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Advantages Of 3D Printing

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TECHNOLOGY

Materials for 3D printing were very limited during the early days of the technology.
Today, there is a whole array of material types that are supplied in different forms (filament, powder, pellets, resin, granules etc).

The first step in 3D printing is to design the 3D digital model using a CAD program or scan the object with a 3D scanner. The model will then be ‘sliced’ into layers and converted into a printer-readable file. The printing material will be added one layer at a time. Different materials are suited for different 3D printing technologies. There is no ‘one solution fits all’ (The Potential of 3D Printing, Pg 4, METI Journal).

Some 3D printers process powdered materials which utilize a light source to fuse layers of the powder together in the defined shape. Others process …show more content…

Customers may bring their digital file or scan their objects at the shop to print out their desired products.

Factories: Assembly lines and supply chains are reduced. Factories have highly developed and specialized 3D printers. Spare parts are 3D printed on demand instead of being stock-piled. Broken goods can be repaired by simply printing the spoiled component.

The (Big Innovation Centre, 2012) highlights some of the advantages of 3D printing. One of the benefits of 3D printing is the ability to produce customized and personalized products. The appearance of a product can be suited according to customer preferences. Secondly, 3D printing reduces inventories. Retailers do not need to stockpile a large number of products.

Moreover, 3D printing reduces capital costs for manufacturers. As there is no need for an assembly line, the need for a large scale investment in factories and machinery is reduced. Lastly, 3D printing reduces transport costs, by removing the need for intermediate goods to be shipped from one factory to another.

FUTURE OF 3D

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