How 3D printing will change manufacturing |

As 3D printing takes the center stage world wide, it promises to revolutionize the way the world produces its products. One of which is the way the world manufactures its goods. While China is playing a predominate role in manufacturing products and shipping them to countries all over the world, 3D printing technology is leveling the playing field by placing manufacturing back into the hands of local manufacturing companies and everyday people.

According to information provided from Harvard Business Review [1], this new technology will allow machines to produce any object, onsite and as needed. Which means, there will be a large shift in the paradigm that will allow products to be produced closer to the point of consumer consumption or purchase. The shift does not only involve local manufacturing companies but production at the household level. For instance, the consumers may purchase the raw materials that’s needed for specific items, download the file, and print the item at home.

In addition to eliminating China as one of the dominate manufacturing sources for the world, centralized plants will also see a change in their manufacturing role. Instead of producing large volumes of products in a huge centralized manufacturing facility, the goods can be made and distributed locally. So, 3D technology will also lend itself to former times when most items were made and distributed within local communities.

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Keeping any operation running smoothly can be a challenge on so many levels. From operating an automobile manufacturing operation to running a trucking company, there is a wide diversity of parts needed on a continuous basis. With 3D CAD images machines onsite, the future will be dramatically different for business all over the world. According to Forbes [2], the new technology will offer rapid parts for operations that need them. For instance, when trucking companies need new parts for their vehicles, they may choose to make their parts onsite instead of ordering the parts from a supplier that is located overseas. This option may be used as the norm instead of the exception because large trucking companies will have access to the machinery that designs the parts in a fraction of the time. With these growing trends, over seas suppliers will eventually have a large reduction in the things that they manufacture for the world’s use.

Reduction in Prices

The costs of virtually every product has skyrocketed over the years. One of the major contributing factors is tacking on the associated cost of manufacturing and shipping to the products that come from overseas companies. However, with 3D technology the cost of these same products will be substantially reduced since the products can be made and distributed within local areas. Thereby, completely eliminating the added overhead shipping cost that is currently added on top of each item that is sold.

Marketplace for 3D Increasing

As 3D technology is being ushered into the mainstream, companies who want to stay on the cutting edge in their industries will have to follow the technology closely so that they are ready for this new era. In some cases, getting ready may involve making investments into companies that produce 3D technology software applications and hardware. This is normally a great move for companies who want to increase their profits by investing in the companies that support 3D printing and 3D scanning related functions. Therefore, they may choose to buy stocks in the companies that are on the list of major players in developing 3D machinery and 3D design copyrights.

Additionally, companies who are currently in the manufacturing business should prepare themselves by ensuring the expertise that they need is on staff. From professionals who are well skilled in developing 3D software applications to engineers who know how to develop various kinds of product designs, local companies must be prepared to take on their new role in manufacturing if they are going to remain relevant.

With all of the changes in today’s technology, people all over the world are advancing in virtually every industry. Even though there has been major growth in the past, the future is also very promising as well. As 3D technology levels the playing field by allowing the local production, China can also expect to lose their vast manufacturing footage since the countries that they service presently will become more self-reliant.

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