, automotive, architecture, film, and museums.
Voxeljet has successfully done many jobs through its unrivaled 3D printing solutions. It ranges from large format production to the chemical 3D printing process.
As of now, the company is in the news for its new development VJET X.
The company's revenue growth over the past decade has increased by 24 percent and is on track to show similar patterns of success in the future as well.
Materialise:
It has been around for almost 25 years and has a lot of control over the 3D printing market. It is involved in providing 3D printing software solutions and services to its customers.
Based in Belgium, the company is primarily focused on creating competitive software and services to make a big difference in the way 3D printing works.
In its lifetime, it has been able to accumulate 95 patents so far. There are still 165 patents pending in the name of the company.
The company has been able to serve as a partner to big giants including HP when it came up with Jet Fusion 3D 4200 technology.
Nano dimension:
It was founded in 1966 and is headquartered in Israel. After entering the 3D printing industry, he left no stone unturned for it to be a huge success.
It is unique in its offerings and focuses on electronic 3D printing along with nanotechnology-based ink products.
You must have heard of DragonFly 3D printer 2020. The printer is capable of printing very high resolution circuit boards in a matter of time.
The other applications of Nano Dimension technologies include molded antennas, sensors, magnets and interconnected devices.
Solutions Group SLM:
It is located in Germany. The company is engaged in industrial design and rapid manufacturing. It also manufactures and distributes SLM systems.
Until now, the company has been able to help many industries around the world through its 3D printing services.
Whether it is automotive, aviation or aeronautics, the company's work has been widely open. It also caters to niches such as tools, dentistry, medicine, research, and education.
ExOne's:
Founded in 2005, ExOne's excels in its business offerings. It is dedicated to creating and selling 3D printing machines as well as other 3D printing products to its customers.
The company relies on its patented Binder Jetting technology to provide services to its clients. The technology was developed at MIT.
The technology can help create complex parts with industrial-grade materials. The company is very progressive and is one of the best options for 3D printing companies to invest in.
Organovo:
It uses its 3D bioprinting technology to provide various medical applications. It helps researchers with three-dimensional functional human tissues printed with its amazing 3D printing technology.
These 3D printed fabrics are very revolutionary and can be implanted in the human body.
The company is investing heavily in researching and creating more viable medical applications. It has partnered with medical centers to research and design in vitro tissues for disease modeling and toxicology.
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