3D Printing Makes Functional Prototypes an Indispensable Tool in Different Industries

 

 Additive Manufacturing or better known as 3D printing is taking the world by storm. Industries are taking advantage of this technology to streamline their production. Whether for testing new innovation or add-ons to their existing product. 

At best, making or in this case, printing their brain child into realities. Complete with how they envisioned it to be and aesthetically pleasing at the same time.

3D printed rapid prototyping is maximized in its full potential in automotive, medical, wearable technologies, sports equipment, and surprisingly music instrument makers. 

 

Functional Prototypes is the Future

3D printed prototypes are not merely just that, a prototype. Industry players understand how to maximize these 3D printed parts. As a result, these prototypes are not only for presentation and design improvements. 

They go beyond the look and feel of the prototype. It became functional that works as they intended it to be. Thus the birth of 3D printed functional prototypes.

 

What Are Functional Prototypes?

This is a prototype which can simulate realistically the mechanical functions for end use. It can also mimic utility and functions of the product. Adding to that, it is also ready for tough-testing. To test how it would fare against a controlled environment. 

In early stages, manufacturers, designers, and engineers can now assess usability, ergonomics, manufacturability, and materials testing. 

 

Advantages of Functional Prototypes

 

Cost Saving

Traditional production of a prototype usually costs thousands. Traditional prototypes do not offer much except the external design. While in 3D printing processes such as rapid prototyping, it is much more affordable. Complete with the practical design a client wants it to be even the post processing. 

 

Applies Improvements in an Instant

A product design that is perfect in the first prototype is rare. In most cases, products go through an extensive process of testing and change just to create a prototype. Before their designs turn into the final product and up for mass production. 

3D printing enables such a tedious process to speed up. Iteration in the design is easily changeable via updating the product’s CAD file or the 3D model. As a result, the process of testing, changing, and refining a design is now doable in a matter of days. Thanks to 3D printing.

 

Seamless Work with CAD

CAD is the go-to design software in any industry. Nowadays, CAD files can be uploaded directly into 3D printer software. CAD files can be exported into 3D software and vice versa. 

This CAD file can now become a 3D model and  immediately be 3D printed. This eliminates the extra time and cost to program other machine tools.  CAD becomes more user-friendly as the years go by. This makes the program more accessible to people without design and drafting experience. 

 

Flexible Material Choices

3D printing has proven its vast use in every industry. This technology has been widely used by businesses and consumers. This results in the wide selection of 3D printer filament types. To which clients can choose their own materials where they can print their designs. 

The practical advantage of such wide selection is people can experiment with which best materials they can use. In most cases, the same machine can be used for different types of filament users want to try.

 

Uses of 3D Printed Functional Prototypes in Different Industries

 

Automotive 

Ford and General Motors enjoy this innovation in 3D printing. Ford Motor Company uses 3D printing to prototype new tools and selected car parts. As an example, they 3D printed a functional prototype of plastic caps used for its engine vacuum tests.

Meanwhile, GM uses 3D printed functional prototypes to check form and fit. One practical example of such is they 3D printed the brake cooling ducts used for the development of Chevrolet Corvette. 

 

Sports

COBRA is known for their top-of-the-line golf clubs. Now they also became a pioneer in using 3D printing in their major products. This was made possible via the launch of their Limited Edition KING Supersport-35 putter. 

This product was made possible by using 3D printers. As functional prototypes were made and used to turn this product into perfection. Use of this technology enables their engineers and designers to test, iterate multiple prototypes to achieve the desired results. 

 

Medicine

People with Parkinson’s Disease suffer by just doing simple tasks. One example is taking a pill from a traditional pill bottle like what happened with Jimmy Choi. 

This is a mass initiative where people worked together to create a pill bottle for him. Using 3D printers. Functional prototypes were made to suit the best design for people like Choi. 

One successful design is made by Alldridge. The user turns a knob on the bottom of the pill bottle to isolate a single pill. Then they can pop the pill straight into their mouth from the bottle. 

3D printed prototypes of different designs were sent to Choi for him to test out and Alldridge’s was the best. Designs and functionality were made and 3D printed to be tested out. Now they create such pill bottles to be given to people with the same disease around the world. 

 

 

Predictions for 3D Printed Functional Prototypes

Additive manufacturing frees manufacturers to tinkers from the tyranny of tooling. 3D models are not just for the aesthetics and just a mere add-on as a prototype. 

 

3D Printed Functional Prototypes will be more math and physics driven

As rapid prototyping also tests the utility of the design itself, integration of math and physics in the design process will take the spotlight. This will enable a more sophisticated design. As specifications such as weight, functionalities, and external designs are possible. 

 

3D Printed Functional Prototypes will be more intended for end use parts

3D printing is proven as more affordable compared to traditional manufacturing. This in turn will change the status quo as manufacturers will use more 3D printers in the future. This will bridge the gap between end-use markets and spare parts. As well as introduction of new markets to take advantage of this new business opportunities. 

 

3D Printed Functional Prototypes will be the products people use everyday

The future holds bright possibilities for 3D printing. 3D printed products will become the go-to when it comes to mass production. These products would be more suitable for people to use. As how designers and manufacturers intended it to be. 

 

3D2GO Prints Functional Prototypes

 

With the advent of functional prototyping thanks to 3D printing, businesses and people alike can use this to the fullest. Good thing, such amazing technology is not only available in the west. 

This can be made here as well via 3D3GO. The Philippines’ only 3D company that offers end-to-end services. With our latest 3D printers, we can 3D print your product’s prototype in a jiffy. We offer the following services:

• Stereolithography (SLA) 
• Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)
• 3D printing

We can shorten your product testing in a matter of days. At a fraction of the price. Maximize this time to change your designs into perfection. Need a hand to turn or print your designs into reality? Contact us now today. We are glad to be of help!