3D printing

From dental braces to astronauts’ seats


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Finally a 3D printing article that casts the technology in a way that makes sense to me! It stands to reason that the entities best positioned to become first adopters of this new manufacturing technology would be existing manufacturers, not end conusmers.

Michael Dunne

I like the effort to navigate between the two poles of attitudes towards 3D printing. I think it should have been reiterated that there are different manufacturing styles, and then highlight the types that lend themselves to 3D printing (say higher value components, small lots of stuff for mass customization, etc.).
As for China, of course it is likely to get involved in 3D printing since it is trying to move up the food chain (may see it as an avenue to penetrate further into components) and will have a large internal market to service.
You may want to say why 3D printing would favoring more local manufacturing (or more regional).
- Maybe smaller lot sizes?
- Maybe shorter lead times?
- Maybe there is a lowering in labor and material costs?
- Maybe there is an advantage of being closer to product development and target markets (soft collaborative advantages among the designers/marketers/salesmen in those markets, innovating & providing feedback on innovation)?
- Maybe some types of components that lend themselves to 3D printing also would fall under health and security concerns (see Medical Devices, or the original additive manufacturing for aircraft engine parts, since 196) - So some may fall in areas where non-tariff barriers are accepted...
Just some thoughts. I enjoyed the article overall.
As for this though: " Some of the world’s largest 3D printers can be found in China, including a 12-metre-long machine used to print titanium wing parts and fuselage frames for short-haul airliners. "
I was wondering about how many wing parts and frames they actually produced for commercial use and for how long? Just considering this announcement from BAE last July:
"New technique paves the way for 3D-printed aircraft wings"


Read more: http://www.theengineer.co.uk/aerospace/news/new-technique-paves-the-way-...

If they have been doing it for a while, then kudos to them. Interestingly, stitching and baking composites has been another approach.
Well thank you again for the piece.


Chinese factories´ competitive advantage has always been its low labour costs. Given that the percentage of labour costs over total costs is decreasing through technology intensification, and that both American/European and Chinese factories can use 3D printing, why would China keep its manufacturing leadership in the medium/long run? We also have to consider the decrease in shipping costs arising from 3D printing in situ vs printing it in China.


BMW and GE Aviation will both be speaking about how they use this tech, along with top CEO's from the 3d printing world, at TCT Show, Sept 25/26, NEC, UK.(www.tctshow.com).

This event is designed to smash through the hype and tell you what is really possible with additive manufacturing and 3d printing. Entrance to the conference and expo is free. Given the interest around this tech this might be of interest to author, commentators and readers?

Samir H.

I'd like to see an analysis of the impact of 3D printing in component manufacturers. Does it pose a real risk to an entire industry of manufacturers of parts and components?

It's interesting to notice that this is a very pulverized sector, which spreads across many developing countries. Would 3D printing widen the gap between developed and developing countries, by threatening an important mid-low-tech industry that serves as a stepping stone in the development process? Or does the cost of the technology make it viable only for use in high-tech sectors with very specific requirements?


One area where 3D printing might be playing a role is nuclear fusion. Lockheed Martin's Skunkworks talks of having a prototype 100MW flatbed sized reactor available in 5yrs. In their video, they mention the "adjacent possible". That is, the coming together of different technologies to make this possible. My guess is these include advances in 3D printing, materials science, and magnetic confinement.

I see LM and the DoE are working on a concept called Big Area Additive Manufacturing (BAAM). Coincidence?

hedgie in reply to guest-lojlwlo

do not underestimate their adoption of technologies. labor costs are rising in china and these people can shed labor in production faster than US/EC with virtually no unions. Up to US/EC to muster the discipline in racing with them and ensure that they have a place in this new tech.

guest-loweemi in reply to hedgie

These new technologies are transforming the jobs market in interesting, if unpalatable ways. They are stripping the middle-valued jobs (the traditional middle class jobs) but are creating new jobs at the bottom of the pile. China, even with wage inflation, will still be able to populate these. (Think, for example, the poor bod in an Amazon warehouse who now stands still while robots fetch him products.)

At the other end of the scale there are new jobs being created where creativity is essential. (Now old hat, but web designers didn't exist 15 years ago.)

New markets and new opportunities will emerge from 3D printing. But the well-paid middle class-style jobs of administration and management will not be part of it. It's a brave new world, and it will make more sense in 20 years time.


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