3D Printing for Product Design: the Full Details

3D printing is the future of product design. It can take a product from initial design brainstorm, to the implementation of final details in the creation of a product and straight down to the final marketing and sales phase. The benefits of 3D printing for product design are endless, and with the technology in its infancy, there are a myriad of other opportunities to be explored.

Developing product design through the innovations of 3D printing delivers a polished and perfected end result through an alternative approach. The fast response rate and ease of alterations give the technique an edge over the traditional hand-crafted individual pieces on the market that may exhaust man-power, time, money and space. A simple click of a button can undo errors, improve key features and even inspire new ideas during the creation process for both manufacturers and 3rd party traders making use of 3D printing for product design.

3D printing also shines a light on the behind the scenes production stages of a product. With detailed animation that shows the very building blocks and build up of a product, customers learn to appreciate their favourite products, feeling as though they are more involved in the process – helping them understand what 3D printing actually means.

Product Design 3D printing

3D printing, and 3D product design specifically is the creation of a product, from drawing board to sales points, managed and developed in a virtual environment. This digital perspective generated three-dimensional imagery that results in a prototype of products that can be explored in detail to deliver optimum user experience.

During the different phases of 3D printing, designers, creative directors and design houses or even scientists, inventors and product developers, are able to tweak a product to its highest state of perfection. This time reducing method could be a solution for inexpensive mass production of items such as fashion staples, medical advancements, technological solutions, military equipment, and so many other fields.
 

What are the impacts of 3D printing on design and manufacturing?

3D printing as a whole, saves on material, time, man power, resources and most importantly in the design work – thinking time. The technology is so swift and efficient, making changes and improvements is not as tedious as traditional methods – allowing designers to return to a specific point of the manufacturing stage and reverse the effects to meet their improved concepts.

From an economic perspective, when looking at the bigger picture, 3D printing will only require a one-time investment; the purchase of the technology itself. With long lasting material needed in storage, Return on Investment is not hindered by damaged or expired raw materials, plus space is no longer an issue. With one station controlling the entire process; a smaller area is needed to operate – reducing carbon footprints and occupation of land.

Where can we use 3D product design?

3D product design printing can be used in an array of industries where specific requirements are expected to be reached with every single item released to the public. Some of the stages that ensure this always takes place with 3D printing processes include:

The Prototyping Stage

In the early stages of a product’s development, prototyping with 3D printing allows for a thorough analysis of the product, gaining insight to the possible outcome of a final product. When compared to 2D printing, 3D printing allows the imagination to run wild with a more tactile approach inspiring the process.

The Precise Measurements Benefit

The tactile element in 3D product design printing gives manufacturers a rather factual idea of what their products will look like – dimensions, precision and all. Real scale development could allow products to be launched to the public much sooner, with an increased opportunity for rapid turnover rates.

An All-round View of Products

This physical product also allows for deep analysis and inspection of the model from all angles – giving perfection a highly attainable success rate. The visual expression of a product determines the quality in response and generates an elevated perception with end users

The Promotion and Marketing Reach

While photography, video, captivating copy, SEO techniques all work wonders in the promotion of a product, marketing tools could be further amplified in the 3D product printing sector, with 3D models easily incorporated into any stage of a marketing campaign. This could help boost impressions and ultimately help to convert through eye-catching animations

The Final Production Stage

Once all steps in the 3D product design printing process are met, a simple click of a button translates the data stored in the development stage to immediately create a product with pinpoint accuracy; generating hundreds of finished products within hours.

What are the pros in 3D product design printing?

Apart from reducing manufacturing time and saving costs in the development process, 3D printing can help to improve quality and design in general. The simplified manufacturing creates great opportunities with reduced design constraints, with flexibility feeding creativity and imagination in future product development. 3D printing is an innovative tool that can revolutionise the 3D products of our lifetime with its accuracy and efficiency.