How 3D Printing help change work-processes in the Consumer Products Industry

With 3D Printing technology, Companies are now producing better quality designs, at a lower cost in a shorter lead time.

The Consumer products industry is one of the largest and the most competitive industries in the world, ranging from consumer electronics, sporting goods, toys etc.

For these companies, Research & Development is one of the most critical and tedious phases in creating and introducing a successful product into the market. An extensive amount of investment and time are dedicated into the product development process. More importantly, it is the company’s ability to excel during this phase that determines the success of a new or improved product. Time and cost are some key concerns during the product development process.

Traditionally, companies employ CNC program to develop protoypes for functional testing, decision-making and production. CNC program is however, more suitable for high volume production as it requires more labour, longer lead-time and higher cost to operate. For companies who are more involved with short run production, 3D Printing technology possesses the capabilities that revolutionise the product development process, helping companies save cost, time, expedite decision-making process and produce prototypes of higher quality.

The Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) technology, a 3D printing technology, builds parts in the same durable, stable plastics used in injection molding, CNC machining and other traditional manufacturing processes, making it excellent for functioning test.

With the speed, precision and quality 3D printing technology offers, companies are able to develop prototypes early in the development stage in a shorter time and at a lower cost. As a result, work processes have become more efficient and productive. Companies are now able to increase subtle or total design changes, have faster design cycle and able to cut down on outsourcing that is both time consuming and costly.

Logitech, a Swiss company focused on innovation and quality has benefited significantly since adopting 3D printing technology. Prior to using the FDM process, the company’s prototypes weren’t durable enough for functional testing and couldn’t run functional tests until late in development, when they made parts from prototype injection molds. With FDM, the company is able to run functional tests, resulting in improved reliabiltity and comfort for their products. Optimal design is now achievable through functioning testing rather than the previous practices of relying on formulas and CAD models. Stratasys FDM thermoplastics have a range of 11 different materials that cater to different product requirements.

 

Sporting goods giant, Adidas, looks to the latest technology to continuously revolutionize its design, development and production processes. No stranger to rapid prototyping technologies, Adidas was one of the first companies to install the Objet Connex500 3D Printing System. Objet Connex500 3D’s multi-material 3D printing technology empowers Adidas to gain a real competitive edge in this digital era. The Adidas Group prints around the clock to meet the strong demand for its products and its internal customer requirements. With the new speed and fast model production achieved through Objet Connex 3D, designers can quickly reach the ultimate final product concept and customer wishes can be
quickly fulfilled. Moreover, errors can be immediately detected and eliminated.

PolyJet 3D Printing Technology creates precise prototypes that set the standard for finished-product realism. Its fine resolution enables realisation of complex shapes, intricate details and smooth surfaces possible. 3D Printers such as the Objet Connex possesses the capability to incorporate colour and diverse materials into one model, allowing you to achieve increased final-product realism and enables designers to fully explore creative ideas.

In the competitive Consumer products industry, the speed of design cycles accompanied by the quality of a product is often the decider on the success of a product. 3D printing has proved to be an effective technology that aids firms during this work phase.

Contact us for information on the benefits and wonders 3D Printing Technology can bring.