Emily Suzuki
The core technology of 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, has been around for many decades, with advances in technology fueling its growth. In the early years, few expected 3D printing to revolutionize any industry due to its high costs. However, as prices began to drop, the potential for 3D printing to transform the manufacturing industry emerged.
Before we dive in, it’s crucial to differentiate between the types of manufacturing we’re discussing. There is home manufacturing, done by hobbyists, backyard engineers, and makers, and large-scale production manufacturing, used by companies and industries. While 3D printing impacts both areas, the effects differ slightly.
3D printing for personal and small-scale manufacturing
In the realm of personal and small-scale manufacturing, 3D technologies have significantly changed the field. Engineers can rapidly prototype parts in hours at increasingly affordable prices. Smaller printers typically use plastic filament like ABS or PLA, which meets most small-scale manufacturing needs. These machines are efficient, easy to use, and accurate, although not particularly fast.
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Globally, 3D printing has infiltrated almost every workshop, provided they have the financial means to obtain a printer. Easily accessible desktop printers have paved the way for many startup businesses to thrive, as they offer more affordable prototype production versus sending a small batch order to a third-party manufacturer.
Today, startups can even experiment with somewhat lower-cost metal 3D printing, a technology that used to be out of reach for most. Startup watch brand Apiar, for example, 3D prints its watch cases using Laser Powder Bed Fusion from Grade 23 titanium powder, allowing it to push the boundaries of what’s possible for a budding watch business.
3D printing for large-scale engineering
In large-scale engineering, 3D printing plays an even greater role in the world economy. As costs for larger-scale 3D printers have dropped, many manufacturing companies have adopted various additive techniques to produce products. Traditional production techniques rely on subtractive processes that produce a lot of material waste, increasing production costs. In contrast, 3D printing is an additive process, using only the material needed for a part, which enhances efficiency and precision.
For 3D printing to be truly transformative in professional settings, it needs to be seamlessly integrated into wider design and manufacturing workflows so that teams can use the technology without disrupting their established processes.
Autodesk Fusion makes this integration effortless. With its comprehensive suite of design, engineering, and manufacturing tools, it enables teams to design, prototype, and manufacture with support for 3D printers at their fingertips. It supports various file formats and direct connections to 3D printers, streamlining the transition from digital models to physical prototypes. Fusion’s collaborative features also enable teams to work together in real time, ensuring that the entire workflow—from concept to production—is efficient and cohesive.
“Our workflow is greatly simplified by using Fusion. We can do everything from basic design to optimization and prototyping—including CAM, 3D printing, or milling—all within one tool. We don’t have to do multiple file transfers or file conversions that can lead to data loss. This process is the biggest benefit of using Fusion, and it greatly reduces our prototyping time and effort.”
—Nilesh Bajaj, CEO, Vayve Mobility
The future of 3D printing in the manufacturing industry
The manufacturing industry’s wider adoption of 3D printing is still underway. There are numerous examples of applied production, including 3D-printed cars, houses, and fasteners. There are even examples of companies taking things a step further by considering the possibility of 3D printing in space.
Copenhagen-based SAGA Space Architects, for example, is exploring the logistics of sending 3D printers up to space and using local materials for on-site construction. This method allows astronauts to print the necessary structures on the Moon or Mars, facilitating immediate habitation and eliminating the costly, laborious, and wasteful process of sending materials from Earth into space.
However, challenges such as cost, speed, and design capability remain hurdles to daily use at a large scale across all industries. Despite these obstacles, the potential for 3D printing to shift the manufacturing industry towards fully customizable practices is growing rapidly.