March 2019

| 20 | March 2019 www.smartmachinesandfactories.com | STRATEGIES | A key benefit of 3D printing is that it can produce metal or plastic parts lighter than those produced by conventional manufacturing processes. This is important in industries with a strong future, such as automotive, aerospace and consumer electronics. For instance, the cost of putting a satellite into geostationary orbit can be up to USD 20,000 (EUR 16,000) per kilogram. The potential cost savings from weight reduction and the possibility of producing highly complex parts quickly are fuelling a boom in 3D printing in industrial manufacturing. It is therefore not surprising that global turnover on 3D printers and accessories, materials, software and services rose from USD 529 million in 2003 to USD 3.07 billion in 2013. Annual growth is estimated at 45.7%, and another study has predicted a market volume of around USD 17.2 million in 2020.1 The application determines the process With the range of 3D printers, technologies and materials growing steadily, users are faced with the question of which solution to choose. 3D printing was first used in rapid prototyping, but today is increasingly used in additive processes that enable volume production of plastic and metal parts. It is also used to manufacture parts that are too complex for traditional injection moulding. The trend is towards modular and scalable manufacturing solutions tailored to a particular application. Smart Machines & Factories provides an overview of the processes and trends. Which process is suitable for which application? 3D printing: