Much has been claimed about the effectiveness and the limitless possibilities of the 3D printer, but can this new technology replace tried-and-true technology that is already efficient and incredibly effective? Some might say time will tell, but the following post outlines the pros and cons of both traditional stamping or 3D printing as a way to manufacture products to help you come to your own conclusions.

Stamping or 3D Printing?

Many people are quick to jump on the bandwagon when it comes to new technology, but what if the current technology works just as effectively? Fads come and go, but most would argue that 3D printing is here to stay. So, is it a more effective way to manufacture products? We’ve outlined a few points as well as the pros and cons of traditional stamping and 3D printing to give you the facts.

3D printers run automatically: A 3D printer looks much like a traditional document printer, and it runs automatically. Instead of needing several operators, one operator is needed to add powder, input a design into the printer, and remove the finished product. On the whole, 3D printers use less man power. This may be great for the company, but it could also end up taking away jobs from American workers.

3D printers may make American manufacturing more competitive: Since only a few operators are needed to oversee several 3D printers at a time, many see 3D printers as a way to make American manufacturing more competitive globally. In addition, the space needed for 3D printers to run is much smaller, and so factories could be downsized. Many experts see 3D printers as a way to bring business back to America that has recently been sent overseas to Asia.

3D printers may reduce waste: Since cutting metal by traditional means wastes a lot of excess material, 3D printing may be a way to conserve. 3D printers work by folding layers of metal together, and only the correct amount is fed into the machine each time.

3D printing is not fast enough to produce small parts: For small parts such as washers, 3D printers simply cannot crank out the product as quickly as more traditional forms of manufacturing. 3D printers are great for creating new designs, but they are not yet efficient enough or fast enough to compete with more traditional means of manufacturing, such as stamping. To find out how quickly we can get washers and other products to your doorstep, click here for more information: https://www.phoenixspecialty.com/products.

3D printing is still relatively new: Although 3D printing has been around in one form or another since the 1980s, it is only recently that the concept has entered the field of manufacturing. Quality concerns when it comes to end products and liability are still a concern in the world of 3D printing and manufacturing.