3D Printing

Advantages and disadvantages of 3D printing technology

The use of this technology has some advantages for companies. These are particularly due to the reduction of errors as well as the reduction of material and labor costs. This results in faster, more cost-effective production. 

Avoid errors

Especially during the development phase of new products, errors in design and function are normal. The 3D models can be used in the short term and already in the early stages of development. In this way, errors can be detected and eliminated earlier than in the production of objects by hand or molds. Because these traditional approaches are time-consuming, prototypes are often deployed at a later stage, so errors only come to mind after work and time have been invested. The same applies to the other options for using 3D printing. Thus, the production of a small number of parts can be stopped and improved in between and not only at the end of the production.   

The higher the quality of a 3D printer, the more precise and true to original the produced part is. For example, it is possible to produce objects from different materials and to reproduce the properties of the product. No matter whether multicolor or transparent, rubber-like or fixed, with moving parts or without. Thermoplastics, photopolymers and composites are capable of providing almost any material property. Post-processing processes such as painting or polishing can withstand them without any problems. In this way, models in contrast to digital designs on the computer in their optics and haptics correspond to the final product. Tests with the objects reveal errors that would result in a high cost and time for improvement in the final product. This means that prototypes can be printed and errors eliminated at an early stage of development.

In addition, the models created once on the computer can be changed and reproduced as required. If the initial design of the prototype shows errors or if something is to be improved on the design, only the most necessary changes must be made. The printers can then immediately produce the next generation of the prototype.

Acceleration of production

The short-term and flexible use of 3D pressure leads to an acceleration of production at the end. This includes reducing development effort and effort. This is especially true for the production of spare parts. Without 3D Printing, the generation must rest in the worst case until a spare part is delivered. On the other hand, a 3D printer produces the required parts on site according to the just-in-time principle.  

Environmentally friendly process

In addition, the 3D pressure is more environmentally friendly in many areas than conventional procurement channels. On the one hand, the material consumption is lower, so that less waste is produced. On the other hand, transport routes are minimized or completely eliminated, since the required parts can be printed directly on site. This makes a contribution to saving CO2.    

Disadvantages of 3D pressure

• The design of a printable template requires specific knowledge and experience.
• Printing takes several hours or days, depending on the complexity of the object.
• Mass production is not yet possible, as classic production is cheaper from a certain quantity.

Application possibilities of 3D printing in companies

Now, the 3D printer makes it possible to do so much, both in the home and in the business environment. In the future, this technology will continue to evolve, and some even expect a profound influence in business models, production processes, and value chains. 

Manual 3D printing for lessons

Example from practice   

RWTH Aachen developed a collaborative platform in cooperation with Conrad, which enables the networking of production resources and customer orders. To illustrate the approaches, a simulation of production sites was created. Using 3D printers, this simulation can distribute print jobs over a network to locations and initiate production. 

In addition to the Renkforce RF500 3D printer we recommend, the Conrad Electronic Technology Center also recommended using the Renkforce 3D Astroprint box. This enables the printer to be controlled via a programming interface and the associated option to send print jobs over the network via the existing platform using a server-client architecture.

Various procedures in 3D printing

The numerous application possibilities, which bring with them the diverse materials and forms, also make different manufacturing paths necessary. The most common printing variant are additive processes, also generative production, in which an object is created by adding, applying and storing material. The template for this is a digital model. These include:

Other, less used options are forming processes in which the product is shaped by mechanical or thermal methods such as bending, pressing and casting. Subtractive approaches work on raw material by milling, turning, drilling and electrical methods to obtain the desired object. Printers that combine multiple processes fall under the hybrid approach. 

3D print service online

3D print service at the Conrad branch

Scanning, printing, taking away: The 3D print hubs work in the Conrad branch office on this principle. Test it yourself!