3D Printing in Industrial Manufacturing

How is 3D printing used in Industrial Manufacturing?

Industrial manufacturing machinery is expensive, and there’s a lot riding on its productivity. When issues arise, the number one priority is getting production back up and running. With 3D-printed manufacturing applications, you can save time and money on replacement parts shipments, solve issues with new solutions and retrofit equipment to perform better.

TPU filament like Armadillo^® is rigid and tough and holds up well in a number of machine applications. Likewise, flexible TPU filament like NinjaFlex^® can stretch around machine parts to protect them and the products being made from damage.

In-house FDM printing in manufacturing is well-suited for rapid prototyping of new product lines or solutions for routine machine maintenance. Being able to quickly print something you can see, feel, touch and try out can prove invaluable in accelerating speed to market.

3D Printing Use Cases in Manufacturing

3D prints are cost-effective solutions for industrial manufacturers, along their production lines and in their products.

Custom Grippers for Robotics: Robotics are used in a number of industrial manufacturing facilities to enhance the production process. With custom 3D-printed robotic arm grippers, you can protect your materials from scratches while extending the life of the machine. In addition to the benefits for your equipment, you can save time and money on costly replacement parts.

Rapid Prototyping: In every manufacturing industry, engineers have new ideas. But will it work? Having an FDM printer and versatile filament on hand can help your idea take shape and enable you to show your team proof-of-concept.

NinjaTek^® Filaments in Industrial Manufacturing

NinjaTek has a number of uses in your plant beyond simple jigs and fixtures. Our filaments create unique options for prototyping applications that save you time and money.

• Use NinjaFlex^® for grip pads, vibration dampening, shock absorption, gaskets, seals, guards and soft robotics.
• Use Cheetah^® for assembly line jigs, fixtures, ergonomic improvements, guards and shock absorption.
• Use Armadillo^® for jigs, fixtures, ergonomic improvements, proof-of-concept gears, sprockets, shipping inserts, textured rollers and small part replacements.
• Use Eel™ for robotic grippers.

FAQs about 3D Printing in Industrial Manufacturing

What type of 3D printing is best for industrial manufacturing?

Well, that depends on what you’re making. If you’re prototyping new designs, an FDM printer and filament material can be kept on hand to test your ideas and improve your speed to market.

Are 3D-printed parts strong enough to use in a machine?

Generally, yes. 3D-printed parts such as seals and gaskets are durable enough for end-use parts. It depends on the type of material and the application. One of the big misconceptions about 3D printing is that it’s just for fun applications or experimental only. Today’s processes are better, the filaments are stronger and they’re higher-quality, so you can do more than you realize with 3D printing. Likewise, more and more companies are realizing the benefits of controlling their supply chain with on-demand 3D-printed parts.