3D printers offer some significant advantages over other production techniques. One of the most important is the fact that you don't have to worry about how and whether production is possible during the design phase. But there are other important advantages over conventional production techniques:
Tool-free production, e.g. for rapid prototyping, sampling and concept studies
No additional molds, equipment or production facilities required
Demand-driven production possible from batch size 1 (on-demand production)
Large selection of different products (ABS, PP, PEAK, PETG, PEEK, PVA, PEI, PPSU, etc.) to adapt the material properties to the functional requirements
Frequently significant weight advantage over aluminium and injection-moulded parts with simultaneously high strength and rigidity (optimized by carbon fibre filaments)
Extremely high design freedom with the option of fast, customer-specific adaptation
Virtual design in the CAD system with a high degree of design freedom without the limitations of conventional manufacturing processes
Possibility of producing workpieces that are difficult or impossible to produce using conventional manufacturing methods
Minimal waste, low energy costs, sustainable production
Time- and cost-efficient work for prototyping and small series, modifications available very quickly
Different component variants for functional tests can be produced without high tooling costs
High production efficiency and cost savings possible by clustering several components in one printing process
The production of 10 identical components costs the same as the production of 10 different components - Advantage over injection molding: no additional tool costs for variants
Use of standard file formats that are recognized throughout the industry
Robust, compact design, only one power connection is required
Development of new products with 3D printers
Comparison of 3D printers and conventional development with injection molding
Additive manufacturing for prototypes and series products with 3D printers from CMC Maschinenbau