PRODUCT DEVELOPMENT | TECHNOLOGY
Accelerating the product
development process 3D printing continues to expand into the manufacturing environment. But prototyping and mould-making remain the main areas where moulders can gain benefits. By Mark Holmes
In the past six years the global 3D printing market has more than doubled. By 2020, analysts estimate the sector will be worth $3.1bn. In comparison, the global plastics moulding market is forecast to reach $690bn by 2023. While claims have been made for 3D printing/additive manufacturing to move into mass manufacturing areas, it remains the case that short bespoke production runs and, in particular, prototyping and product development will continue to be the mainstay of its market penetration. Nevertheless, 3D printing certainly has much to
offer the injection moulder. “While we cannot knock the level of innovation happening in the 3D printing space, in reality additive manufacturing is not the universal panacea it is made out to be,” says Nigel Flowers, UK Managing Director of Sumitomo (SHI) Demag. “Right now, it continues
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to perform strongest for prototyping rather than mass manufacturing. Looking to the future, there are exciting developments in both markets. Whether the current global trade wars and cur- rency fluctuations will accelerate demand for onsite production remains to be seen. Yet the idea that 3D printers are about to overthrow traditional manu- facturing techniques – including moulding, forging, casting, and even subtractive CNC manufacturing – is simply scaremongering. There is space for all of these technologies.” Cost is a major factor when considering which technology to opt for, especially in the production of plastic parts. “For manufacturing components in high volumes, 3D printing today is currently not fast or cost-effective enough to produce precision parts in large quantities,” adds Flowers. “Where 3D
Main image: Moveable
gripper fingers made of TPU, ABS and support material produced on Arburg’s Freeformer 300-3X
October 2019 | INJECTION WORLD 69
PHOTO: ARBURG
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