3D Printing

3Dprinting has completely revolutionized the way designs can be turned into models and prototypes. Though still in its evolutionary phase, it has transformed the way an idea can be shaped and effectuated. Gone are the days when the companies had to incur huge costs in order to setup a plant, hire numerous laboriousness run the plants, buy huge amounts of raw materials and make a provision for stock and inventory, that too with all kinds of risks known to mankind. Now, with the push of a button, the design file can be molded into a three dimensional model, in a ridiculously short amount of time at a fraction of the cost. The biggest advantage that 3D printing gives is the freedom to ‘do-over.’ Unlike traditional methods, 3D printing is not bound by the limitations of capital, labor and materials. The innovator can practically design the model in endless ways. In this way, 3D printing actually promotes the innovator spirit among the entrepreneurs. Apart from that, another big advantage is that the presence of the three dimensional model enables a more holistic and detailed scrutiny. Also, the additive manufacturing method which the 3D printing uses, calls for minimum wastage and overhead costs, the reason being that it only uses the materials it needs to build the model. So there is minimum wastage of resources and raw materials. It also makes 3D printing the most Eco-friendly method of production thus far. It uses the least amount of resources and there is minimum wastage.Additive manufacturing at low volumes is very cost competitive compared to traditional manufacturing Further, it also catalyses the process of delivery of goods from producers to consumers. The maximum amount of time that a producer spends on in the chain of concept-production-distribution-sale is in the physical delivery to the end consumer, provided that the goods in question are not in any Big-box retailers or other like players. Because the process of 3D printing can be performed anywhere and there is no requirement for any major installation or expenses, all one needs is a 3D printer. Therefore, the producer can produce the goods locally, instead of outsourcing the manufacturing to countries like China and cut short the time in the aforementioned chain.3D printing also allows the producer to experiment with his product by mixing different raw materials which may or may not be possible with mass-manufacturing methods due to the sometimes high costs involved and to the materials’ physical & chemical properties that make them difficult to combine through traditional methods.Moreover, 3D printing also ensures a constant and uniform level of quality. This may seem like a stretched out point, however, it is of immense significance when it comes to products the production of which is more dependent on the skills of a workman or artisan as compared to a machine. 3D printing is the future of manufacturing. Though still in its initial stage, 3D printing already is giving traditional manufacturing a run for its money.