Rapid prototyping and small-batch production are definitely among the fastest-growing branches of the manufacturing sector today.
Supported by advancements in technology, rapid manufacturing, CNC machining, and material science, can successfully craft and deliver unique pieces within fast time limits. That terminates downtime in production cycles and enables manufacturers around the globe to go through the product development process faster than ever.
The worldwide prototyping manufacturing industry is valued at an astonishing $12 billion, and it’s encountered fast growth at around 22.5% percent per year from 2010 to 2019. The rapid prototyping industry is expected to reach $23.8 billion by 2021.
Market forecasts for the next few years predict the manufacturing industry will benefit from the application of rapid prototyping technology, reaching a magnificent 33% market share by 2027. Related manufacturing industries are also encountering robust and continuous growth, with the 3D printing industry expected to reach around $33 billion commercial value by 2023.
The Industry Dependence On Rapid Prototyping Grows Continually
One important growth factor within the rapid prototyping sector is the continuous development of specific healthcare products. Above 98% of auditory prostheses manufactured worldwide are 3D printed. It’s because of the tremendous cost and time savings, and also the precision that comes from manufacturing every unique model using that method.
As specific medical apparatus become more and more common, stimulated by the growing medical robotics sector, rapid prototyping and small-batch production will only become more significant. Plus, a precise fit for custom-friendly robotic apparatus is principal to its performance.
In the aviation sector, rapid prototyping through 3D printing and CNC machining helps to reduce waiting time in production cycles. It also reduced the expenses associated with parts production of small quantities, by eliminating assembly line modifications and regular retooling.
In the robotics industry, similar cost-cutting benefits have been found. Manufacturers can place orders for custom plastic or aluminum parts or protective casings for initial robot prototypes, submit a CAD file, and have them delivered within a week. As a result, prototype testing and checks for proper fit can be completed faster, saving both time and money.
Photo from Pixabay
Technological Advancement Encourages Industry Growth
3D printing technology is advancing rapidly while becoming more and more affordable. Along the way, it opens up new opportunities for single-piece production by reducing the need for glued parts and increasing overall firmness.
The advancements in material technology are opening up a wide spectrum of materials in rapid prototyping, which enables the manufacturing of highly advanced parts (better and cheaper than the traditionally manufactured parts). While 3D printing’s effect on the prototyping industry is significant, other technologies also play their role in progressing the industry.
CNC manufacturing, specifically, is a procedure that brings greater precision to machining since the entire process is run through the mechanization of grinding, cutting, and similar tasks. A CAD model is uploaded into the CNC machine’s system, which identifies the required processes for machining raw materials like aluminum, ABS, or other plastics into finished pieces.
Because the CNC system determines the decision-making process about how to machine the materials into a desired finished piece, the chance for fault is reduced to zero, and all that is necessary for producing a part is a CAD drawing.
One more recent technology that improves manufacturing efficiency is cloud robotics to supervise the machine’s operations in manufacturing facilities. With the software being able to discover when a production machine experiences technical issues or runs out of raw material, the downtime is reduced tremendously. Plus, the profits and productivity are much higher.
Moving The Industry Forward
Today’s every good production company brings the most recent manufacturing technology and innovations to the rapid prototyping sector. Furthermore, every good company must specialize in providing high-precision prototypes for a short amount of time. Usually, the delivery of the completed prototypes should be in a maximum of a week from the customer’s request.
The manufacturing companies also should be able to handle different materials and offer various manufacturing methods such as CNC Machining, Sheet Metal Prototyping, Mold Making, Rapid Metal Casting, Prototype Surface Finishing, and Rapid Injection Molding.
The adaptability will allow them to build prototypes that precisely match the specifications of planned mass-produced parts, allowing clients to test out the specs and performance of their ordered prototypes.
With millions of projects for technology companies, automotive manufacturers, medical companies, and much more. The rapid prototyping manufacturers unite experience with advanced manufacturing methods in order to deliver the most accurate and high-quality prototypes they can.
Final Words
If you’re a manufacturer, it’s vital to have a modern approach and implement new technologies as soon as possible. It ultimately helps every manufacturer become more competitive and profitable on the market.