Advantages and disadvantages of this process
Additive manufacturing is a relatively new concept covering the various production processes used to make solid, three-dimensional objects from pre-established digital designs. It includes, for example, 3D printers, which are increasingly in demand.
Additive manufacturing is based on rapid prototyping, that is, building up a material layer by layer. It can produce virtually any part in a specific material, whether plastic, metal, concrete or even edible materials. One advantage of 3D printing is its almost endless range of possibilities, which goes well beyond the limits that industrial manufacturing has faced until now.
Some experts even speak of a fourth industrial revolution that could benefit very different economic sectors. Although its market share is still small, the growth forecast is practically incalculable.
Possible applications of additive manufacturing include aerospace, defence and automotive components. It can also be used to produce parts for the medical sector and a variety of consumer goods, such as instruments or electronic devices. The freedom of design and production is very broad, and it is likely that in the future it will be applied to many more industries and sectors.
Below you will find the benefits of additive manufacturing, its advantages and disadvantages, as well as the different 3D manufacturing methods.
Benefits of additive manufacturing, the new industrial revolution
Additive manufacturing brings a series of production benefits. An industrial revolution only happens when a set of factors makes the production process much easier and, above all, cheaper.
In the case of 3D printing there are several, and they fit the economic, energy and environmental challenges of today's world. The following stand out:
Faster production
One of the most decisive factors in triggering an industrial revolution is the speed at which a product can be made. This has already been happening as factory production has become automated. Additive manufacturing goes a step further, as it can cut the time needed to obtain a product by up to 90%.
With faster production, the cost per part is lower. The materials used for 3D printing are also usually cheaper.
Lower costs
Additive manufacturing technologies digitalise the production process far more, which reduces logistics costs. Combined with faster product development, it is no longer necessary to hold large stocks of manufacturing materials. Demand for a specific part or product can also be met immediately. A company using this type of manufacturing no longer needs large storage areas, which means considerable cost savings.
Energy savings
The machines that carry out 3D manufacturing use less energy. The parts produced have less mass, so making them is simpler and cheaper in energy terms. 3D printers do not consume the energy that certain heavy industrial machines do.
Sustainability
One of the advantages of additive manufacturing is that its adoption supports the sustainable development the planet needs to fight climate change. Energy consumption falls, and so do transport costs, because the raw material takes up less space. In addition, some specific 3D manufacturing technologies allow the recycling and reuse of the raw materials, so the material is used to the full and the minimum of waste is generated.
Types of additive manufacturing
There are several types of additive manufacturing processes, which have been improving and innovating to deliver better production profitability as well as practical applications for different sectors.
One of the oldest is stereolithography, which uses liquid resins and beams of ultraviolet light.
Other technologies also exist, such as Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), which works from metal powders. First the powders are fused, then solidified again layer by layer to obtain the desired shape.
Lastly, there is injection moulding, more commonly known as DLMD.
It starts from a base material that is melted and another material in powder form, and the two end up being joined together.