One of the hottest ‘new innovation’ topics in manufacturing surrounds the process of '3-D Printing.’ The name can be misleading…it’s more a process of building than printing….but the process is both adding and changing steps in manufacturing.
With 3-D Printing, a design is scanned, along with all dimensions. Then the printer gradually deposits fine layers of material, like plastic, carbon or metal, and builds a physical object.
The finished product can be as hard or as flexible as you want the printer to make it, and even include moving parts rather than being a solid block.
Applications run from creating instant molds to short run production. But it’s greatest use will likely be in the creative process. If you can think it...now you can make it.
