3d printing

Speed. 

Manufacturing parts has never been faster. You can have your first prototype in the palm of your hand within a few hours.

Efficient manufacturing. 

In traditional manufacturing processes, there may be up to ten steps to creating a product. Steps may include: cutting steel, preparation for welding, building the jig, welding the part, grinding and drilling holes, sanding and coating. For 3D printing, all of those steps are built into the machine. Once the CAD design is finalized, the part is ready to print. 

Cost. 

The cost of 3D printing can be broken into three categories: machine operation costs, material costs, and labor costs. 3D printing machines have higher efficiency and turnaround, typically making operation costs the lowest contributor. Material costs are usually the highest cost factor, depending on what kind of filament you purchase. The main advantage to 3D printing is the low labor cost, which only requires the operator to push a button. 

Design freely and with complexity.

In terms of limits, most complex and intricate geometric designs are in easy reach for 3D printing. The additive manufacturing process creates objects layer by layer, unlike traditional manufacturing, which tends to cut materials away, and therefore, presents more limitations and potential problems.

Customization. 

With 3D printing, custom fits are now easy to make. From sporting gear (sunglasses, fashion accessories) to health care and dentistry (custom prosthetics, implants, dental aids),  personalized items are now cheaper to make and more readily accessible. 

Sustainability. 

Since additive manufacturing adds only the materials needed to build the part, there is limited waste. Excess raw materials can be recycled and re-used for another design or part.