3D Printing in Manufacturing: A Game Changer for Modern Industries

Originally named Rapid Proto Typing machine invented to reduce the time product creation and development is now also known as 3D printing. It is an additive process used to create objects by adding material layer by layer, following a digital design. So, is additive manufacturing the same as 3D Printing? Yes, the raw material is added in thin layers based on a prototype and then these layers are joined together till the physical object is formed. The technology is getting more and more popular and is now used to a huge extent in the manufacturing industry due to its availability and convenience. The global growth of the 3D printing market is expected to reach $118 billion by 2032, growing at 23% each year. Several industries are using 3D printing in manufacturing to create products for medical, dental, aerospace, construction, edtech and even automotive applications. In this article we will understand how 3D printing is transforming manufacturing and other industries, powered by technology.

The Manufacturing Mold: How is 3D Printing Used in Manufacturing

The manufacturing sector alone takes the cake with nearly having a share of 40% of the entire 3D printing market. Here’s why 3D printing in manufacturing is so attractive:

• Cost-Effective: About 5-10 % of raw materials go to waste in the traditional manufacturing process. With the introduction of 3D printing, this waste is reduced to just 2-5%, which can lead to savings of up to 70% in production costs.
• Time Efficient: 3D printing can reduce prototyping and production time by 85%. What used to take weeks can now be done in just a few days and in similar ways days can be reduced to hours.
• Customizable With increasing demand for personalized products, 3D printing allows easy creation of unique designs. The demand for customized products has grown by 25% in recent years.

A number of companies such as GE, Lockheed Martin and Boeing, Aurora Flight Sciences, Invisalign, LUXeXcel etc. have started using 3D printing technology for making various devices, products, parts etc. This technology is also increasingly used in manufacturing prosthetics, dental implants, hearing and auditory aids, surgical tools, satellites and parts for aircraft especially the ones that are difficult to procure etc. 3D modeling software like selective laser sintering (SLS) and fused deposition modeling (FDM) are used in the designing and engineering of cars and automotives as well. A McKinsey report mentions that 3D printing manufacturing technology is going to emerge from its niche segment to viable alternative to conventional manufacturing process in an increasing number of applications. 3D printing technology is used in making lightweight and complex parts in automotive and aerospace industry. With traditional manufacturing processes, the making of complex parts is very expensive. With 3D printing technology, this can be less expensive. Architects use this technology to create complex models and show their clients their workability. It is vastly used in the medical field, especially in bone replacement, dentistry, prosthetic sockets, artificial blood vessels etc. This technology is also used by artists and fashion designers to express their creativity.

IT and 3D Printing: The Connect

Behind every 3D printer, there is an IT system managing everything from design to production. Without the right technology, 3D printing wouldn’t be as effective. Software like AutoCAD and SolidWorks helps design 3D models for printing. The global market for CAD software is projected to reach $11.8 billion by 2023. Around 60% of 3D printing operations are connected to cloud systems. This makes it easier to share designs, work remotely and scale production. Data storage and management is also another area where information technology and the craft go hand in hand. The digital files used for 3D printing can be quite large, ranging from 1 gigabyte to several hundred gigabytes per file. IT teams need to manage these files and ensure secure, quick transfers between teams and machines. 

Challenges and Opportunities

3D printing comes with a number of benefits, it also presents challenges, especially for IT professionals. Digital designs can be hacked or stolen. A report by CRN estimates theft of 3D printing files could cost over $1 billion per year. Artificial Intelligence will help make designs smarter and faster. This market is expected to grow by 32% each year until 2030. If manufacturing is decentralized and instead of big factories, if 3D printing could let companies produce products closer to customers and sell them without a lot of middlemen, it can lead for more cost-efficient products and easier distribution. Companies generate tons of data—up to 10 terabytes or more a year—from 3D printing. With increasing data volumes, managing and storing data becomes difficult. In the culinary industry, researchers are already exploring 3D printing applications to be able to print food. From complex desserts to lab-grown meat available that can be available in less than an hour. Fashion and jewelry are also spheres where 3D printing’s potential can grow by leaps and bounds. As companies grow their 3D printing operations, they need better storage, faster networks, and efficient systems. Along with that manufacturing processes need to be ecofriendly because the sector is a major contributor to climate change, accounting for 20–30% of global carbon emissions. 3D printing uses less energy and reduces carbon footprint by 15 to 40% than traditional methods, making it better for the planet.

Conclusion

3D printing in manufacturing and beyond is changing the way industries work. It’s not just about making things faster or cheaper. It’s about using technology to create new possibilities. For IT professionals, this means managing data, keeping designs safe, and improving systems. As 3D printing becomes more and more popular, it will become even more important in industries like manufacturing, healthcare, aerospace and even lifestyle. With continuous innovation and investment, 3D printing in manufacturing and other spaces will only become a boon across industries. For IT professionals, this is an exciting time to be part of a technology that is shaping the future of manufacturing and beyond.

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