How Additive Manufacturing Reduces Costs and Workflows in the Business Process

3D printing and prototyping

First things first - 3D printing drastically reduces the costs associated with prototyping, allowing all types of businesses to pursue prototyping and new product production. 
3D printing also speeds up the product development process. Creating a professional prototype used to take months, sometimes years. With 3D printing software and a 3D printer, a company can build the design and print the prototype in-house in a couple of hours. 
Not only that - 3D printing empowers businesses to create different prototype iterations without sacrificing the deadline and budget. With 3D printing, business owners and their teams can tweak the design and print it on the spot. 

3D printing and product manufacturing

In addition to using 3D printing to produce prototypes, business owners can also use 3D printing to manufacture the final product. This technology is best suited for low-volume production, making it an ideal tool for small businesses.
 
Low-volume production is actually one of 3D printing's fortes. 3D printing eliminated the need for massive factories and humongous equipment, meaning that small businesses owners can now access certain markets and compete with big companies without breaking the bank. 
What's more - 3D printing levels the costs of producing different items. A single machine can produce any product without the need for moulds. This empowers small business owners to diversify their business without having to worry about manufacturing costs. 
3D printing can also be used to create parts on-demand without forcing the client to wait weeks or months for a single part. Companies such as Boeing have adopted 3D printing when it comes to part production. 
According to Melissa Orme, VP of Boeing Additive Manufacturing, “We’re continuously looking to identify opportunities where we can employ additive manufacturing to improve product performance through streamlining the vehicle, reducing its weight, and providing more durability.”

 

3D printing and the future of customisation

Last but not least, 3D printing encourages creativity by empowering business owners to create custom products at minimal costs. Customisation has become a super important factor for modern consumers. In fact, multinationals like Nike, Adidas and Reebok are using 3D printing to produce customised solutions for elite athletes. Small business owners can utilise 3D printing to create one-of-a-kind products that still have a high return on investment.