How 3D Printed Robot Parts Ease Some Manufacturing Problems?

The three-dimensional services provide a lot of advantages in every industry it’s involved in. That is why the idea of having 3D printed robot parts is a long overdue. Several manufacturers are exploring the possibility of going all out when it comes on using 3D printing technology in the robotics industry.

 

Usage of three-dimensional technology is getting so popular that 40% of manufacturers are already using it. Additive manufacturing becomes the go-to mass production method for several companies specializing in robotic parts.

 

Let’s take a look at some of the positive effects of 3D industry in manufacturing of robotic parts:

Waste Reduction

Before the introduction of additive manufacturing (AM), most creators were using subtractive manufacturing for their robotic parts. Subtractive manufacturing refers to cutting off a pattern in a block of material. They’re using laser cutters to cut out the parts that they need. The excess from the block is no longer usable. Thus, there is a lot of leftover material.

 

On the other hand, a 3D printer uses AM to maximize the filament you need for manufacturing. The machine will only print the pattern you uploaded in the software. As a result, there is a 25% waste reduction after companies switch to additive manufacturing. 

 

This is a practical way to cost-cutting as you no longer need to purchase a lot of filaments for one project. You could also reuse the extra material you did not use after printing the parts that you need.

Versatility

Having reliable software that can easily modify any parts is also a plus point for the robotics sector. They can experiment on each part and test which is effective in a specific task. Robots are known to do a specific task that humans do everyday. It is only fitting that creators can test their design and change them if necessary.

 

In addition to that, the design is also flexible. Meaning you can customize it depending on your clients’ preference. It is a great feature especially in the robotic sector where aesthetics is also a big factor. 

 

You will save yourself a complicated process in modifying the project by just uploading it in a computer-aided design (CAD) software. After uploading, you play around with the design and functionality of your project. Plus, you can identify each part and the materials you need for the robotic parts.

Mass Production of Customized Product

Speaking of customization, the process before is that many manufacturers have a template that’s already installed in their machine. They can’t mass produce any design that is not part of their template. Some can offer it but it may take time to upload it in their database or manually produce it with subtractive manufacturing.

 

However, 3D printing allows creators to offer customization of their design while producing it in a high volume. It’s a nice marketing development for all manufacturers as they are no longer constrained with limited options for their design. 

 

Besides mass producing the customized design, they can easily store it in their database since it is saved in a CAD software. They can just pull up the file whenever the customer needs to mass produce the product again.

Faster Production Time

Developing a robotic design takes a long time and enormous effort to execute. Even doing a simple robotic arm requires several testing and prototyping before creating a seamless design. That’s why it normally takes a couple years before announcing a successful robotic product.

 

The prototyping alone eats up a lot of space in the work schedule. It normally takes 10 weeks to get a prototype of the product. Imagine how many weeks you need to spend if there are several errors detected in the first prototype of the design.

 

Now, you can get a rapid prototyping in just 48 hours. That’s 2 months worth of save time after you switched to 3D rapid prototyping. You can finish a design faster and at same time develop more 3D printed robotic parts in the future.

Accuracy

Aside from faster project making, 3D printers are also accurate when it comes to intricate design. You will have a high risk of design error when you use subtractive manufacturing because the lasers can’t carved out sharp edges in the block material. You will end up settling with simpler design with basic shapes.

 

However, 3D printers can accurately duplicate any complicated designs uploaded in the software. On top of that, there is a zero chance to have human error since the 3D printing process is purely automated.

 

Here are some of the 3D printers available that offers highly accurate result:

 

• Creality CR-10S
• Flashforge Creator Pro
• Dremel DigiLab 3D20
• Ultimaker 2+
• Ultimaker 2 Extended
• Snapmaker Original

 

Services Available for 3D Printed Robot Parts

Aside from rapid prototyping and 3D printing, here are some of the other services that you can take advantage of in the robotics sector:

3D Scanning

This service is beneficial if you want to duplicate existing robotic parts. You no longer need to manually recreate the parts. All you need to do is scan it using a 3D scanning machine. There are a lot of devices available in the market to convert your physical product into a digital design.

 

You also don’t have to worry about the size of the project. Some 3D scanners can capture even a high-rise building using an As-build scanning device. It allows the creator to get the actual dimension of any big establishment with a laser scanner.

 

There are also some portable scanners available like the Calibry Handheld 3D Scanner. It allows you to scan everywhere possible as long as there’s good lighting. These innovations make a great feature in the robotic industry.

Reverse Engineering

Reverse engineering is important as it identifies the functionality of certain robotic parts. This service allows you to recreate any purpose of a machine and apply it to your own design. It can determine how a device works and analyze the components of the design.

 

Applying this to the robotic industry will help them maximize the full potential of their design. They can easily apply different functions in their robotic design based on the previous reverse engineered model.

 

It is also easier now to do reverse engineering as it also happened in digital platforms. Computers can analyze the parts according to what you need to know about it. Once done, you can report the findings and make necessary innovation on your next model.

 

Where Can You Produce 3D Printed Robot Parts?

3D2GO is the best all-around 3D printing company in the Philippines. Why? Some businesses only offer you one service, like printing but no scanning. So you still need to look for another firm to do the scanning for you. But here, we make sure that we will cover anything 3D-related.

 

We can also offer low-volume 3D printing for any robotic manufacturers that want to showcase their design. On top of that we have state of the art 3D technology that will make your project better and faster.

 

Contact us today and let’s talk about your 3D printed robotic project!