3D Printing Finds Diverse Roles Across Many Types of Business

In our technological world, things change fast. Not too long ago, the idea of 3D printing was futuristic – the stuff of science shows on television. Then, it became a reality, if you had deep pockets. But in a space of just a few years, 3D printing has become ubiquitous in terms of the kinds of organizations that can afford it and the ways they apply it. 

For those in the design business, accustomed to using CAD equipment and traditional 2D graphical output, it is simply a logical adjunct. Solid-modeling software combined with 3D printing means three-dimensional concept models, which can be useful for customer demonstrations or simply for refining design ideas, are now within reach. And nothing supports visualization and communication as well as something people can touch and handle. This also helps reduce disconnects when designers pass things off to manufacturing. A 3D representation can help clarify manufacturing issues in advance, potentially saving time and money. Indeed, some estimate that simply having a 3D model available can reduce the costs of developing production tooling by up to 6 percent to 8 percent.

The “other” term for 3D printing – rapid prototyping – also speaks for itself. Getting a concept into literally solid form in hours rather than days or weeks can cut time out of the whole design-development-production sequence, helping to ensure timely arrival in the marketplace.

Nowadays, too, 3D printers often offer outputs made of durable material such as ABS plastics that can compare favorably with what’s used to actually make a finished product. This means test units can sometimes be crafted directly by a 3D printer. And, of course, since 3D printers are by definition automated, all this extra productive capacity can continue to cycle even when you aren’t there to supervise.

For example, The Companion Group, a California company, applies 3D printing to making prototype models of barbecue tools and outdoor accessories. Aside from the expected benefits of 3D output, the company says that having a 3D printer has been a hit with customers touring the company and a source of pride and continued inspiration for employees.  However, when push came to shove, the 3D printer proved that it could make a tremendous difference in business outcomes when the company went head-to-head with a competitor for the same customer.  Having a 3D printer available for quick turnarounds enabled suggested design changes and refinements to be incorporated in sequential prototype iterations – almost immediately.  This capability, which reflected well on the company’s design capabilities and responsiveness, was central to ultimately winning the account.  Indeed, the company reckons the 3D printer, which they have operated now for just over two years, paid for itself within just nine months.

In another instance, the “company” – actually Mansfield Senior High School, Mansfield, Ohio – adopted a 3D printer as part of a CAD class.  The results were remarkable in terms of firing the imagination of students and attracting many new students to the program. Now, designs become not only visible but tangible.  Minds have opened and enthusiasm has soared.  But that’s not all. Using the 3D printer put the kids in business running their own small-scale service bureau, TygerPride Prototypes, with customers around the world.  And even though students and faculty aren’t always on site, the machine is reliable enough to keep operating unattended nights and weekends.

Finally, when Stryker Development, the East Coast division of a manufacturer of medically compatible products (hip joints, for example) chose to adopt 3D printing technology, they didn’t immediately foresee replacing traditionally prototyping methods. After all, stainless steel was the standard and affordable prototyping devices simply don’t offer that as an output material. But when project time pressures forced them to reconsider they discovered that “good enough” was actually very good – and more than adequate for prototyping and demonstrations. Plus, the process was so affordable that making several prototypes (spares and “extras”) was no problem.

Lessons learned

The implication, of course, is that the advent of truly affordable 3D printing requires an effort at rethinking because the capabilities offered don’t fit pre-existing paradigms.  Of course, organizations can not expect to directly substitute 3D printing all their existing prototyping processes. But the over all message is that 3D printing is changing the way people do business for the better. Just as the idea of a business person “dictating” a memo to an assistant has been replaced by instant, informal emailing and instant messaging, so to does 3D printing imply a giant shift in thinking. The design process can now become more collaborative and less bureaucratic – not just faster, cheaper and better.

In the final analysis, organizations that open up to these new possibilities can leverage the capabilities of 3D printers for competitive advantage – perhaps creating positive outcomes they could never have envisioned.