How can you identify parts for consolidation?
When thinking about part consolidation with AM, the first step is to focus on the function of the assembly that you plan on replacing. Then you need to question the…
The benefits of additive manufacturing for part consolidation
AM is uniquely capable of producing complex geometries that can’t be manufactured using traditional methods of manufacturing. A mechanical assembly that would normally have many parts fabricated as separate components…
DESIGN FOR ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING
Design for manufacturing (DFM) has typically meant that designers should tailor their designs to eliminate manufacturing difficulties and minimize costs. However, the improvement of rapid prototyping (RP), or Additive Manufacturing…
Additive Manufacturing Application Trends
The development of innovative, advanced additive manufacturing technologies has progressed quickly yielding broader and high value applications. This accelerating trend has been due to the benefits of additive manufacturing compared…
7 Principles for Design for Additive Manufacturing (DfAM)
3D printing started in the 1980s and since then quite a few different technologies have developed. DfAM (Design for Additive Manufacturing) will be applied differently to different 3D printing technologies. Different…
Additive Manufacturing Advantages over Conventional Manufacturing
The growing success of additive manufacturing is due to its advantages over conventional manufacturing. However, these strengths often come along with certain weaknesses. The weaknesses provide opportunities for corrective action through…
5 Major Benefits of Additive Manufacturing
Since the introduction of 3D printing in the 1980s, the benefits of producing small amounts of complex parts have been well understood to manufacturers. With new technology coming out and…
What is Additive Manufacturing?
Additive Manufacturing (AM) is an appropriate name to describe the technologies that build 3D objects by adding layer-upon-layer of material, whether the material is plastic, metal, concrete or one day…..human tissue. Common to…
Rapid Tooling: Faster, Better, and Less Expensive
Don’t think of rapid tooling purely for prototyping or short runs. Additive tech is making it possible to produce steel tools that have decided benefits for injection molding and die…
What are the Different Types of Rapid Prototyping?
Stereolithography (SLA) or Vat Photopolymerization This fast and affordable technique was the first successful method of commercial 3D printing. It uses a bath of photosensitive liquid which is solidified layer-by-layer…
