The Impact of Additive Manufacturing in Product Development

In today's rapidly evolving technological landscape, traditional manufacturing methods are being reshaped by the innovative power of Additive Manufacting. Commonly known as 3D printing or Industrial printing, it is transforming how products are designed, developed, and brought to market. Learn how Additive Manufacturing is revoluionising product development and why now is the perfect time to integrate this technology into your processes.

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HIstorically, product development has been a linear process, heavily reliant on traditional manufacturing techniques like injection moulding and CNC machining. These methods, while effective, come with significant limitations, including high setup costs, long lead times, and contraints in design flexibility. Enter Additive Manufacturing - a game-changer that breaks these contraints wide open.

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Additive Manufacturing builds object layer by layer based on digital models, allowing for unprecedented customisation and complexity in design. This not only accelerates the prototyping phase but also opens up new possibilities for creating intricate geometries that were previously impossible or prohibitvely expensive to produce. The result? A more agile, efficient, and innovative approach to product development.

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Key Benefits to Additive Manfacturing

1. Rapid Prototyping and Iteration: Additive Manufacturing enables quick turnaround times for prototypes. Designers can rapidly iterate and test new concepts without the need for expensive and time-consuming tooling. For instance, 3D Systems offers the ProX™ series and Figure 4® platform, which are perfect for producing high-fidelity prototypes with fine detail and accuracy. These solutions drastically reduce lead times and costs associated with traditional prototyping methods.
2. Design Freedom and Complexity: Traditional manufacturing methods often impose design limitations due to tooling constraints. Additive Manufacturing, on the other hand, allows for complex geometries and intricate details that would be impossible or prohibitively expensive to achieve with traditional methods. Markforged exemplifies this with its Composite Filament Fabrication (CFF) technology, which enables the production of parts with internal gemotries and high-strength materials that would be challenging to create with conventional methods.
3. Cost Efficiency for Small-Batch Production: For low-volume production runs, Additive Manufacturing can be more cost-effective compared to traditional methods that require costly moulds and setups. 3D Systems' Figure 4 technology, for example, is designed for efficient, high-quality small-batch production, making it ideal for custom parts, prototypes, and specialised components without the need for expensive tooling.
4. Sustinable Manufacturing: Additive Manufacturing is inherently more sustainable than traditional methods. It generates less waste by using only the material needed for the part, and it often enables the use of recyclable or biodegradale materials. Markforged's use of composite materials not only enhances the durability or parts but also aligns with environmental goals by reducing waste and promoting sustainable practices.

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To harness the full potential of Additive Manufacturing in your product development process, partnering with the right technology provider is crucial. At Core Additive, we are at the forefront of this transformative technology, offering comprehensive solutions that integrate seamlessly into your development workflow.

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Our partnership with industry leaders such as 3D Systems and Markforged ensures that you have access to some of the most advanced and reliable 3D printing technologies available today. 3D Systems is renowned for its high-quality 3D printing solutions that cater to a wide range of applications. Their ProX™ series and Figure 4® platforms deliver exceptional precision, material versatility, and reliability. Whether you are developing intricate prototypes or producing small batches of functional parts, 3D Systems offers the tools to meet your needs with speed and accuracy. Markforged stands out for its innovative use of composite materials and emphasis on producing strong, functional parts. The Mark Two and X7 printers are designed to deliver high-strength, durable components for demanding applications. Their Continuous Filament Fabrication (CFF) technology allows for the creation of parts with exceptional mechanical properties and internal reinforcement, ideal for applications requiring robust performance and precision.

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Don't wait - embrace the future of manufacturing with Core Additive and experience the transformative power of Additive Manufacturing for yourself.