3D printing is driving innovation and enhancing design freedom in a number of industries . The technology is growing at an astounding rate , inspiring successful programs in our own back yard — like HV3D , Hudson Valley Economic Development Corporation ’ s initiative to promote the development and use of 3D printing in New York State . How businesses prepare for the inevitable advance of this technology will dictate how well they ' ll compete in this emerging 3D world .
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3D printing , also known as additive manufacturing , uses computer-aided design ( CAD ) software to produce a 3D object from a digital model . The opposite of traditional manufacturing , which takes bulk material and subtracts from it to create goods , additive manufacturing is the microscopic layering , or adding , of material to create the object . While accessibility is still somewhat limited , forecasters anticipate that the emergence of several mid-range printers will spark widespread adoption over the next five years .
Applications and Implications It wasn ’ t long ago that 3D printing was relegated to novelty status at technology expos , with attendees craning their necks to see plastic trinkets materialize before their very eyes . Today , 3D printing is beginning to take its place among the likes of digital technology and the Internet of Things ( IoT ) as a major disruptor to more traditional business models . Programs like HV3D recognize the impact of 3D printing on New York businesses , providing a forum to learn from and experiment with this exciting technology .
Currently , there are four distinct areas of application for 3D printing in business , each with its own implications for your company ’ s bottom line :
� RAPID PROTOTYPING The ability to quickly create a prototype and easily adjust the design for future iterations significantly decreases business costs , time , and resources across industries . What used to take months of development at a high cost is now simply a matter of uploading a design or going to a local print shop . Changes can be made to the model with relatively easy software tweaks in a fraction of the time for traditional prototyping .
CASE STUDIES Substantial Advantages for the Midsize Business 3D printing is leveling the playing field for midsize companies that want to reduce time to market , differentiate from the competition , and bolster their bottom lines . No longer out-resourced by massive corporations , smaller companies are finding big opportunities in additive manufacturing .
ÎÎINNOVATION . Design innovation for the midsize business can be hindered by fear of costly mistakes or frustrations from delayed delivery of prototypes . Whether it ’ s an experiment with new materials or a whole new product line , 3D printing has become an integral part of the development process due to its low-cost flexibility in the prototyping phase .
ÎÎPRODUCT DEVELOPMENT . The emergence of mid-range 3D printers can streamline production and cut down the time to market for a variety of industries . While midsize companies traditionally rely on mass manufacturers to produce goods , decentralization made possible with 3D printing means faster delivery , little or no inventory , and decreased shipping costs .
ÎÎLOW-RUN PRODUCTION . Highly customized products are a valuable vehicle for brand loyalty and increased revenue , but small-scale production of personalized items can be a costly undertaking . 3D printing allows midsize companies to run one-offs at heavily reduced costs .
CONNECT TECHNOLOGY FALL 2016 // SNB . COM | 17