There are many manufacturing processes in the world and many industries that use the same manufacturing processes. However, the one that is widely used is the additive manufacturing technique. Typically, in a normal manufacturing process, the final product is produced by chiseling and carving the raw material into the desired product. However, this is not the case with the additive process.
In this manufacturing process, the structure of the products is created by adding layers of material one on top of another in significant ways to create the final result. The aggregate layers are small and thin and are added with the aid of a cartridge filled with the desired material. The cartridge slowly sprays the material one layer over another in a gradual process to create the final result. The entire procedure is guided and managed by CAD software and a computer that acts as a printer to print the product.
Advantages of additive manufacturing
Some of the benefits of using this manufacturing technique are:
- Products and end results can be created that are complex and those that cannot be created with traditional methods. A great variety of shapes and figures can be created, as they will not be carved in one unit, but rather produced by gradual layers.
- The products that are created are also better in terms of strength and durability as there are no chances of defects and weak points in the product. Additionally, the additive manufacturing process helps protect the environment compared to factory methods.
- Additive manufacturing also makes the production process flexible in terms of resources, since design changes can be easily made.
- The process is also cost-effective and profitable, which means it is completed much faster with the help of CAD software. This is the reason why most companies are opting for this process over the traditional ones.
Additive manufacturing applications
Some of the applications where additive manufacturing is widely used are:
- Turbos and Turbines: Currently, the production of turbines is highly favored by additive production processes. For the most part, the aerospace industry uses the technique to create lightweight turbos with minimal cost and minimal design complexity. Also, it helps to reduce time consumption while keeping safety in mind.
- Orthopedic implants: There are many types of products and implants that are used in the dental industry such as crowns, dentures, bridges, etc. All these products are created by the additive manufacturing techniques, these days to reduce the cost and also to reduce the production time keeping in mind the safety and quality standards.
- Fix: These days, tool repair is also done with the help of additive manufacturing, which is also called metal laser sintering. This reduces downtime and also helps optimize tool life.
- Jewelry: Additive production processes are used to create new and more intricate jewelry designs. In this way, new and unusual designs can be achieved with full metal density. This also helps reduce production time and cost.