Advantages of 3D Printing

Three-dimensional printing is considered an industrial revolution and can be used in almost every industry or field by many different users including design visualization, architecture, engineering, education, healthcare, geospatial, prototyping/CAD, metal casting, entertainment, retail, art and many more.

Here are some of the general advantages of 3-D printing:

• Faster Turnaround: Models are fast to make; hours rather than days or weeks.
  
• Reduced Costs: Models would generally cost $5 or less each rather than the traditional $400 or more.
• Greater detail: Pieces made are more precise.
  
• Easy-to-use: While other forms of modeling and rapid prototyping require specialized knowledge and training, 3-D printers typically come with user-friendly software.

Architects, Engineers and designers could benefit from 3-D printing by:

• Allowing them to efficiently test their product designs using the models made.


• The “prints” could also be used as working parts.


• Complex assemblies could be made that work. Pieces formed by a 3-D printer can actually snap or fit together.


• Outsourcing a prototype takes days or weeks and cost over $400 while using a 3-D printer to make a model takes only hours and cost less than $5.


• 3-D printing ensures that the designs remain inside the company, for greater protection rather than outsourcing a prototype.


• These quick and inexpensive models from 3-D printers allow designers to now make multiple concepts right from their desktops.


• Allows the designers to catch flaws early in the design process that could save them thousands (if not millions) of dollars.


• It could be used as a tool for visualizing and communicating your ideas as there’s no substitute for the tactile and visual feedback a physical model can provide. CAD files, prints and renderings can be misinterpreted by everyone from team members to clients.


• The “prints” can be drilled, tapped, sanded and even painted.

Advantages in Education:

• 3-D printers could be used in high schools, technical colleges and universities enabling students to build functional models and seeing their ideas firsthand.


• Makes teaching methods a lot simpler by showing the students certain models that it being discussed in class.


• Their easy to use software makes it perfect for students as using 3-D printers won’t need any complex programming requirements.


• 3-D printers could be a very useful tool for the designers and engineers of tomorrow.

3-D printing could have countless advantages in countless industries and fields. Click here To read some of the success stories from different companies that have used Dimensions 3-D Printers, one of the leading manufacturers of 3-D printers.

http://www.dimensionprinting.com/default.aspx
http://www.dimensionprinting.com/successstories/successstories-main.aspx
http://www.dimensionprinting.com/applications/educators.aspx
http://www.dimensionprinting.com/applications/design-engineers.asp
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/3D_printing