# How an advanced manufacturing technology can make your business more 3-dimensional
Author:  Pal Sinha, Barnali 
Author URL: https://financedigest.com/author/pal-sinha-barnali
Published: 2016-11-01
Category: TECHNOLOGY
Category URL: https://financedigest.com/category/technology
Meta Title: How 3D Printing is Revolutionising Manufacturing
Meta Description: Discover how additive manufacturing is transforming industries like aerospace, automotive, and more, offering competitive advantages and innovative solutions.
URL: https://financedigest.com/how-an-advanced-manufacturing-technology-can-make-your-business-more-3-dimensionalhtml

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**_Damian Hennessey, D_** _irector, Proto Labs_

Preconceived notions of mass production are being redefined by additive manufacturing, the process perhaps better known as 3D printing. At the forefront of the so-called ‘Fourth Industrial Revolution’, the development of the technology has seen elements of modern housing, cars, aeroplanes, food, and even – perhaps ironically – parts of HP’s new 3D printer being 3D printed.

Despite being perceived as a consumer-centric technology for many years, business leaders are now increasingly aware of the [opportunities presented](https://www.financedigest.com/why-sustainability-presents-one-of-the-greatest-opportunities-for-the-financial-services-industry.html "Why sustainability presents one of the greatest opportunities for the Financial Services industry") by 3D printing. Advanced manufacturing processes such as stereolithography, direct metal laser sintering, and selective laser sintering, offer companies across multiple industries the chance to gain [competitive advantages](https://www.financedigest.com/ai-holds-the-key-for-both-competitive-advantage-and-risk-mitigation-in-2022.html "AI holds the key for both competitive advantage and risk mitigation in 2022") and a bigger piece of the market.

But rather than being a replacement for existing large manufacturing routines, the [application of 3D printing can be considered appropriate for a number of more intricate processes](https://www.financedigest.com/chemical-process-mixers-industry-2021-includes-the-major-application-segments-and-size-in-the-global-market-to-2028.html "Chemical Process Mixers Industry 2021 Includes The Major Application Segments And Size In The Global Market To 2028"). Some [hearing aid](https://www.financedigest.com/cyclic-innovation-to-drive-the-hearing-aids-market.html "Cyclic innovation to drive the Hearing Aids Market") manufacturers, for example,have employed the technology to construct custom-designed hearing aids to the exact geometric specification of an individual patient’s ear.

At its most basic, 3D printing [technology will enable rapid design cycles which can both reduce time and improve](https://www.financedigest.com/how-technology-is-improving-car-safety.html "How technology is improving car safety") designs within a given time frame. And optimising a [product’s design through the use of a preliminary 3D printed](https://www.financedigest.com/sports-and-athletic-insole-market-players-eye-custom-and-3-d-printed-products-for-performance-optimization-says-future-market-insights.html "Sports and Athletic Insole Market Players Eye Custom and 3-D Printed Products for Performance Optimization, Says Future Market Insights") model can reduce overall costs, which can certainly be beneficial when a business does not intend to use 3D printing for the end process itself.

[**Transforming industry**](https://www.financedigest.com/signal-transformer-market-one-the-most-booming-industry-in-upcoming-years-due-to-global-demand-in-industry-by-2027.html "Signal Transformer Market| One the Most Booming Industry in Upcoming Years Due to Global Demand in Industry by 2027")

3D printing has really taken off in the aerospace and [airline industries](https://www.financedigest.com/airline-body-iata-sees-industry-recovery-now-in-2023.html "Airline body IATA sees industry recovery now in 2023"). So much so, in fact, that the UK government [recently pledged £100 million to boost technological innovation](https://www.financedigest.com/u-s-lighting-products-market-recent-strategies-trends-technology-innovation-analysis-application-by-tmr.html "U.S. Lighting Products Market: Recent Strategies, Trends, Technology Innovation, Analysis Application by TMR") within the aerospace sector, an investment partly encouraged by the strong potential of 3D printing.

A [key part of the technology’s appeal is its potential](https://www.financedigest.com/modified-starch-market-potential-growth-share-demand-and-analysis-of-key-players-forecasts-to-2032.html "Modified Starch Market Potential Growth, Share, Demand and Analysis of Key Players – Forecasts to 2032") to limit spending on expensive resources. Boeing-Lockheed Martin, for example,launched a joint venture alongside United Launch Alliance, which collectively [reported a saving of $1 million](https://www.financedigest.com/whatsapp-bans-2-4-million-indian-accounts-in-july-monthly-report.html "WhatsApp bans 2.4 million Indian accounts in July – monthly report") in a year. Several other aircraft manufacturers have since [followed suit](https://www.financedigest.com/why-google-is-never-closed-for-maintenance-and-how-banks-can-follow-suit.html "Why Google is never closed for maintenance and how banks can follow suit"), replacing traditional fixtures with 3D-printed plastic parts.

Airline [manufacturers are constantly seeking new and innovative technologies](https://www.financedigest.com/technology-skills-and-servitization-a-brighter-future-for-manufacturing.html "TECHNOLOGY, SKILLS AND SERVITIZATION: A BRIGHTER FUTURE FOR MANUFACTURING?") which they can implement to reduce weight and emissions, as well as to increase cargo capacity. An increased focus on 3D printing, which allows the testing of smaller and lighter components, will [enable aerospace companies](https://www.financedigest.com/game-company-roblox-enabled-girls-sexual-exploitation-lawsuit-claims.html "Game company Roblox enabled girl’s sexual exploitation, lawsuit claims") not only to perform better, but also to reduce emissions and give back to the environment. Recently, for example, Boeing confirmed that it would use 3D printed thermoplastics for composite [aircraft parts and fittings for cabin interiors](https://www.financedigest.com/u-s-automotive-and-aircraft-interior-genuine-leather-aftermarket-is-expected-to-push-sales-at-3-6-cagr-with-the-market-valuation-reaching-us-11-1-bn-in-2031.html "U.S. Automotive and Aircraft Interior Genuine Leather Aftermarket is expected to push sales at 3.6% CAGR, with the market valuation reaching US$ 11.1 Bn in 2031"), which would drastically reduce both the weight of an aircraft as well as its production costs.

Elsewhere, the [automotive sector](https://www.financedigest.com/the-evtol-aircraft-market-to-create-turbulence-in-automotive-sector-at-a-cagr-of-21-3-between-2021-and-2031.html "The EVTOL Aircraft Market to create turbulence in automotive sector at a CAGR of 21.3% between 2021 and 2031") is being transformed by practices such as ‘light-weighting’. Meeting compliance rules and regulations [revolving around](https://www.financedigest.com/the-next-upcoming-years-to-witness-the-aneurysm-clips-market-revolving-around-constructive-innovation.html "The Next Upcoming Years To Witness The Aneurysm Clips Market Revolving Around Constructive Innovation") EU environmental protocols is becoming a greater issue in car manufacturing, and reducing the weight of various automotive components will set companies on the right path to hitting these targets. Rear view mirrors are now being produced with a form of lightweight magnesium frame and a plastic shell, for example, whereas these parts were once heavy enough to hammer a nail into a piece of wood. Indeed, 3D printing is so beneficial to automotive companies that the industry is [expected to invest](http://www.researchandmarkets.com/research/j957gm/additive) $2.3 billion in the technology by 2021.

**Shifting sands**

In the UK, the government has made plans to support the advanced [manufacturing industry](https://www.financedigest.com/heightened-interest-in-global-cuisines-to-brighten-the-expansion-prospects-of-herbs-and-spices-manufacturers-industry-predicted-to-rise-at-3-6-cagr-future-market-insights-inc.html "Heightened Interest in Global Cuisines to Brighten the Expansion Prospects of Herbs and Spices Manufacturers: Industry Predicted to Rise at 3.6% CAGR | Future Market Insights Inc. ") in an effort to develop the technology and, therefore, the scope and range for the possibilities of its use. For example, the Department for Business, Innovation & Skills has [launched a competition in which UK manufacturing businesses can apply for a share of £15 million in funding](https://www.financedigest.com/uk-launches-270-million-pound-fund-to-support-green-heating-technology.html "UK launches 270 million pound fund to support green heating technology"), an initiative certain to raise the profile of the UK manufacturing industry, especially given the current economic climate.

Finally, it’s worth considering that, at the same [time as the technology employed by manufacturers](https://www.financedigest.com/why-manufacturers-mustnt-lose-their-green-focus-in-troubled-times.html "WHY MANUFACTURERS MUSTN’T LOSE THEIR GREEN FOCUS IN TROUBLED TIMES") is developing, so too are the expectations of their customers.

As their [customers become more accustomed to instant services](https://www.financedigest.com/why-banks-need-to-embrace-ai-first-customer-service.html "Why Banks Need to Embrace AI-First Customer Service") and transactions, organisations must begin investing in specialised core services that will enable them to operate in a more streamlined and efficient way.

3D printing offers the versatility and opportunity needed to deliver [cost savings](https://www.financedigest.com/how-omnichannel-identity-servers-help-enterprises-enhance-customer-experience-unlock-cost-savings-and-accelerate-time-to-market.html "How omnichannel identity servers help enterprises enhance customer experience, unlock cost savings and accelerate time to market") to an industry increasingly focussed on delivering more effective products and services, in a faster and more efficient way.

The ‘Fourth Industrial Revolution’ is right on our doorstep. It’s time to embrace it.


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