Using 3D printing allows manufacturers to produce parts and products more efficiently and with greater design flexibility than ever before. Traditional manufacturing methods often require costly tooling and long lead times, which can limit innovation and slow production. In contrast, 3D printing enables rapid prototyping and on-demand production, giving manufacturers the ability to test designs quickly and make improvements without significant financial investment.

Pros and cons

Should your manufacturing company invest in 3D printing? To answer this question, first consider these pros:

Speed and efficiency. 3D printing eliminates the need for time-consuming toolmaking and fabrication processes. It allows manufacturers to develop, modify and create prototypes faster and at a lower cost. This allows manufacturers to streamline product development and production, bringing products to market more quickly.

More opportunity to customize. By eliminating the need for fixed tooling or molds, 3D printing opens the door for customization on a mass scale. Each product or part created by a 3D printer can be different, allowing manufacturers to offer customized designs and a variety of materials to meet customers' specifications.

Improved quality and consistency. 3D printing makes products and parts using digital designs and specifications. This removes human error from the equation, enhancing the quality and consistency of the manufacturing process. 3D printing also makes it far easier and cheaper to modify designs and adjust the manufacturing process to address quality issues.

Cost savings. 3D printing is a highly automated process requiring fewer employees, thus it allows for reduced staffing costs. Plus, it occupies far less space than traditional manufacturing equipment, which typically uses tools, molds and dies, reducing facility and other overhead costs. It also allows manufacturers to print on demand, meaning you'll no longer have a need for large stock inventories.

Less waste. 3D printing uses only the material needed for the part. So, it's also known as "additive manufacturing" — that is, it creates products or parts by adding materials layer by layer. This results in far less waste than traditional "subtractive" or "reductive" manufacturing methods, in which a product or part is created by removing substance from a block of raw material.

There are some cons to consider as well. For example, 3D printers tend to be small, so manufacturers may still need to combine 3D-printed components with larger parts after printing. In addition, unlike most other manufacturing, the cost per unit won't be reduced significantly when you scale up printing for mass production. You'll have to balance these drawbacks against the cost-saving benefits of 3D printing.

Keep your competitive edge

As 3D printing continues to advance — with stronger materials and faster print speeds — it's becoming an essential tool for manufacturers looking to stay competitive, agile and innovative in an increasingly digital economy. We can help you determine whether the costs of purchasing 3D printing equipment will pay off over the long run for your manufacturing company.