3D printing has passed the phase of hype. More and more companies are experimenting with new business models and ways of working made possible by the deployment of this technology. But what is in store for us in this area in the near future? Experts within Ultimaker foresee a number of trends, three of which I will highlight here.
- Manufacturers are betting on local production and short delivery times
Many traditional manufacturing methods are cost-effective when used on a large scale, but create a high cost when you have a single item or part made. Moreover, manufacturing these products or parts is often so specialised that there are only a few suppliers worldwide, resulting in long lead-times. Therefore, 3D printing is soon cheaper when manufacturing small quantities. It can be applied in all kinds of situations: for tools and fittings, (spare) parts and prototypes. - Digital warehouse coexists with physical warehouse
The consequence of the above trend is that physical warehouses are partly replaced by digital ones. Such a digital warehouse is actually a library of printable files. As 3D printing lends itself better to some products than others, in 2020 many companies will start analysing which products it pays to include in the digital library and which are still best kept physically in a central warehouse. - Simplified production through 3D printing
Many manufacturing companies have problems finding new technically skilled employees. Especially factories, where technical knowledge is necessary due to the complexity of the work, are struggling. 3D printing offers a solution. By increasingly integrating the accessible technology into existing production processes, its deployment is becoming a no-brainer faster. The demand for 3D printing specialists will grow as a result. Fortunately, these people can be trained up faster.
Of course, there are many more 3D printing trends that we’ll be seeing this year. Which ones do you think are missing from this list? And which trend are you most looking forward to in the coming year? Let me know in the comments!
Paul Heiden for Making Industry
