As we have seen, this new production technology brings many advantages to the companies that adopt it.
There are also many AM applications that already exist or are close to becoming a reality. Here are some examples:
Health
Low-cost prostheses are, in fact, what stands out the most when we talk about the healthcare sector.
This technology also makes it possible to produce an exact copy of the organs of the human body, so that they can be examined more accurately.
In the future, the expectation is that it will be possible to replicate human tissue to, for example, replace skin that has suffered severe burns.
With the advancement of this technology, it will also be possible to print human organs, which will considerably reduce transplant queues.
Motoring
In the field of motorsports, it is possible to produce entire cars using a 3D printer.
The parts are of great quality , and it is also possible to make prototypes for testing.
In 2014, Local Motors printed a one-of-a-kind prototype car in 44 azerbaijan whatsapp data hours and displayed it at the Chicago Industry Show.
Also, more recently, as CNN reported , the McLaren Formula 1 team began using 3D printed parts in its cars.
One example is the rear wing, which with AM technology is produced over the course of 10 days, far better than the full five weeks it took with traditional methods.
Cooking
It is now possible to print food using the additive manufacturing process.
For example, when using an edible raw material, it is possible to produce various dishes, either by superimposing layers or by using more complex methods.
There are quite a few options for 3D food printers that can be found on the market.
You can even choose whether you want a healthier diet by purchasing the right equipment. Simply prepare the ingredients and then put them inside the machine to print the food.
Educational institutions
Technological advancement is now a constant in classrooms. In fact, there are many innovations that aim to improve the student experience.
In this sense, AM can be used in various contexts within school planning, whether for basic education—such as with the expansion of maker culture—or for technical/higher education.
Perhaps the main issue to be evaluated is the possibility of developing gamification in education, from the use of 3D printers to the most advanced study of technical subjects.
What must a company have to manufacture by addition?
As we mentioned, the technologies to use additive manufacturing are not inaccessible. All you need is the 3D modeling software, the additive equipment, and the material to feed it.
Many times, it is not even necessary to have experience with the software itself, since many part models are freely available on the Internet.
However, before investing in technology, we suggest you understand your production flow, to understand if innovation fits into your value chain.
That is, would AM reduce costs or production time? Would it maintain or increase quality? Would it be economically viable? And, in terms of expertise, are your employees appropriately qualified?
Additive manufacturing and subtractive manufacturing: what is the difference?
AM is the process of building a product from layers of materials, usually in a computer-controlled environment.
Subtractive manufacturing involves removing material from a raw part to create the final product.
Additive and subtractive manufacturing differ in several aspects, including accuracy, complexity, and time.
The former is often more precise than the latter, as components are created from scratch, allowing those involved to design products with millimetre precision.
In addition, additive manufacturing is more complex than subtractive manufacturing, as all aspects of manufacturing must be taken into account before starting the process.
Finally, the additive method is slower than the subtractive method, as each layer of material must be carefully placed before the next one is added.