3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing, is a rapidly evolving technology that is quietly revolutionizing the way things are manufactured and processed.
From cars to industrial machinery to food, 3D printing is now being used to create finished products rather than just prototypes. The process saves time and enables small businesses to produce products in-house.
In Iceland, a small manufacturing facility is using 3D printing to produce parts for fish-processing machines. The founder of Curio, Elliði Hreinsson, says that his machines would be difficult or in some cases impossible to produce without 3-D printing.
Hreinsson says that 3-D printing skips all the steps required for conventional manufacturing, from prototyping to casting or injection molding. This not only saves time, but also enables small businesses like Curio to produce all their products in-house.
The use of 3D printing is also on the rise in the automotive industry.
General Motors (NYSE: GM) recently used 3D printing to make 60,000 weatherproof seals for the 2022 Chevy Tahoe, and the forthcoming Cadillac Celestiq will include more than 100 3D-printed parts.
BMW is also making broad use of 3-D printed parts throughout its lineup. Mercury Marine is also producing its newest V12, 600-horsepower outboard motor with 3-D printed molds.
3D printing is not only cost-efficient, but also allows for the creation of complex designs that would be difficult to produce with traditional manufacturing methods.
The use of 3D printing in traditional industries is also on the rise.
Humtown Additive, a family business in Ohio, uses 3D printing with sand to create molds for casting metal parts.
This is a process that has changed little since ancient Egypt, but with the addition of computers, CAD software, and the ability to print complicated shapes, it is now more efficient and cost-effective.
The implications of 3D printing for the shape of global supply chains could be significant.
Traditional manufacturing often requires outsourcing to Asia, adding weeks or months to the time between product design and delivery.
With 3D printing, products can be created in-house, enabling small businesses to compete on a global scale.
Additionally, 3D printing can also be used to create products in remote areas, reducing the need for transportation and logistics.
Investors also point to the fact that 3D printing is a sustainable technology.
It reduces the need for raw materials and the waste produced is minimal. This is because it only uses the material required to create the final product, unlike traditional manufacturing methods that create a lot of waste during the manufacturing process. This not only saves resources but also reduces the environmental impact of manufacturing.
From cars to industrial machinery to food, 3D printing is now being used to create finished products, rather than just prototypes.
The implications of 3D printing for the shape of global supply chains could be significant, as it enables small businesses to compete on a global scale and reduces the need for transportation and logistics.
3D printing is a rapidly evolving technology still in its infancy that investors are increasing paying attention to as it has the potential to change the way the global economy manufactures and processes products in the future.
Many publicly traded 3D printing companies are competing to grab market share. Listed below are the top 3D printing stocks to watch in 2023:
For a full list of 3D Printing stocks, quote and news visit: https://greenstocknews.com/stocks/3d-printing-stocks
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