Additive manufacturing: Rapid production at a lower cost

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  Quantumrun Foresight
• March 13, 2022

Insight summary

Additive manufacturing (AM), a process that creates physical products from digital designs using 3D printing, is reshaping industries by enabling faster production and customization. Its impact extends beyond manufacturing, influencing areas such as education, healthcare, housing, and global trade, with implications for environmental sustainability, workforce development, and legal regulations. The growth and adoption of AM present promising opportunities while also posing challenges that need to be addressed to ensure equitable access and benefits.

Additive manufacturing context

AM is a process of creating physical products from digital designs and materials using 3D printing technology, enabling a new level of customization while cutting out waste and production delays prevalent in traditional manufacturing methods. Based on current projections, AM's impact on the manufacturing industry shows it has potential to reach a market of USD $250 billion by 2025. This growth reflects the capability of AM technologies to build products faster and cheaper, creating a promising opportunity for manufacturers to boost production while lowering costs.

In the industry, 3D printing and AM are largely interchangeable terms, as they describe the same process. However, the key difference is that 3D printing is predominantly used to build concept models (along with emerging applications in retail, medicine, and food), while AM uses more advanced techniques on an industrial scale. 

AM goes beyond traditional manufacturing methods by enabling increased flexibility and faster production, leading to new innovations. For example, AM technology is used for rapid prototyping, manufacturing, and repairs in sectors as diverse as automotive, medicine, aerospace, and even shoemaking. According to Research and Markets, the market for 3D printing is expected to grow from USD $5 billion in 2023 to USD $34.5 billion by 2028, with a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 18.1 percent.

Disruptive impact 

By enabling the creation of complex designs without the need for traditional molds or tooling, AM can lead to quicker production cycles and more customized products. This feature can be particularly beneficial for industries that require specialized parts, such as the medical and aerospace sectors. Over time, the adoption of AM may lead to a shift in the workforce, where new skills are needed to operate these technologies, keeping companies competitive in the market.

The environmental impact of AM is another area where significant changes can be seen. By allowing for on-demand production and reducing the need for large inventories of spare parts, AM can contribute to more sustainable manufacturing processes. This move aligns with the growing emphasis on environmental responsibility and sustainability goals within companies and governments. The ability to produce parts with minimal waste and the potential to utilize recycled materials further enhances AM's role in supporting eco-friendly practices.

Finally, AM's potential to lower manufacturing costs while increasing domestic production offers a strategic advantage for both businesses and governments. By reducing dependence on overseas manufacturing and enabling more localized production, AM can contribute to strengthening national industries and economies. This shift towards localized manufacturing can lead to more resilient supply chains, especially in times of global disruptions.

Implications of additive manufacturing

Wider implications of additive manufacturing may include:

• The integration of AM in educational curricula, fostering a new generation of engineers and designers skilled in utilizing 3D printing technologies.
• The creation of new marketplaces for digital designs and blueprints, allowing individual designers to sell or share their work, leading to a democratization of design and manufacturing.
• The potential shift in global trade dynamics, as localized manufacturing reduces the need for international shipping of goods, impacting trade agreements and policies.
• The emergence of new regulations and standards to ensure the quality and safety of 3D printed products, particularly in critical industries like healthcare and transportation.
• The possibility of reducing healthcare costs and increasing accessibility by enabling the localized production of medical devices and prosthetics tailored to individual patients.
• The potential for creating new employment opportunities in design, machine operation, and maintenance, while also leading to the displacement of traditional manufacturing jobs.
• The ability to produce affordable housing through large-scale 3D printing, addressing housing shortages and contributing to urban development.
• The risk of intellectual property theft and counterfeiting, as digital designs can be more easily replicated, leading to legal challenges and the need for new protective measures.
• The potential for governments to utilize AM in defense and emergency response, enabling rapid production of equipment and supplies in critical situations.

Questions to consider

• How can additive manufacturing further enable companies to improve technology and innovation?  
• Will the boost of additive manufacturing have a significant societal impact?