3D Printing technology still stays here and we have to pay attention to it. This technology is impacting on manufacturing, especially plastic injection molding industry. Recently, Stratasys Direct Manufacturing has just revealed a report on the current and future impact of 3D printing on manufacturing. The report was completed by surveying 700 engineers, designers and executives from companies committed to advanced manufacturing technology, 40% of who are from companies with more than $50 million in revenue. It shows us the basic things about 3D printing, its current and future state. Besides, according to Stratasys, this is also the only business report dedicated to 3D printing that is focused on insights from professionals. 

(Photo: 3D printed auto parts - Internet)

The report offers some interesting observations about 3D printing technology. By a large margin, the respondents of the survey ranked that reduced lead time for parts (76%) and complex design capabilities are the most important benefits of advanced manufacturing. When it comes to current advanced challenges, a majority cited equipment costs (63%) and limited materials (54%), issues that have often come up in our coverage of the technology. Manufacturing costs (38%) and post-processing requirements (39%) were also mentioned. As the report notes, "two of the top four challenges are financial-based, indicating that cost remains a barrier to implementation." Interestingly, the availability of a range of materials was also identified as one of the issues that would have the greatest future impact on the advanced manufacturing market. Materials came in third (10%) in that category, trailing mechanical properties (16%) and equipment cost (20%).

Respondents strongly believe that more end-use parts will be designed specifically for advanced manufacturing in the future. The aerospace and automotive sectors, which were early adopters of the technology, will expand end-use production the most, according to the survey. It is also worth noting that respondents anticipate substantial growth in advanced manufacturing applications by 2018 in the manufacturing tools, tooling and patterns, and trial/bridge production segments (see chart below).

While 84% of respondents said they would like to see further developments in metals, there is also pent-up demand for rubber-like materials (61%) and high-temperature plastics (61%). Beyond that, the interest in materials development for 3D printing are industry specific: Employees in the aerospace and automotive sectors were disproportionately interested in carbon fiber, for example, while those working in the medtech space wanted to see further research done on bio-based polymers.

(Source: Plasticstoday.com)