How to get the most out of your 3D printing investment

According to Made Smarter, additive manufacturing (AM) benefits include “greater design freedom, lessened time to market or production, on-demand manufacturing, reduced inventory holding, and cuts to waste and costs of production”. For manufacturers that are integrating their first system into production and want to reap the benefits, there are many ways to ensure effective set-up and improve additive production efficiency.

01/08/2024 11:17:27

Here, Robert Pitts, Sales Manager of Tri-Tech 3D, explores what these are.

For manufacturers that are fairly new to additive technology, especially sectors that are heavily reliant on machining and injection moulding, like oil and gas, it can be tempting to think of 3D printing as a one-size-fits-all solution. As a result, there can be an expectation that AM will be a like-for-like solution that delivers instant productivity benefits.

While 3D printing can produce parts faster, using fewer tools, space and workload than traditional methods, productivity and return on investment (ROI) will depend on how users apply this technology.

Laying the groundwork
Before installing an AM system, manufacturers must plan ahead to ensure that the machine will run at optimal performance.

Read the full article in DPA's August 2024 issue