Additive Manufacturing Has Finally Come of Age
In 1987, the first form of additive manufacturing (AM), or 3D printing, was commercialized and brought to market. The technology was hailed as a game-changer but slow to catch on because support elements, such as materials, software and robotics, weren’t fully realized. This forced most manufacturers to limit AM to prototyping applications. Today, it’s a different story.
|
A Breakthrough Metal Printer |
MarkForged and SOLIDWORKS are working together to bring carbon fiber and metal 3D Printers into the mainstream. Watch to See How |
|
|
Unique Application? There’s a Printer for That. |
||
With patents expiring and IP barriers tumbling down, new entrants into the industry are causing an explosion in popularity and dropping prices for 3D printing machines. As new possibilities and opportunities are sought and realized—particularly in the metal applications like aircraft-grade titanium—new 3D printers are being developed that use different methods and materials to manufacture faster and more reliably. |
|
A Changing Workforce |
Greater access to 3D printing as well as its added benefits is convincing the next generation of product designers and engineers, in industries ranging from aerospace to education, to pursue additive manufacturing as a career . As this new group begins to make its way into the workforce, manufacturers and managers are revisiting more than just training initiatives, but their entire approach to applying 3D printing in the product development process. |
|
At the End of the Day, Good Design Still Matters
Like traditional manufacturing techniques, good design is the key to avoiding mistakes in production. Support structures, warping and distortion, unprintable features — all are key considerations. If not properly accounted for, they can ruin a component before it’s even off the printer,and when working with special materials, like aircraft-grade titanium, this can prove very costly.
Related Resources
Interested in further information? Check out these case studies and blog posts to learn more.
![]() |
GET A QUOTEGet pricing information |
![]() |
GET A PRODUCT DEMOGet a SolidWorks |
![]() |
CONTACT SALESHave a product related |