From Guest Blogger Sonya Harris: How 3D Printing Empowers Green Manufacturing

In this day and age, it’s important to focus on the best way to create efficient, energy saving processes no matter the industry.

Manufacturing is an industry known for producing a lot of waste, and that’s why there’s currently so much effort towards making this process much greener so we can continue to enjoy a variety of products at a lower energy cost. Luckily, 3D printing might be just the solution the manufacturing industry is looking for. By increasing efficiency, reducing waste, and even lowering costs, 3D printing is a step towards sustainability for manufacturing as an industry. Keep reading to learn more about how 3D printing empowers green manufacturing in 2018!

Given that this is a booming industry, it’s a fabulous cleantech investment opportunity.

The History and Science Behind 3D Printing

3D printing might seem like technology of the future, but it’s the reality of today. The foundational technology behind 3D printing is known as additive manufacturing, and it’s not as new as you think. Additive manufacturing has been around since the early 1980s, but at the time it wasn’t very efficient. Materials were expensive, and it only was something big, profitable companies could afford, even on a small scale.

Today, 3D printing is much more accessible. Advancements in printing techniques, software, and materials made 3D printing a process that’s accessible to businesses of all sizes. 3D printing, on the surface, isn’t that different from traditional 2D printing. Product designers create models on their computers which they can then print. Technology has pushed the boundaries of printing even further, and 3D printing can be seen everywhere from hospitals to automobile manufacturers.

Why 3D Printing is Good News for Consumers

3D printing isn’t just a positive change for manufacturers looking for a way to cut costs. It also brings an abundance of benefits to all consumers. Because 3D printing is becoming so widespread, the cost of goods is going down across the board. Because 3D printing is available to all businesses of all sizes, technology and innovation is being pushed further. That means more creativity and innovation is dominating the market, providing even more solutions to everyday problems.

Consumers of today can expect to find their favorite items for cheaper. They can expect to see greater levels of customization within their favorite products. They can expect to see high-quality products as well since materials and custom features are becoming more affordable to produce thanks to 3D printing. The average customer can be confident the products of tomorrow are likely to be manufactured with quality and environmental sustainability in mind.

3D Printing and Green Technology

In a world where emissions are at an all time high, every step towards a greener future is a move in the right direction. Standard manufacturing has long been a form of pollution, with high costs to the environment. As the population rises, so does the need to create more products to meet a growing demand. That meant more materials, more energy, and more waste throughout the production process. 3D printing offers an affordable, technologically advanced solution to the growing problem of manufacturing.

Compared to traditional manufacturing, 3D printing is much greener. The main difference is that 3D printing is considered additive. That term means materials are added to create a product, and that means less waste is produced throughout the entire production process. Complex processes generally result in a lot of waste in a traditional manufacturing setting, and 3D printing prevents any unnecessary waste. While this might seem small, this waste adds up quickly!

Another part of the energy-saving process of 3D printing is the streamlining of prototype creation. Prototypes are essential in manufacturing, and perfecting these models can result in a lot of waste. 3D printing makes it easy to create articulate, effective prototypes without as much material or waste. A service like https://www.3erp.com/ specializes in the creation of environmentally friendly prototypes. From there, the manufacturing process can be made much more green!

When it comes to manufacturing, it’s clear 3D printing is the solution of both today and tomorrow. While this technology is still growing, it already has mad a large impact on such an impressive industry. Standard manufacturing will soon become a thing of the past as 3D printing continues to become more affordable and technologically advanced.