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June 6, 2022Why Should Rapid Prototyping Services be Implemented in the Agricultural Industry?
Rapid prototyping services help a lot of industries in making their designing faster and more efficient.
There’s a farmer in Myanmar who uses additive manufacturing to improve some existing tools they have.
They’re previously using a CNC machine to prototype their tools. However, the previous process is slow and expensive at the same time.
With this in mind, why is it important to use 3D Rapid Prototyping in the Agriculture Industry?
We’ll give you 5 reason:
- Cost evaluation
- Fit assessment
- Modification of the initial design
- Material performance assessment
- Optical testing
1. Cost Evaluation
It’ll be easier to assess how much you will need to spend on manufacturing tools when you do rapid prototyping first.
It is because filaments used in rapid prototyping are more affordable compared to the actual material of the tools. Especially if you will use a metal as your main filament on the final product.
On top of that, it is easier to modify the design if you have a prototype ready immediately. It means you will save more money if you have a shorter time working on the project.
You also don’t need to spend too much on labor in rapid prototyping since it is fully automated using a 3D printer. Thus, you will reduce the manpower cost of your project.
2. Fit Assessment
When you’re doing an assembly of different parts, it’ll be hard to create the exact dimension of each part. You need to do multiple trial and error processes just to get the perfect fit.
That’s why having a 3D rapid prototyping can make this process easier. On top of that, you can get a faster replacement just in case the first model does not fit with the design.
Moreover, there’s a minimum chance of any error in dimension since you will put all the measurements in the computer. The computer will be the one to set it on the printer based on your input.
3. Modification of the Initial Design
Normally it takes a couple of months before you can get a prototype of your design. That’s when you’re using other methods such as subtractive manufacturing.
However, 3D rapid prototyping made it easier to do changes on your design since you can get a new model the next day.
You don’t have to worry about prolonging the project if you have too many revisions. It only takes 8 – 15 hours to produce a 3D rapid prototype.
Besides, it is easier to improve any existing product as well since you can do it using special software. The computer can analyze if the design you have can actually work as a physical model.
4. Material performance assessment
Once you get the rapid prototyping model, you can immediately test the effectiveness of the design. It is guaranteed that all parts work since you did every component over the computer.
You can test the design in all sorts of situations especially if it requires it to last through harsh conditions. Some farming tools are meant to be sturdy.
So, you can easily test that out and make necessary changes once you determine its weak point.
5. Optical Testing
After testing the effectiveness of the model, you also need to check its overall appearance. It is important especially if you’re aiming to mass produce and market the product.
It might be two different tasks when you do a prototype and post process the model. However, a 3D printer can actually create a colored prototype of your design.
In addition to that, you can already see the appearance of your project before printing since you can modify the color in the computer.
All these features are helpful in improving not only the efficiency of the work but also the quality of the final product.
Applications of 3D Printing and Rapid Prototyping Service in the Agriculture Sector
Now that we already know the advantages of using rapid prototyping in agriculture sector, let’s take a look at some of its applications:
Manufacturing Tools
One of the key advantages of the three-dimensional technology is its ability to make customization on anything.
Any custom agricultural tools cost a fortune which is not practical for any farmers.
That’s why having a printer-ready design that you can change based on your preference is great for any farmers.
They can customize the shape and dimension of tools to fit with their specific land condition.
You no longer need to have molds for the tools as you can just save everything through a computer file.
Logistics are also easier since you can forward the design on the internet using cloud storage.
Urban Farming
Urban farming is becoming more common due to the growing population and fewer available land for agriculture.
Thus, they need special equipment that will fit with this specific type of farming method.
They need to have tools that are more compact due to the space it might consume in the apartment.
Urban agriculturists can print urban farming tools like a mounting bracket where they will put their seedling beds.
In addition to that, they can 3D print specialized light fixtures depending on the size of the space you have for your plants or crops.
3D Printing makes urban farming easier since they can easily customize the tools which may be hard to find in other shops.
Scale Models
When you have growing farming land, you need buildings to either store or process your product.
Considering the amount you will spend on these infrastructures, you need to plan it well. That’s why having a prototype scale model is actually useful in this situation.
By having a scale model, you can see the actual appearance and function of each room. You can determine what type of materials you need for the foundation, wall, etc.
Besides printing and scale models, farmers can also take advantage of using LiDAR scanners to survey their land.
It will help them analyze their property and strategically put structures useful depending on the quality of the land. They can plan an irrigation system by scanning the whole area too.
There’s still a lot of things you can do with the 3D technology. All you need now is a reliable company that can assist you with everything you have in your mind.
3D Metal Printing vs Plastic Filament: Which is Better in Manufacturing Agricultural Tools?
Metal is naturally more robust compared to plastic. Furthermore, they can resist extreme heat without damaging the product.
The downside of using metal is the weight. It is not practical especially if you need to move it from one place to another.
Another thing is it’s more expensive than plastics which may not be practical for farmers looking to reduce expenses.
Some recommended usage of metal filament is building farming machines and tractors.
But, if you need lighter tools that you can carry around then you might want to use plastic materials in your prototype. It is also much more affordable since the material is abundant in the market.
Also, there are some plastic filaments like PLA and ABS that can resist extreme heat as well. Although it is not as much as metals can resist.
Still, it is a perfect alternative if you don’t need a tool that requires a high thermal resistance.
3D Printing Prototype Service Available in the Philippines
All in all, 3D2GO is your best choice when it comes to 3D rapid prototyping. By all means, we have a wide range of services to help businesses and consumers with their 3D needs.
To emphasize, 3D2GO is the only one-stop-shop for everything 3D-related in the Philippines. Our services also include:
We encourage our clients to be more creative in having concepts in their design. With this in mind, contact us today. You can experience the excitement of turning your ideas into reality.
