Scope of Additive Manufacturing in Industrial Applications-2021
Additive manufacturing has revolutionized the industrial and manufacturing sector due to its speed, efficiency, and accurate production of complex structures. These 3D models mimic the feel, functionality, and look of the actual product design.
What is additive manufacturing?
Additive manufacturing, also known as 3D printing, is the advanced technology used to produce 3D printed physical models. It is the process of joining or adding printing substances to produce robust finished products within a short turnaround time. SLS/SLA and fused deposit printing (FDM) are some of the popular printing methods used in additive manufacturing.
Major industrial applications of additive manufacturing:
Aerospace
From producing lightweight spacecraft parts to satellites, the application of additive manufacturing in the aerospace industry is vast. This technology is mainly used to produce aerospace engineering model parts with complex geometric structures.
Automotive
The automotive industry has adopted this technology to produce mechanical structures with complex designs. Using the rapid prototyping process, they produce large auto parts to be used in the vehicles. Exhaust tubes, disk brakes, lightweight parts in electrical vehicles, and other mechanical parts can be produced using this technology.
Healthcare
The healthcare industry has been at the forefront of using this technology to help improve the quality of care. The production of low-cost prosthetic hands using 3D printing has made it affordable for several patients.
Some of the medical applications using additive manufacturing include:
- Realistic organ replicas
- Prototype medical surgery tools
- Bio-printing for tissue transplants
Oil and Natural Gas
Oil and gas companies have implemented this technology to create turbines, valves, and other structural components. Oil rigs are operated in remote locations and it is difficult to transport spare parts and other complex components within a short time. Using 3D printing, any kind of structural components can be manufactured on-demand at the site.
Construction and architecture
Architects and construction building engineers were among the earliest adopters of physical printed 3D architecture scale models. The majority of this technology is used to create building mock-up models, architecture models, construction prototype models for demonstration and design communication purposes. Several 3D printed houses and commercial centers have been developed and it may soon be implemented in mainstream building constructions.
Future scope of additive manufacturing in industrial applications:
The traditional operations in the industrial and manufacturing sectors have been experiencing a rapid decline for the past few years. Speed, efficiency, and accuracy are essential to increase their productivity, which can be achieved using additive manufacturing.
There are several advantages of using this technology in various industrial applications.
- Short production time
- Accurate replication of highly complex shapes
- Flexibility to produce customized parts
- Reduced labor costs
- Quick on-demand production in site
Professional Scale model makers use additive manufacturing technology to produce a physical prototype, mock-up, and working models within a short turn around times (TAT). 3D printed models help businesses to meet the complex design demands quickly with real-life aesthetics. Architectural, industrial and engineering consultants can make use of a 3D printed scale model to present their design ideas to clients and investors for approval.
