3D Print: The new business for companies
Sponsored Editorial
In the modern world of business, we are always looking for “the next big thing” to set ourselves apart. Enter 3D printing.
This technology is changing the way we think about product development - and the way we can innovate - for businesses of all sizes. We’ve gone from sci-fi to personalised 3D print in less than a generation. And no business that wants to truly innovate, cut costs and increase productivity can afford to miss it.
The rise of 3D printing in business
3D printing or additive manufacturing is a booming industry that has exploded in the past decade. Once purely used for prototyping, now it is booming with possibilities for end-use products across a myriad of industries. Think automotive, aerospace, healthcare, consumer goods, fashion and more. 3D printing has made a mark, influencing how things are designed, produced and brought to market in unprecedented ways.
Companies are attracted to 3D printing as a solution to create intricate designs with high precision and reduce waste and production time. The power lies in manufacturing only the products that are needed when they are needed. Unleashing the ability to create mass customisation based on the preferences of a specific customer group or the ability to seek out and capture market trends.
Cost efficiency and flexibility
One of the greatest benefits of 3D printing for companies is cost. Traditional manufacturing requires pricey moulds and a time-consuming setup. 3D printing can replace high costs with highly efficient methods, giving companies the ability to create items in short runs. This also provides the power to test out new design ideas more often and take them to market much more quickly because there is low cost and disruption associated with changing a product run.
Not to mention, the flexibility that 3D printing produces is next to none. With the power to try new materials and design a one-of-a-kind structure, you can change the innovation paradigm that many used to believe prevented them from creating. Now the power to think of the next great product is within your reach without the massive startup capital.
Innovation at its core
Innovation is the key to a successful enterprise and 3D printing drives innovation. No business has to limit itself to using traditional manufacturing techniques. With 3D printing we can think outside the box, or build new boxes in innovative ways, generating structures that take design to levels that would have been inconceivable with traditional manufacturing.
The medical profession is already producing bespoke implants and prosthetics that match precisely what individual patients need. When it comes to automotive products, 3D printing also allows companies to produce subtler and weight-efficient parts that improve the vehicle performance and can help reduce the negative environmental impact. The potential of this technology is limitless. Businesses that incorporate 3D printing are putting themselves up for grand success.
The future of 3D printing in business
The future of 3D printing in businesses is promising. With the technology getting more sophisticated with time, it’s become more feasible and cost-effective for companies of any size to adopt. Thirdly, technology will become a norm in more business operations, from product research to development and even the entire manufacturing process to supply chain positioning.
For forward-looking businesses, 3D print is something to look at today. The sooner a business can start working with this technology, the sooner we address new opportunities and grow and develop innovative products to lead our industries.
Embracing the future with 3D printing in your business strategy
In the end, it is an emerging technology that is here to stay. Businesses that figure it out and make use of it in time are going to make themselves stand out in the future. Whether that means saving on costs, increasing flexibility, or knowing how to produce unique, customised products, 3D printing will be helpful in multiple business functions.
