3 INDUSTRIES THAT CAN LEVERAGE ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING TO OVERCOME THEIR SHORTCOMINGS

Additive manufacturing is the process of manufacturing a product in the form of pre-defined layers instead of the traditional subtractive or molding methods. This revolutionary technology, previously known as Rapid Prototyping, is now used in a wide range of industries, from healthcare to aerospace and has opened a wide set of new opportunities.

There are different forms of additive manufacturing, and largely depend on the type of material being used:

• SLS – selective laser sintering
• SLA – stereo-lithography
• DMLS – direct metal laser sintering
• FDM – fused deposition modeling
• LMD – laser metal deposition

Due to its advancement, the additive manufacturing market is projected to reach $30.6 billion by 2028.

Read ahead to learn about some industries using additive manufacturing that can overcome shortcomings with this technology.

1.??? Aerospace Sector

The aerospace industry mainly consists of satellites, military aircraft, in-space systems, space launch systems, missiles, commercial aircraft, and general aviation.

The aerospace industry faced a significant decline in revenue during the pandemic due to social distancing protocols and air travel restrictions. With a challenging decline from $342.3 billion to $298 billion, this sector is still expected to overcome this obstacle and grow to $430.87 billion in revenue by the end of 2025.

How?

Due to additive manufacturing, aircraft engineers can manufacture complex, lightweight aircraft components with improved mechanical and technical properties. Metal additive manufacturing also enables engineers to enhance internal microstructures with reduced material wastage and higher material utilization.

Metal additive manufacturing can help to craft fuel-efficient aircraft with lower inventory requirements and optimal designs.

2.??? Consumer Products

One of the most time-consuming processes in the consumer sector is creating a prototype that appeals to all consumers. How can additive manufacturing help this sector?

Additive manufacturing provides easy customization and rapid prototyping, which doesn’t just save time but also saves money.

For example, a teledentistry company teamed with a 3D printing company to produce transparent dental aligners that match the 3D printed mold of the consumer’s dental alignment.

This technology allows companies to provide highly personalized services that help them meet all of their customer’s unique needs.

3.??? Medical and Pharmaceutical

Additive manufacturing is widely used in the dental and medical fields and enables healthcare experts to provide customized solutions to their patients.

Additive manufacturing can be utilized in orthodontic appliances, drill guides, splints, and dental models. This technology is also used to create artificial organs and tissues.

This technology allows healthcare facilities to construct 3D models of their patient’s anatomy and create patient-specific implants for more personalized medical treatment.

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We provide cutting-edge additive manufacturing solutions and partner with leading AM companies like HP and EOS.

Get in touch with us now to learn more about our prototyping and 3D printing services.