The new manufacturing industry revolution is 3D printing. This revolutionary technology is taking on manufacturing by storm due to its ease of use, accessibility, and low lost. Many people have an idea of what 3D printing is, but might not know how it works or how a printer can make products.  The easiest way to visualize how a 3D printer works is to image an inkjet printer that uses material instead of ink. So each time the ink cartridges run past a sheet of paper to distribute ink, rather than ink, it would be like a glue from a hot glue gun running past the sheet of paper to distribute glue. The 3D printer goes over the same spot multiple times to distribute material to its desired height and shape.

This technology, which is also known as additive manufacturing, is capable of creating things from apparel, to toys, to medical devices, to prototype manufacturing. The possibilities are really endless. So the question comes to mind, will 3D printing replace normal manufacturing? There are many factors that go into answering this question like the quantity to be manufactured, the material being used, and its functionality. Continue reading →