DMLS 3D Printing: A Quick Guide

3D printing technologies enable enterprises from various industries to produce production parts and functional prototypes without investing in extra resources. But engineers have to use specific materials according to their choice of 3D printing technologies. Direct Metal Laser Sintering enables manufacturers to produce spare parts and prototypes using a variety of metals and metal alloys.

What is DMLS 3D Printing?

According to ScienceDirect, “Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) is an AM technique for metal 3D printing. In this process, the metal powder (20 μm diameter), free of binder or fluxing agent, is completely melted by the scanning of a high-power laser beam. The resulting part has properties like the original material.”

DMLS is an industrial 3D printing technology. It belongs to the category of power bed fusion category of additive manufacturing technologies. It produces parts by melting metal powders or metal alloy powders completely using a high-power laser beam.

DMLS creates opportunities for engineers to print strong and durable functional parts using a wide range of metal powders and metal alloy powders.The metal powders differentiate DMLS from other 3D printing technologies.

What Metal Powders are used in DMLS 3D Printing Process?

While planning a DMLS 3D printing project, engineers have the option to choose from a variety of metal and metal alloy powders. They can choose from aluminum, stainless steel, titanium, cobalt chrome, or managing steel.

The metal material options make it engineers to produce parts using the appropriate metal. For instance, an engineer can create parts effective in resisting acid and corrosion by choosing stainless steel. At the same time, she can opt for aluminum to produce metal parts effective in resisting stress.

How Does DMLS 3D Printing Work?

Like other 3D printing technologies, DMLS printers create parts layer by layer based on digital 3D files. Engineers refine the digital 3D model using appropriate software to generate code that can be understood by the metal 3D printer. After preparing the digital 3D file, engineers fill the DMLS printer hopper with a specific metal or metal alloy powder.

The printer uses heaters to bring the metal powder up to the sintering range of the metal allow. It subsequently starts dispensing thin layers of the metal powder onto the build platform. The high-power laser form solid structures by sintering the metal powder selectively. The DMLS 3D printer continues dispensing and sintering the metal powder till the part is produced completely.

Once the physical printing process is over, engineers allow the part to cool fully. They remove the loose metal powder from the DMLS printer as well as remove the support before starting post-processing activities. They refine and treat the 3D-printed part by performing activities like surface finishing, machining, and heat treatment. DMLS 3D printing technology delivers metal parts in about 7 to 10 days.

What are the Common Applications/Use Cases of DMLS 3D Printing Technology?

Replacing Conventional Metalworking Technologies

Conventional metalworking technologies are not effective in producing parts with complex geometries. Many manufacturers invest in DMLS 3D printers to print complex parts directly using high-performance metals and metal alloys.

Producing Strong and Lightweight Parts

DMLS 3D printing machines produce single-component metals by melting metal powders completely. The single-component metal is effective in producing parts and prototypes that are strong, durable, and lightweight. Engineers can easily reduce the strength or weight of a spare part using the appropriate metal powder.

Improving Part’s Functional Performance

While using subtractive manufacturing methods, engineers have to focus extensively on manufactur ability. The focus on manufactur ability impacts the spare part’s functional performance negatively. DMLS 3D printing enables engineers to focus on improving a part’s functional performance instead of manufactur ability.

Reducing Part Count

At present, DMLS is used widely by companies in the aerospace and automotive industries. These companies leverage this 3D printing technologies for a variety of purposes, including weight reduction, complex part production, and mass customization. At the same time, DMLS creates opportunities for them to reduce the number of parts through integration and optimization.

Facilitating Customization and Personalization

Companies in the medicine and healthcare industries use DMLS 3D printing to produce bridges, crowns, and prosthetics. DMLS 3D printers create opportunities for medical practitioners to create custom prosthetics for individual patients. At the same time, they can use high-strength metals to produce prosthetics that patients can use over a longer period of time.

Providing Freedom of Design

DMLS, like other powder bed 3D printing technologies, provides freedom of design to engineers. As engineers are not required to use multiple tools and fixtures, they can produce new parts by experimenting with complex designs and innovative design rules. Also, they can customize existing designs and models to boost the functional performance of various parts.

What are the Pros and Cons of DMLS 3D Printing?

Pros

• Direct metal printing keeps the mechanical properties of the metal intact.
• Engineers can choose from a wide range of metals and metal alloys.
• Engineers can produce strong and durable metal parts without using additional tooling and fixture.
• Metal powders help engineers produce parts with dimensional accuracy and complex geometries.
• Options to produce parts with a smoother finish using finer metal powder.
• Manufacturers can control 3D printing costs by reusing metal powders.

Cons

• One of the complex industrial 3D printing technologies.
• Not popular with students and hobbyists due to the high cost of DMLS 3D printing machines and materials.
• Does not support large build volumes like other industrial 3D printing technologies.
• Engineers can produce parts and prototypes in weeks using this slow additive manufacturing technology.

Please read our blog “DMLS Advantages and Disadvantages” to know the pros and cons of this industrial 3D printing technology in detail.

Conclusion

Unlike other 3D printing technologies, DMLS facilitates the production of metal parts and prototypes. At present, DMLS 3D printing technology is used widely by enterprises from various industries. But the industrial 3D printing technology has its pros and cons. Leading 3D printing service providers overcome the limitation of DMLS 3D printing by monitoring the printing process and adopting several best practices.

References

https://www.sciencedirect.com/topics/materials-science/direct-metal-laser-sintering

https://www.protolabs.co.uk/services/3d-printing/direct-metal-laser-sintering/

https://all3dp.com/2/direct-metal-laser-sintering-dmls-simply-explained/

https://www.rapiddmls.com/what-is-dmls/

FDM 3D Printing Process

Additive manufacturing/3D printing is one of the fundamental technologies driving Industry 4.0. Enterprises leverage various 3D printing technologies to transit from Industry 3.0 to Industry 4.0. But some of these 3D printing technologies are used widely by both individuals and enterprises.

Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) is one of the 3D printing technologies that are popular with companies, startups, engineers, students, and hobbyists. In addition to being easy-to-use and budget-friendly, FDM 3D printing technology allows you to choose many materials and reuse the filaments.

You can use an FDM 3D printer to convert computer-aided design (CAD) files into solid three-dimensional parts. The machine will create the part by depositing thermoplastic filament onto a print bed layer by layer. But you must remember that FDM 3D printing is a multistep process.

You can customize and streamline the 3D printing process only by choosing the right printer, model material, and support material. Also, you need to convert the CAD file into an STL file. After completing the preliminary tasks, you have to monitor the FDM 3D printing process and perform post-processing activities to produce a part that meets your precise project needs and preset quality standards.

How to Plan and Improve the FDM SLS 3D Printing Process?

Select the Right FDM 3D Printer

Based on your predefined project needs, you have the option to choose from several types of FDM 3D printers. The FDM 3D printing machines differ from each other primarily in two aspects –mechanical nature and operational coordinate system. Hence, you need to compare the FDM 3D printers manufactured by different companies.

Combine the Right Modeling and Support Material

While planning the FDM 3D printing process, you must focus on choosing the right modeling and support materials. The modeling material will form a solid three-dimensional object, while the support material will provide support to the part as it is 3D printed.

You have the option to choose from a variety of modeling materials – ABS, PLA, PET, Nylon, PC, and TPU (flexible). Some of these materials are pure polymer, while others are composites.

Hence, they differ from each other in many aspects – printability, layer adhesion, heat resistance, impact resistance, and stress resistance. In addition to choosing the right modeling material, you must complement it with the appropriate support material.

Convert the CAD File into STL File

FDM 3D printer will produce the part based on a digital 3D model. But you have to convey information to the printer in the form of an STL file. You have to convert the CAD file into an STL file to provide information to the printer in the standard data transmission format.

Set Print or Process Parameters

FDM 3D printers allow you to set various print parameters or process parameters – layer height, build speed, nozzle temperature, build platform temperature, and cooling fan speed. You must decide the build volume and layer height according to the size of the part to be 3D-printed.

The desktop 3D printers support smaller build volumes than industrial 3D printers. If you are using a desktop 3D printer, you have to divide the large parts into smaller parts according to the build volume supported by the machine.

You can create the large part by assembling the small parts after the 3D printing process. However, you can customize the FDM 3D printing process according to precise project needs by setting or adjusting these parameters.

Start the FDM Printing Process

You have to start the FDM 3D printing process by loading the thermoplastic material into the 3D printer. The FDM 3D printer will feed the filament as threads and extrude the melted filament through extrusion nozzles.

Most FDM 3D printers feature extrusion nozzles that deposit the melted filament in both horizontal and vertical ways. The FDM 3D printer will function according to the parameters set by you. Also, it will refer to the STL file to deposit the filament in the right physical dimensions.

The melted filament will cool and solidify gradually after being deposited onto the build platform. But you can reduce the cooling time using fans attached to the extrusion head.

Remove or Separate the Support Material

Once the FDM 3D printing process is over, you have to focus on improving the surface finish by removing or separating the support accurately. You have the option to choose from two distinct support removal methods – standard and dissolvable.

You can remove the support material quickly and effortlessly by opting for the standard method. The method requires you to remove support material by cleaning the surface. However, you have to use needle-nose pliers and dental picks to remove the support material from holes, hollows, and other hard-to-reach places.

You can opt for the dissolvable method when the support material is soluble. This method requires you to remove the support material using the appropriate solvent. You need to keep the 3D-printed part in a bath till the support material is dissolved and separated. However, you must remember that each of these support removal techniques has its pros and cons.

Perform Post-Processing Activities

After removing the support material, you need to improve the 3D-printed part’s look, feel, and finish by performing a variety of post-processing activities – polishing, sanding, priming and painting, gap filling, cold welding, dipping, metal plating, and epoxy coating.

But you must remember that the post-processing activities vary according to the nature and requirements of the 3D-printed part. Hence, you have to combine the post-processing activities according to the 3D-printed part. At the same time, you must perform every post-processing activity accurately and efficiently using the appropriate toolkit.

Conclusion

FDM 3D printing technologies create opportunities for you to produce a variety of parts without putting in extra time and effort. You must focus on customizing the FDM 3D printing process according to the precise needs of each project. At the same time, it is important to improve the dimensional accuracy and print quality by implementing a slew of FDM 3D printing best practices.

However, you can save both time and resources by availing of professional FDM 3D printing services. The leading 3D printing companies use advanced 3D printers and allow you to choose from a variety of filaments. Also, you can customize the FDM 3D printing process by sharing important information related to the part or product required for your upcoming project.

About Aurum3D

We are amongst the major 3D printing service providers in Bangalore, India. We have been providing custom SLA, SLS and FDM 3D printing services to many major industries. Please feel free to get in touch with us for your custom needs, our 3D printing solutions experts will get back to you within one business day.

References

https://all3dp.com/2/cartesian-3d-printer-delta-scara-belt-corexy-polar/

https://www.hubs.com/knowledge-base/fdm-3d-printing-materials-compared/

https://smc-fluidcontrol.com/cooling-systems-in-3d-printing/

https://www.hubs.com/knowledge-base/post-processing-fdm-printed-parts/#support

How to Select the Best FDM 3D Printing Company?

While planning manufacturing projects, you have the option to choose from many additive 3D printing technologies. Some of these 3D printing technologies are more complex than others. Likewise, some 3D printing technologies are more expensive than others.

Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) is one of the simple, fast, and cost-efficient 3D printing technologies.You can leverage this mature and popular technology to produce parts of varying types and sizes. Also, you have the option to choose from a wide range of materials and filaments for FDM 3D printers.

Many companies and startups help you leverage this industrial-grade 3D printing technology in a variety of ways.Some of these enterprises supply FDM 3D printing machines, filaments, and spare parts. At the same time, some of these companies provide FDM 3D printing services.

Hence, you can shortlist many FDM 3D printing companies and startups according to your predefined project needs. However, you can partner with the best FDM 3D printing company only by looking for these important things in the shortlisted companies.

9 Things to Look for in the Best FDM 3D Printing Company

1. Part or Prototype

You improve the quality of the part only by choosing the right 3D printing machine and filaments. You can choose the right FDM 3D printer using important parameters like build volume, layer length, and dimensional accuracy.

Likewise, you need to choose the FDM 3D printing materials with specific mechanical properties. Before comparing and shortlisting FDM 3D printing companies, you must define the requirements of the 3D printing projects clearly.

2. FDM 3D Printing Machine

The leading 3D printing companies set up facilities with multiple FDM 3D printers. Also, many 3D printing companies supply different types of FDM 3D printers. Most FDM 3D printers available in the market use Cartesian technology. These 3D printers support smaller build volumes.

But you also have the option to choose FDM 3D printers with robotic hands that can produce large structures like residential and commercial buildings. That is why; you need to invest in an FDM 3D printer that meets the needs of your current and future projects.

3. FDM 3D Printing Materials

The materials for FDM 3D printers can be broadly divided into three categories – consumer, prosumer, and industrial. Industrial filaments are used widely by enterprises due to their superior quality. At the same time, consumer filaments are easier to use than prosumer materials.

The leading FDM 3D printing service providers allow you to choose from a variety of thermoplastic filaments according to your project needs. But you need to purchase the appropriate filaments when you opt for in-house 3D printing.

4. Designing Assistance

FDM 3D printers create parts based on digital 3D models. You can create digital 3D models using CAD software. But 3D printers require you to describe the part’s surface geometry in Standard Tessellation Language (STL) language.

You can create a CAD file and convert it into an STL file using several software applications. But you should check if the best FDM 3D printing company provides 3D designing and modeling services if you are not familiar with the software.

5. Industry Expertise

Most companies and startups provide online FDM 3D printing services. But some of the companies have built a reputation by providing FDM 3D printing services to companies in the aerospace, automotive, engineering, and medical industries.

If you are planning to 3D-print a niche product it becomes essential to consider the provider’s industry expertise and resources. In addition to evaluating the niche products 3D-printed by the company, you should ascertain its industry reputation by reading customer testimonials and reviews.

6. Lead Time

You can buy FDM 3D printing machines and filaments as well as get FDM 3D printing services over the internet. But the amount of time required for receiving the machines or 3D-printed part varies across 3D printing companies.

While comparing the best FDM 3D printing companies, you must focus extensively on the lead time. It is always important to finalize a company that helps you meet project deadlines by shortening the lead time.

7. Printing Costs

You have to incur both upfront and ongoing expenses when you decide to 3D-print the part on your own. In addition to purchasing an FDM 3D printing machine and filaments, you have to spend money on post-processing activities.

But you can curtail project costs drastically by opting for professional FDM 3D printing services. That is why; the project budget will have a direct impact on the selection of the best FDM 3D printing company. You have to partner with a company without breaking the preset project budget.

8. Customer Support

Customer support is an essential aspect of the FDM 3D printing services. While availing of FDM 3D printing services, you can customize the service by interacting with the provider’s customer service team. Likewise, you need after-sales services to use the FDM 3D printing service in the longer run.

That is why; you must compare the customer support provided by the shortlisted FDM 3D printing company. In addition to checking the nature of after-sales service, you should check if you can contact the company’s customer service executives through multiple communication channels.

9. Business Relationship

You can avail of FDM 3D printing services on demand for a single project or multiple projects. But you need to form a long-term partnership with the best FDM 3D printing company if you are switching from subtractive manufacturing to additive manufacturing.

You must check the reputation and reliability of the company to ensure that your partner will meet your organization’s evolving 3D printing needs over a period of time.

Conclusion

While planning an additive manufacturing project, you have the option to choose from many FDM 3D printing companies and startups. But you can improve the resolution, dimensional accuracy, and surface finish of a part or prototype only by partnering with the best FDM 3D printing company.

Hence, you should shortlist the FDM 3D printing companies and startups according to your precise project requirements. At the same time, it is important to consider these things or parameters to compare the shortlisted companies and select the best company for your project.

References

https://www.sculpteo.com/blog/2015/07/22/3d-printing-marketplace/

https://manufactur3dmag.com/how-to-choose-the-right-3d-printing-service/

https://www.weerg.com/en/global/blog/the-ultimate-guide-to-choosing-the-best-material-for-fdm-3d-printing

https://www.raise3d.com/academy/how-to-choose-a-3d-printer-2022-3d-printer-buying-guide/

How to Select the Best 3D Printing Service Provider?

3D printing technologies create opportunities for enterprises to save time and resources by facilitating rapid prototyping and low-volume production. Likewise, students, hobbyists, and engineers leverage 3D printing technologies to unleash their creativity and showcase their challenges.

But both individuals and enterprises have to overcome several challenges to make 3D printing projects successful. The high cost of machines, limited availability of materials, and complex post-processing requirements are often cited as some of the major 3D printing challenges.

3D printing service providers help both enterprises and individuals overcome these major 3D printing challenges. They help enterprise clients to overcome the lack of in-house additive manufacturing resources.At the same time, they help individuals produce a variety of items without investing in 3D printing machines and materials.

The providers customize 3D printing services according to precise project needs by combining the appropriate 3D printing machine and materials. Also, they improve print quality and ensure dimensional accuracy by deploying trained and experienced professionals. But companies vary from each other in several aspects, including the quality of 3D printing services.

You can make an additive manufacturing project successful only by partnering with the best 3D printing service provider. It is always important to shortlist companies that offer customized 3D printing services. However, you must compare the companies using a slew of parameters to select the 3D printing service provider for your next project.

9 Parameters You Should Use to Select the Best 3D Printing Service Provider

1. 3D Printing Technology

While planning a 3D printing project, you have the option to choose from many 3D printing technologies. But you must keep in mind the pros and cons of individual additive manufacturing technologies to choose the right 3D printing technology for your project.

Most 3D printing service providers allow you to choose from multiple 3D printing technologies – FDM, SLS, and SLA. Hence, you need to shortlist companies and startups that offer your choice of 3D printing service.

2. Material Options

According to your choice of 3D printing technologies, you can choose from many materials and filaments. For instance, you have to choose from different forms of powdered materials when you opt for SLS 3D printing.

Most 3D printing service providers allow clients to choose from a wide range of products while sharing project requirements. Hence, you should compare the materials or filaments supported by the provider according to your project needs.

3. Design Assistance

3D printers produce parts based on digital files created using 3D modeling software. You can use an open-source or licensed 3D modeling software to convert your ideas or needs into a digital file and share it with the 3D printing service provider.

But you need to opt for a provider that offers 3D designing and printing services if you are not proficient in 3D modeling software. The design assistance is essential to convert your ideas or requirements into a digital 3D model by experienced technicians.

4. Industry Expertise

You can ignore this parameter if you are getting 3D printing services to produce gift items, home decors, and similar non-industrial items. But you must use industry expertise as a key parameter to compare 3D printing service providers for industrial projects.

The expertise will make the provider deliver high-quality parts or prototypes that meet your project needs precisely. Hence, you should choose a provider that has experience and expertise in providing 3D printing services to enterprises in your sector.

5. Data Security

3D printing service providers require you to share your design or ideas needs in the form of STL files. You need to upload the STL file to their websites to convey your precise 3D printing needs. While uploading the STL file they allow you to specify covey various project needs by choosing the appropriate option.

But you can protect your ideas only by choosing a 3D printing service provider that uses data security protocols and advanced data encryption technologies. It is always important to evaluate the measures taken by the company to safeguard your ideas or inventions.

6. Lead Time

Some 3D printing technologies are faster than others. Likewise, certain 3D printing technologies require elaborate and complex post-processing. 3D printing service providers determine lead time based on specific project needs. You should choose a provider that delivers the 3D-printed part or product according to the project deadline set by you.

7. Price

Leading companies and startups these days offer customized 3D printing services at competitive prices. But you must remember that certain 3D printing filaments are more expensive than others. Also, post-processing activities often escalate 3D printing costs. You should compare the quotes received from multiple 3D printing service providers and compare the quotes according to your project budget.

8. Duration of Partnership

Individuals often need 3D printing services for a single project. But enterprises need 3D printing services regularly to create parts and prototypes. If you are availing of 3D printing services for a single project, you should not consider the reputation of the 3D printer service providers.

But you must consider the quality of 3D-printed parts as well as the reputation of the provider if you are planning to outsource 3D printing activities or avail of 3D printing services regularly.

9. Customer Testimonials

You can assess a provider’s reputation and the quality of parts produced by him based on information collected from various online sources. But you can assess the reputation and quality accurately only by reading customer testimonials. You can use testimonials and reviews posted by the customers as a key parameter to find the best 3D printing service provider for your project.

Conclusion

The steady growth of the global market for 3D printing products and services creates opportunities for you to choose from many 3D printing companies and startups. But you can make your project successful only by partnering with the right 3D printing service provider.

While shortlisting 3D printing service providers, you must use the predefined project requirements as the primary parameter. But you should use multiple parameters to find a provider that customizes3D printing services as well as focuses on improving the quality of the 3D printed parts.

References:

https://www.statista.com/statistics/315386/global-market-for-3d-printers/

https://manufactur3dmag.com/how-to-choose-the-right-3d-printing-service/

https://www.enggtechnique.com/resource/blog-detail/how-to-choose-right-3d-printing-services-in-india

https://www.enggtechnique.com/resource/blog-detail/how-to-choose-an-efficient-3d-printing-service-provider-in-india

12+ Cool 3D Printing Ideas in July 2022

July is one of the very wet months in India. The spike in monthly rainfall makes many Indians stay indoors and look for exciting activities. You can unleash your creativity and showcase your talent in July 2022 using a 3D printer.

Access to 3D printing machines and materials creates wonderful opportunities for you to produce many innovative and unique items from digital files. You can convert your needs or ideas into an STL file using several 3D modeling software.

Also, you can download ready-to-use digital STL files of your choice from many websites if you are not familiar with 3D printing software. Here are a slew of cool 3D printing ideas you should consider to make the most out of the rainy days in July 2022.

12+ Cool 3D Printing Ideas to Showcase Your Talent in July 2022

1. Braille Nameplates

People with poor eyesight often find it difficult to conventional nameplates. You can make it easier for them to read your nameplate and impress your guests by replacing conventional nameplates with Braille nameplates. You can use a 3D printer to produce Braille blocks. You can combine Braille blocks to create a nameplate that can be read by each person visiting your home.

2. Laughing Buddha Statues

In addition to enhancing your indoor decoration, laughing Buddha statues act as symbols of prosperity, happiness, and abundance. While comparing interior decoration ideas, homeowners these days combine different styles of laughing Buddha statues. You can use a 3D printer to create different types of Laughing Buddha statues from thermoplastic filaments.

3. Measuring Cubes

It is one of the cool 3D printing ideas for people who love to cook and bake. You can 3D print a measuring cube to replace multiple measuring cups from your kitchen. The 3D-printed measuring cube can be produced easily using a 3D printer and thermoplastic filaments. You can even 3D print multiple measuring cubes to gift your friends who experiment with new recipes.

4. Flower Vases

Along with adding light and color to your home interiors, flowers help you make many statements. While using flowers for interior decoration, you can transform the environment by using custom flower vases. 3D printers enable you to create stylish and appealing flower bases using multicolor thermoplastic filaments. You can easily impress your friends by gifting them with 3D-printed flower vases that stand out from the crowd.

5. Dinosaurs

After watching the movie “Jurassic World Dominion”, adults and children love the idea of adopting dinosaurs as pets. You lack the options to choose dinosaurs while giving pets as gifts. But you can consider 3D-printed dinosaurs as the perfect gift idea for such friends. Many websites allow you to download dinosaur 3D printing models in various file formats. You can download your choice of STL files and convert them into dinosaur toys using a 3D printer.

6. Hanging Birdfeeders

July is considered to be one of the best months for bird watching. You can attract many resident birds during the monsoon by placing birdfeeders in your garden. A 3D printer creates opportunities for you to print innovative hanging birdfeeders. You can watch the resident birds from your room by filling the container with birdfeed and hanging it outdoor.

7. Desk Organizer

While staying indoors during July, you do not forget to keep your home office desk organized. You can use the 3D printer to create all-in-one desk organizers with multiple slots and holes. The 3D-printed container will help you keep your home office desks organized by keeping pens, pencils, pen drives, and similar stationeries handy.

8. Smartphone Stand

While looking for cool 3D printing ideas, beginners often opt for smartphone stands. In addition to keeping your smartphone safe and handy, the stand will act as interior décor. You can impress your guests by 3D printing smartphone stands of varying shapes and styles using STL files available on various websites.

9. Collapsible Baskets

A basket makes it easier for you to store a variety of things. But you might find it challenging to store the basket when it is not in use. 3D printer helps you produce collapsible baskets of varying sizes. You can fold and store the collapsible basket seamlessly when the container is not in use.

10. Toothbrush Holder

You should consider this cool 3D printing idea if you are storing your toothbrushes in old coffee mugs. Use a 3D printer and produce toothbrush holders that become appealing home decors. You have the option to choose from many styles of toothbrush holders when you decide to get rid of broken coffee mugs.

11. Japanese Zen Garden

Unlike conventional gardens, Japanese Zen gardens keep you stress-free using rocks. They use rocks of varying types and sizes as tools to reduce stress. You may not build a Japanese Zen Garden in your backyard due to a lack of resources. But you can use a 3D printer to create a miniature Zen garden that can be placed on your desks.

12. Bottle Opener

A bottle opener is one of the accessories you can use every month. But you might find it challenging to find a bottle opener while opening a bottle. You can open any bottle instantly by placing bottle openers in various locations. You can use a 3D printer to produce several bottle openers in a short amount of time.

13. Pop-Out Business Cards

Over 10 billion visiting cards are printed in the USA every year. You cannot build business relationships without making your business card stand out from the competitors. 3D printers create opportunities for you to produce pop-out 3D printers. A client will be impressed when you present a 3D-printed business card that looks appealing and conveys a message just like a toy.

Conclusion

In July 2022, you can produce many appealing and innovative items by gathering cool 3D printing ideas from diverse sources. But you must focus on combining the right 3D printing machine and filaments to make the 3D printing project a success.

At the same time, you should improve the 3D printing process by implementing a slew of 3D printing best practices. The initial research will help you showcase your talent and hone your skills using one of the widely used additive manufacturing technologies.

About Aurum3D

We are amongst the major 3D printing service providers in Bangalore, India. We have been providing custom SLA, SLS and FDM 3D printing services to many major industries. Please feel free to get in touch with us for your custom needs, our 3D printing solutions experts will get back to you within one business day.

References

https://www.format.com/magazine/resources/design/3d-printer-designs

https://all3dp.com/1/useful-cool-things-3d-print-ideas-3d-printer-projects-stuff/

https://www.pixpa.com/blog/3d-printing-ideas

Challenges of 3D Printing in Healthcare

Healthcare is one of the industries that are being transformed by additive manufacturing or 3D printing technologies. Hospitals and clinics in developed countries already leverage 3D printers to solve recurring problems by fabricating patient-specific anatomical structures and complex medical devices.

Also, they leverage 3D printing technologies to deliver personalized services, speed up processes and curtail costs. At the same time, new and innovative use cases of 3D printing in the medical field are being created regularly.

We can assess the transformative impact of 3D printing across the medical sector from the steady growth of the worldwide healthcare 3D printing market. However, the growth rate of the healthcare 3D printing market will vary across developed and developing countries.

Many healthcare providers in developed countries already use 3D printers to produce a variety of medical devices and healthcare solutions from CAD models. But healthcare providers in developing countries are still not familiar with the widely used 3D printing technologies.

Also, healthcare companies face many challenges of 3D printing in healthcare across regions. They can leverage healthcare 3D printing fully only by overcoming a slew of challenges and barriers. We are highlighting some of these major challenges in implementing 3D printing technologies across the healthcare sector.

Understanding 7 Major Challenges of 3D Printing In Healthcare

1) Diseconomy of Scale

3D printing technologies are still at a nascent stage in many regions. Subtractive manufacturing methods still beat additive manufacturing technologies in the category of delivery speed. A hospital or clinic needs additional time and resources to manufacture patient-specific solutions.

In addition to producing custom anatomical structures, engineers need time for post-processing activities.  Hence, patients often find 3D-printed medical products too expensive.  Healthcare companies must focus on achieving economy of scale to make 3D-printed medical products accessible.

2) Formula Manipulation and Alteration

3D printing of drugs has the potential to transform personalized medication by customizing the pill size or filling percentage according to the dosage. But the efficacy of the 3D-printed drugs is impacted when the right raw material is not used or the drug formula is altered.

There are always chances that the drug formula might be altered by an employee or a hacker during the 3D-printing process. Healthcare companies must monitor the 3D-printing process end-to-end to produce accurate and precise drugs according to the specific health condition of the patient.

3) Difficulty to Mimic

Bioprinting is one of the most significant use cases of 3D printing technologies in the healthcare industry. Many clinics and hospitals use sophisticated medical 3D printers to fabricate biomedical parts for patients combining cells, biomaterials, and growth factors. But the outcome of bioprinting projects depends on how the printed biomedical parts mimic the natural organs.

Many researchers complain that medical 3D printers are designed with spray nozzles that are too wide. The wider spray nozzles impact the accuracy and efficacy of printed biomedical parts by adjusting the quantity of bioink. Also, they find it challenging to create bioinks by combining natural and synthetic polymers accurately.

4) Varying Dimensional Accuracy

3D printing machines and materials differ from each other in the category of dimensional accuracy. For instance, SLS 3D printing technology is more effective than FDM 3D printing in creating parts with higher resolution, accuracy, and precision.

Similarly, technicians replace flexible resin with SLA resin to print parts with dimensional accuracy. While 3D-printing medical devices and biomedical parts, technicians need to ensure 100% dimensional accuracy.

In addition to designing accurate designs, they have to monitor and refine the entire 3D printing process. That is why; they must combine the right 3D printing machine, materials, and support structures to ensure dimensional accuracy of 3D-printed biomedical products.

5) Multiple 3D Print Failures

Many healthcare companies switch from subtractive manufacturing to additive manufacturing to reduce the time and resources required to fabricate patient-specific biomedical parts. But all the3D printing companies and technologies have their own shortcomings.

Also, technicians can deliver the biomedical part on time only when there is no print failure. Some of the major causes of 3D print failure are overheating, over extrusion, under extrusion, filament clogging, layer shifting, and poor bridging.

Multiple 3D print failures have become one of the prominent challenges of 3D printing in healthcare. Healthcare companies have to deploy skilled technicians to monitor the medical 3D printing process continuously. At the same time, technicians must identify and solve the 3D printing issues proactively to print a biomedical part successfully.

6) Need for Highly Skilled Technicians

3D printing is completely different from widely-used digital technologies. Most physicians and medical practitioners still lack the skill and expertise to 3D print medical products accurately and efficiently. At the same time, the technicians proficient in 3D printing technologies do not understand the device specifications or drug formulas recommended by medical practitioners.

Hence, health care companies and medical institutions can leverage 3D printing technologies fully only by deploying highly skilled technicians. In addition to using 3D printing machines and materials efficiently, the technicians must know how to create biomedical products using additive manufacturing. Most healthcare companies currently find it challenging to find such highly-skilled technicians.

7) Lack of Regulation and Standardization

The absence of commonly accepted standards and regulations is often cited as one of the key challenges of 3D printing in healthcare. While switching from subtractive manufacturing to additive manufacturing, medical institutions have the option to choose from a wide variety of 3D printing machines and materials.

But none of the medical 3D printing machines are approved by regulatory authorities like the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Also, there are no laws related to the design and specifications of medical 3D printers. The lack of regulations and standardization increases the legal risks for healthcare companies.

Conclusion

3D printing is one of the disruptive technologies that have the potential to tackle many healthcare challenges in the world. But clinics, hospitals, and other healthcare companies cannot leverage 3D printing technologies without addressing many challenges.

They must collaborate with each other to tackle these major challenges of 3D printing in healthcare by developing methods of standardization. Likewise, they must create new cases by increasing R&D investment to overcome these barriers by creating new use cases regularly.

References

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/334490932_3D_Printing_in_Medicine_Current_Challenges_and_Potential_Applications

https://www.cybernetman.com/blog/3-challenges-to-3d-printing-in-healthcare/

https://www.rsna.org/news/2019/january/clinical-3d-printing-status-challenges-and-opportunities

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC7160453/

https://www.machinedesign.com/3d-printing-cad/article/21838078/the-challenge-of-3d-printing-medical-devices

https://3dheals.com/strategic-issues-of-3d-printing-in-hospitals-guide/

https://amfg.ai/2019/08/30/3d-printing-in-healthcare-where-are-we-in-2019/

3D Printing Business in India

India is one of the countries where additive manufacturing or technology is still at a nascent stage. But market forecast reports suggest that the 3D printing market in India has been growing steadily. Also, the “National Strategy on Additive Manufacturing (AM)” announced by the Government of India aims to drive and accelerate the growth of the 3D printing market in India.

In India, 3D printing businesses have been contributing immensely towards making various additive manufacturing technologies accessible to individuals and enterprises. They make it easier for clients to 3D-print parts and prototypes by supplying 3D printers, spare parts, and materials. Also, they help clients overcome constraints related to skills and resources by providing customized 3D printing services.

Every 3D printing business in India nowadays can leverage many business opportunities. Likewise, they can achieve and sustain profitable growth by choosing from various revenue models. We can divide various 3D printing companies in India into multiple categories based on revenue models. The categorization will help us understand how a 3D printing business in India contributes to popularizing additive manufacturing technologies.

How Does a 3D Printing Business in India Generate Recurring Revenue?

Manufacturing 3D Printers

Enterprises from various sectors invest in industrial 3D printers to facilitate rapid prototyping and low-volume production. Likewise, individuals purchase benchtop or desktop 3D printers to convert innovative ideas into solid three-dimensional objects.

The growing demand for industrial and desktop 3D printers creates opportunities for many companies to manufacture 3D printing machines. At present, many companies in India are manufacturing 3D printers to cater varying needs of individual and enterprise customers.

Manufacturing 3D Printing Materials

Engineers these days have the option to choose from a wide range of 3D printing filaments. For instance, they can choose from a variety of thermoplastic filaments while using an FDM 3D printer. Likewise, SLS 3D printers allow them to choose from a wide variety of powdered filaments.

Engineers always focus on combining the right 3D printing machine and filament to produce a part or prototype accurately. Many 3D printing businesses cater to varying project needs by manufacturing both conventional and new-age 3D printing materials.

Supplying 3D Printers and Materials

Many companies in India these days generate recurring revenue by reselling and supplying 3D printers and materials. Some of these businesses produce 3D printers and filaments on their own, while others supply machines and materials manufactured by leading companies.

They further supply machines and materials to customers across regions through their websites. In many Indian cities, customers lack the option to find local shops dealing in 3D printing machines and filaments. Hence, they rely on such resellers and dealers to get the desired 3D printer and material delivered in a few days.

Providing 3D Printing Services

Most Indian lack the technical knowledge and expertise required to 3D-print items on their own. Likewise, enterprises in India outsource 3D printing and rapid prototyping processes to save time and curtail costs. Many businesses in India generate recurring revenue by providing various 3D printing services to individuals and enterprises.

They allow clients to share their needs in the form of a CAD file. While uploading the CAD file, the customer also has the option to mention specific printing instructions as well as choose the 3D printing technology and material. Many businesses these days deliver FDM, SLS, and SLA 3D printing services to customers across regions through their websites. Also, they boost print quality and reduce lead time by implementing many 3D printing best practices.

Supplying Accessories and Spare Parts

While using a 3D printer, users need specific accessories to boost the printing process and print quality. Likewise, they need spare parts on time to use the 3D printer efficiently and continuously. Many 3D printing businesses in India generate revenue by supplying accessories and spare parts to customers through their websites.

They make it easier for customers to use 3D printers by supplying spare parts and accessories in a short amount of time. Some of these businesses deal in accessories and spare parts manufactured by international companies, while others supply items manufactured in India.

Selling 3D-Printed Items

3D printing technologies foster innovation and encourage creativity by converting digital files into three-dimensional items. A person can use the right 3D printer to create solid and durable items with intricate designs and complex geometries.

Many entrepreneurs these days leverage additive manufacturing technologies to sell innovative and customized home decors and gift items through their websites. In addition to allowing customers to choose from a slew of 3D-printed items, they enable customers to convert their own designs into 3D-printed items using the right machine and filament.

Offering Courses and Training Programs

In addition to making conventional production methods obsolete, 3D printing technologies create new career opportunities across industries. Many engineering students these days learn additive manufacturing to create innovative parts and prototypes efficiently.

Likewise, many hobbyists and enthusiasts look for options to learn the next-generation technologies. Many 3D printing businesses these days generate revenue by offering 3D printing courses and organizing 3D printing workshops.

Conclusion

Every 3D printing business in India can generate recurring revenue by leveraging various business opportunities and revenue models. But there are many businesses that increase revenue by leveraging multiple opportunities. For instance, many 3D printing companies in India these days provide 3D printing services, along with supplying 3D printing machines and materials.

While exploring business opportunities, entrepreneurs and business owners must not forget that additive manufacturing technologies have been evolving consistently. They can sustain growth in the long run only by allowing clients to choose from a wide range of 3D printing products and services. Also, they must beat the competition by meeting changes in customers’ needs and expectations.

References

https://manufactur3dmag.com/different-3d-printing-business-opportunities-india/

https://3digiprints.com/3D-Help/business-ideas-in-india.php