While 3D printers are used to optimize processes across the entire manufacturing cycle, they can also be used to directly produce end-use parts. For custom components at low volumes, 3D printing can slash months off of production lead times and massively decrease overhead costs. 3D printing production parts allows you to skip the Tooling Development portion of product development, compressing iteration time and shortening the wait between final design and production parts.

Additive manufacturing also removes many traditional manufacturing limitations, allowing you to eliminate design constraints and prioritize part function. Bypassing these compromises leads to simplified assemblies and improved part performance, all while utilizing less direct labor to produce parts.

New technologies are typically deployed to augment current methods. These new technologies often provide significant speed and profitability improvements. For example, 3D printing has been successfully used for prototyping components and parts.

But for several years now, innovative manufacturers of all sizes have realized significant value applying 3D printing to mainstream operations, both as an alternative and complement to traditional methods.