3D Printing
Ten years ago I have used the first 3D printing machines – the stereolitography process, best known now days as “SLT” as a replacement for traditional prototyping that was based on milling machines and lathes.
What used to be done in 3 weeks of time by highly qualified prototypists could then be done in 2 or 3 days, and at a much lower price. This is how it all started… This technique has become a must for anyone involved in R&D. Many solutions exist now, and many materials can be printed. But there is still a last challenge for the industry: 3D Printers, whatever theirspeed and size, stay away from mass production. Even when using only 1000 items a year, you better build moulds, and inject plastics. It is still far less expensive.
The second problem is that moulds take several weeks to be manufactured. Yes it is already possible to make 3D printed tools, but their accuracy and durability aren’t at the expected level either. Nevertheless there are visible progresses in this direction and for medium yearly quantities, the moment will come soon when 3D printed industrial parts will be smooth, neat, accurate, and affordable. A good example is what Carbon3D in the US is developing at the moment: A 3D manufacturing unit that will not build an object dropping a line of melted material on a previous line, but flashing the entire new layer image using a UV beamer that polymerises a whole section of the object all at once. Therefore, they reach a very high level of accuracy, and divide the time needed to produce a new object by a ratio of 10 times! No doubt this is a breakthrough innovation that will make possible industrial printed parts in a reasonable future.
Have a look at http://carbon3d.com/ You’ll be reaaaaally surprised!