3D PRINTING IS THE FUTURE OF MANFACTURING

Exploring evolutionary technologies, reducing waste, environmental impact, and innovating manufacturing, casting and forging processes.

introduction

3D Printing is the Future of Manufacturing

3D Printing is the future of manufacturing. It has disrupted manufacturing technologies and processes in Steel Foundry as we know it. It is forcing us to review our methods and processes for steel engineering and casting production.

The Manufacturing industry and other sectors are embracing the versatility and sustainable method of production.  With the growing availability, reduction in costs of the application, 3D Printing has become more accessible to small businesses, innovators, and entrepreneurs as a means for realising their concepts.

objective analysis

3D Printing vs.
Steel Casting

3D Printing originally came about in the 1980s, known as Rapid Prototyping, and now as Additive Manufacturing. (Kang and Ma, 2017). When going up against a long-standing approach like Steel Casting, it is easy to see that it minimises resources, reduces workplace hazards in the production process (See Table 1 below). However, a few limitations exist, such as size and materials. There is sometimes a time

differential, but that depends on the supply and demand of the manufacturers. Kang and Ma (2017) refer to 3D Printing as a magical technology that can supplement or partially replace the casting methods and processes. They state that 3D Printing is a manufacturing method that revolutionises the design process, assemblies, and parts, such as patterns, cores, moulds, and shells in casting production.

Table 1: Comparison of casting method and 3D direct Printing of metal parts (Kang and Ma, 2017, p7)

If Australia continues towards Self-Sufficiency with increasing local manufacturing, rather than importing from overseas. The impact will be a significant boost to the economy, by way of industry exports, increasing local spend, and creating new jobs for Australians. (Pupazzoni, ABC News, 2020)

potential industry output growth

$180b

Australia's gdp potential to add

$50b

annually

boost employment

650k

new jobs

EnvironmEntal impact

the carbon footprint
of 3d printing

The singular goal across all sectors of the steel foundry industry has been to reduce the impact on the environment, maximising the use of resources available, and create sustainable processes for production.

We are still utilising natural resources for steel casting and Metal 3D printing however, 3D Printing has zero waste compared to its counterpart, ‘Subtractive Manufacturing’.

Material is subtracted to realise the design, product rather than applying materials to create the products. The process already speaks volumes in that we are reducing the resources required for the manufacturing process. This is a positive step towards easing the supply and demand on non-renewable resources and conservation. (Campbell, Williams, Ivanova and Garrett, 2011). While not eliminating our carbon footprint, it is reducing the impact on the environment. 

Innovation

3D Printing as aN
evolutionary technology

3D Printing technologies are evolving the geopolitical climate of the manufacturing industry with its global shift towards empowering local production.

Countries like China, Japan and Germany that have built their prosperity and political power on export-led growth, especially of consumer products, could experience a relative decline as more production is shifted to consumer countries and demand for imports falls (Campbell, Williams, Ivanova and Garrett, 2011).

These technologies empower the local market with its ability to render designs and products into reality as needed, rather than importing from overseas.

source

reference

  1. Campbell, T., Williams, C., Ivanova, O. and Garrett, B., 2011. Could 3D Printing Change the World?: Technologies, Potential, and Implications of Additive Manufacturing. [ebook] Atlantic Council. Available at: https://www.jstor.org/stable/pdf/resrep0356 [Accessed 19 July 2021].
  2. Kang, J. and Ma, Q., 2017. The role and impact of 3D printing technologies in casting. China Foundry, [online] 14(3), pp.157-168. Available at: https://link.springer.com/content/pdf/10.1007/s41230-017-6109-z.pdf [Accessed 19 July 2021].
  3. Pupazzoni, R., 2020. Australia ranks last in manufacturing self-sufficiency but coronavirus may change that. [online] Abc.net.au. Available at: https://www.abc.net.au/news/2020-07-23/coronavirus-pandemic-leads-to-australian-manufacturing-revival/12481568 [Accessed 11 August 2021].


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