Top 5 Benefits of 3D Printing Prototypes
Additive manufacturing or 3D printing offers a lot of possibilities to produce parts quickly and bring any idea or design to life. It may be popular with manufacturers looking to produce low-volume end-use parts, but the technology can also be great for building prototypes. Discerning product designers and engineers are 3D printing prototypes because the technology offers them the following benefits:
- Reduced costs
3D printing helps manufacturers build prototypes fast and more cost-effectively. It ensures high-quality results at a fraction of the cost of other prototyping technologies like CNC machining and injection molding. If you need to produce a plastic part using FDM 3D printing, the cost could be potentially lower for the filament to be used.
- Fast turnaround times
If you don’t have extensive in-house prototyping, it makes more sense to outsource prototyping to a reliable 3D printing company in China to ensure the quick delivery of accurate and high-quality results.
- More options in materials
As more companies are 3D printing prototypes, the technology continues to develop. This results in a broader range of materials that can be used to build a prototype. You can choose from plastics like ABS and nylon, as well as metals like stainless steel, tool steel, titanium, copper, and aluminum, depending on the 3D printing technology you’re planning to use.
- Flexibility
The product design process does not usually end after the initial prototype is produced. Many products are extensively tested and modified before their designs are finalized. 3D printing prototypes offer more flexibility, especially when accommodating those changes. You simply have to update the CAD of the product and send the new design to the 3D printer. This way, additive manufacturing allows you to create many versions of your design within a shorter period and the prototyping process can be smoother and faster.
- Easier workflow with CAD
CAD files can be delivered directly to the 3D printing software for the printer to read. This way, lots of time can be saved. Newer CAD software is intuitive and user-friendly to make 3D printing more accessible to anyone with minimal design experience.