Take full control of your product and production with additive manufacturing

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At the start of this new decade, the industrial sector faces a new set of challenges poised to change the way we do business down to the core.

Globalization and environmentalism have left customers demanding other features than in the past.

Customer-specific customization is fast becoming the norm; informed customers are also increasingly asking for traceable and environmentally sound products. That together with the current pandemic is leaving the big-scale industry and classic supply-chains in the spotlight.

To match the new requests from the market, a new way to manufacture is needed. A viable solution for going traceable, small scale and local. An old solution for the new decade, a solution that will let companies take full control of their own product and production, additive manufacturing.

Additive today

Additive manufacturing, or 3D-printing as it is regularly referred to, is by many seen as a novelty rather than a serious production technology. However, I firmly believe it has the potential to be the technology of the new decade.
Although 3D-printing isn’t a new idea or even a new technology, the last few years have seen an exponential increase in the usage of technology in all areas of industry. In fact, according to Ernst Young’s global survey for AM 2019, the percentage of world-leading companies that have used additive at the end of 2019 was as high as 65% (1).

But how do you successfully implement additive manufacturing into your business plan? The possibility for rapid, in-house, production of functional prototypes is one of the often-praised advantages of additive manufacturing. This is often the first thing that gets implemented when a company starts using 3D-printers. This is undeniably a great use for AM and can give companies immense benefits.

However, to really take advantage of the technology, more than prototyping can and should be done. This is where most companies fail to do enough.

From my experience, I would say that the real value of AM comes when a company develops an understanding of additive manufacturing as a mindset. When they cease to only think about prototypes or a specific spare part that they want to print and instead try to see every part of their company and product with new eyes.

For example, the automotive industry has largely gone from printing prototypes to printing tools and fixtures in-house. Companies in the food industry have cut ties with classic spare-part suppliers and started printing their own spares for assembly lines. Small companies have started doing customer-specific products in both metal and plastic, small scale and often locally. Foundries have started printing casting molds for rapid on-demand production. And some figureheads of the industry have combined them all to totally change the way the work. This is the way forward with additive manufacturing.

Where do you start?

Looking at your company’s processes and products, try to find a handful of applications where AM seems like an “obvious fit”. These points are usually enough to warrant the usage of the technology and serve as a starting point. From there you can start looking for the big pay-out ideas. This requires a bit more savviness.

Processes specific design for additive manufacturing, or DfAM as it is often referred to, is a good way to quickly get ahead with AM. Thinking about how a product can be changed with the near unlimited freedom of additive. Parts can be lightened; complexity is free, and how assemblies can be built with fewer parts, etc. It is here you will find your niche in additive, and it is here you will find the value in the technology.

Competence gives you a head start with implementation

Knightec’s competence is perfectly aligned to help our customers to integrate additive manufacturing into their business plan, suggesting an action plan and support the implementation of the technology.

Our specialists in DfAM and value screening have all the know-how needed to make your companies transition into additive as easy and profitable as possible. Whether you want to start printing spares or revolutionize your product line-up. A special strength is our cross-functional communication, which provides support, internal and external seminars, and workshops, as well as comprehensive expert advice for complex assignments. Forward together.

Author

Jack Jonasson is the point of contact for questions about additive manufacturing at Knightec. With experience from both the academic and industrial sector, a specialization in product development, and a special interest in the business side of additive.

Reference:
1. Ernst & Young, 3D printing: hype or game-changer? A Global EY Report 2019 (Internet). Mannheim: EY; 2019 (Cited 2020 Sept 15)
Available from: https://www.ey.com/en_gl/consulting/how-additive-manufacturing-is-becoming-a-core-process-and-value-driver

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