3D printing has revolutionized the manufacturing industry, and 3D printing has become an increasingly popular option for businesses looking to create unique, one-of-a-kind products.
What is 3D Printing?
3D printing is a process of creating a physical object from a digital model. It involves laying down successive layers of material, such as plastic or metal until the final object is formed. What even is 3D printing explains the many steps required to start developing products using a 3D printer.
Why use 3D Printing?
The benefits of 3D printing are numerous and include cost-effectiveness, speed, and the ability to bring ideas to life quickly. In this blog post, we'll explore the advantages of 3D printing and local manufacturing, including the benefits of print-on-demand and the advantages of using a local 3D printing shop.
Advantages of 3D Printing?
3D printing offers several advantages over traditional manufacturing methods:
- Cost Effectiveness
- Adaptability
- Faster time to market
- Local manufacturing advantage
- On-demand printing
Below we explain how small and medium-sized businesses can use these advantages to gain a competitive advantage.
Cost Effectiveness of 3D Printing
One of the key advantages of 3D printing is its cost-effectiveness. Compared to traditional manufacturing methods, 3D printing is more cost-effective for low to medium-volume projects because of the print-on-demand capability which makes the process much more adaptable if changes to your project are required. Cost advantages are touched on more throughout the rest of the blog post.
Adaptability of 3D Printing
Why is 3D printing more adaptable? Because unlike traditional manufacturing methods, which typically require large upfront investments in tooling and equipment, 3D printing allows businesses to test new ideas with smaller orders, giving them the freedom to make design changes on the fly vs potentially having to spend all of the upfront costs again if the original idea fails. Capable of quickly printing updated models, this allows for fast iterations and customization, making 3D printing an ideal solution for a wide range of applications, including product development, prototyping, and manufacturing.
One study found that 3D printing can reduce the cost of manufacturing by up to 90%, compared to traditional manufacturing methods such as injection molding.
Recently, a custom order was completed by Gamer Gadgetry for a client who had intended on manufacturing their new product using injection molding, but due to the complexity of the design, this method was not possible. The client then contacted Gamer Gadgetry and after discussing the idea, they discovered that by using the local 3D printing shop to produce their new product, they would be able to maintain a 50% profit margin on the final product, without incurring the initial expenses of creating a mold.
Traditional manufacturing methods require expensive tooling, such as molds and dies. With 3D printing, there is no need for tooling, which can save a significant amount of money.
Faster time to market
With 3D printing, the time it takes to go from concept to finished product can be shortened significantly compared to traditional manufacturing methods. 3D printing is especially advantageous during the product development process, as it allows for rapid prototyping and testing of new designs. With 3D printing, businesses can quickly iterate on their designs and bring new products to market faster. This can save costs associated with inventory, as businesses can produce products on demand, and avoid the need for large stockpiles of inventory.
Local Manufacturing Advantage
Local manufacturing using 3D printing offers a number of benefits, from increased responsiveness and quality control to greater flexibility for local small businesses. One of the main advantages is the ability to respond quickly to changes, which can help to increase efficiency and reduce costs which can be very important for smaller local businesses. Lastly, local manufacturing also allows for better quality control, as it is easier to monitor the printing process to ensure that products meet the defined standards. Greater flexibility in terms of production runs and delivery times can also be advantageous for small businesses that need to move and adapt quickly.
On-demand Printing
3D printing on demand is beneficial because it eliminates the need for a large inventory and offers more flexibility with your business. With print-on-demand, there is very little risk of overstocking products, and it allows smaller businesses and individuals to offer a wider range of products without incurring the risk of high upfront costs.
Summary
In conclusion, 3D printing and local manufacturing offer a variety of benefits to businesses, including cost-effectiveness, speed, and the ability to create unique, one-of-a-kind products. With print-on-demand capabilities, businesses can create products as needed. Additionally, local 3D manufacturing is much faster and more reliable than offshore manufacturing, which means that small businesses can get their products quickly and with minimal risk and lead times. Overall, 3D printing is a versatile and efficient manufacturing solution that can help businesses create the products they need to succeed and scale, fast.
At our 3D printing shop in Kelowna, BC, we are committed to providing high-quality 3D printers and services to customers in Canada and internationally. We specialize in providing cost-effective printing solutions for low to medium-volume projects and offer a variety of services including rapid prototyping, custom molds, custom parts, and more.
Get a free quote or book a consultation with our team today to find out more!