At the forefront of innovation in every field, engineers are always in need of new ideas to help them design, develop and make products. 3D printing is now a matured technology that may be the answer. It’s an additive manufacturing process that can create objects by adding material layer by layer until you have your desired shape.
Nowadays, apart from buying 3D printers, affordable 3D printing services are available for organisations to use, including engineers who are looking for ways to overcome the most prevalent challenges within the Singapore industry.
As the backbone of any sector, the engineering industry is responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining complex systems that range from medical devices to aircraft parts and components. For this reason, engineers need to work at their best in order for things to go smoothly.
However, with a shortage of engineers not just in Singapore but also in the region, this can impact the efficiency of many processes. Combined with factors including supply chain disruptions and sudden need for critical equipment – brought about by the Covid-19 pandemic, for example –, engineers of any firm can struggle to meet these demands.
More recently, there has also been much discussion about the importance of sustainability, particularly in engineering. It is now increasingly important for engineers to design with sustainability in mind. Engineers are now expected to create structures and products that use fewer resources and cause less environmental impact in the long run.
When it comes to both speed and sustainability, engineers can consider outsourcing their projects to 3D printing services for their expertise and speed.
Engineers in Singapore can benefit in many ways from 3D printing. The technology enables faster, more efficient product development cycles and the ability to print customised parts on demand. Additionally, 3D printing improves quality control and safety during the assembly process to continuously produce high-quality parts.
More importantly, engineers can stand to gain with 3D printing that leaves a smaller carbon footprint. Additive manufacturing in general offers a wide range of sustainable alternatives without compromising quality. With environmentally friendly attributes, the process of 3D printing uses less material than traditional methods, reducing waste significantly – all while using exactly what you need for your product. Compared to injection moulding, for instance, 3D printing can be adopted specifically for low-volume production needs.
Prior to producing your parts, your 3D printing services company will also correct any flaws that would otherwise require reworking if they were left unnoticed. This comes in extremely handy in the design and early development stages of a new product, eliminating the potential overuse of materials. As the technology continues to evolve, engineers will be able to take advantage of even more benefits.
From prototypes to final products, engineers – in aerospace, automotive, pharmaceutical and more – have found that they can use this technique for any project at hand without having to worry about time or budget constraints. Here are some examples:
Using HP Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) 3D printing, Invent Medical creates Talee, a cranial 3D-printed helmet that is comfortable to wear on babies with severe head shape deformity. Learn more about MJF 3D printing in Singapore.
Leading American drone manufacturer, Skydio, collaborated with Arris to produce lighter and more robust drones. Among other features, this enabled the replacement of a 17-part assembly with a single, multi-functional structure. Here’s more information on how you can make drones with 3D printing technology.
By integrating electrodes into metamaterials, MIT researchers can develop interactive devices like joysticks and switches which can be rapidly prototyped.
With exciting developments in store for engineers, 3D printing services can allow fast production in a fraction of the time while still maintaining precision and quality. Engineers of today can meet the above challenges head-on with help from a reliable 3D printing company like Additive3D Asia. Get in touch with us for more information.
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