There You Have It 3D is a technology that allows for a very rapid development of prototypes which in turn speeds up the product design process. For a small business or startup this can mean that the process of going from idea, to 3D model and then holding a real product in your hands is a lot faster than traditional manufacturing methods.
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The 3D printing process itself varies from method to method but all are characterised by building up an object layer by layer. Typically the starting material is a fine plastic or metal powder. This is then fed into the printer where it is melted or solidified with lasers, electric arcs and electron beams. Other methods of 3D printing include sintering (Direct Metal Laser Sintering, Powder Bed Fusion and Selective Laser Sintering), photopolymerisation (Material Jetting and Stereolithography) or slicing and curing with UV light (3D Printing on Demand).
Unlike traditional manufacturing processes the 3D printing technique produces items closer to the point of consumption. This can drastically reduce logistics costs, and minimise waste. It is also a more sustainable approach to production as it allows businesses to produce parts and products that are lighter than the ones they make traditionally using materials like steel and aluminium.
As industries evolve so too does the need for components that combine strength with lightness, a requirement that 3D printing is capable of meeting. It is also capable of creating complex internal structures such as honeycombs and lattices that can retain strength whilst reducing weight, an advantage that traditional manufacturing methods are not as able to offer.
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