Why Use 3D Metal Printing Protoyping for Manufacturing？

Prototyping allows you to test the feel, function, look, and durability of a designed component before sending it for manufacturing. This test run removes risk from your investment and increases end-customer satisfaction.

Today, there are more ways than ever to prototype a metal component. 

Advantages of 3D Metal Printing Prototyping

3D metal printing prototyping has many advantages over other types of manufacturing, including:

1. Faster production times: Parts created by traditional manufacturing processes like casting and forging can take weeks or months. With additive manufacturing prototyping, parts can be made in a matter of days — allowing for efficient design modification and quicker time to market.

2. Cost-effectiveness: With less reliance on secondary processing, 3D metal printing prototyping saves time and money. 3D printers require less attention during production, so operators don’t need to be present throughout. Material costs are lower because 3D metal printers start from scratch rather than subtracting from a larger sheet or slab.

3. Consistent, quality parts: Additive manufacturing rapid prototyping produces reliable, high-quality parts. 

4. Tooling convenience: Tooling (jigs, fixtures, mold inserts, etc.) often has complex geometry. Tooling produced through CNC machining can lead to manufacturing congestion, due to a limited number of machines and operators. Producing tooling via 3D metal printing prototyping can eliminate these pain points by freeing up operators and reducing downtime.

5. Complex designs: 3D metal printing allows for intricate designs, such as complex curves, shapes, or cavities, that traditional manufacturing processes can’t handle.