3D printing which was designed for prototype production in the pass can be used as manufacturing method for both prototype production and actual manufacturing method. 3D printing process has the advantages of personalization, design freedom and easy assembly. In addition, it enables low production with low cost. Another benefit of 3D printing process is that they are environment-friendly. Additive manufacturing methods have high efficiency and can reduce the amount of waste material up to 90%.
The costliest and most labor-intensive part in the product development process is mold production. 3D printing reduces the need for mold production and reduces lead time, costs, and labor.
Conventional manufacturing methods such as injection molding are generally preferred for mass production. 3D printing is more economical compared to traditional manufacturing methods for small quantities because it is fast and economical, it reshapes the product development and production process. Engineers and designers save time and cost by producing prototypes with 3D printing technologies. 3D printing has become an invaluable technology because of both time-saving and high accuracy models.
Molds made with 3D printing reduce the standard injection molding process, which lasts weeks and months, to hours and days. Low volume parts and functional, testable injection molds can be produced faster than ever before with 3D printing technologies. Molds that are produced with 3D printing technology can be tested to find out the impact resistance, chemical resistance, water tightness and resilience values when the time is narrow. Layered manufacturing is a fast and versatile technology due to its ability to produce molds in less than one day.
If you want to produce less than 1000 pieces, 3D printing molds is the best manufacturing method for you. In the manufacturing processes, especially in the production of plastic parts, the cost decreases as the number of parts increases. Injection molding is extremely expensive when the number of parts is low. In such cases, choosing 3D printing technologies gives you time and cost advantages.
Low volume parts with complex geometries can be produced with high quality and high accuracy with 3D printing technologies. Parts can be produced with high-quality engineering materials for the medical, aerospace and automotive industries.