Hi there, I'm CiCi.

Yesterday I posted a topic: Is 3D printing the future of manufacturing?

We received a lot of great responses. Now I'm going to show you some representative comments. Let's check it out!

@Derek W: YES and NO. 3D Printing has its benefits over subtractive manufacturing or injection molding, in that it is much more cost-efficient, can create certain types of models that the other two CANNOT make, and allows customization of the said product, in that you can change the model in any way at any point in time with no side-effect. But to use it at an industrial scale is a different story.

@TinMan0023: NOT with Hobby Machines with their questionable reliability and lack of speed. Industrial (read EXPENSIVE, $20K+) machines, maybe but still not as fast as Casting or Injection Molding. But could be used to make or prototype the Parts and Molds, though. So they could be useful but not replace current methods.

@JMCheatham: While 3D printing can do a lot, it still can't quite compare with some of the more traditional manufacturing methods... that being said, 3D printing is growing and becoming more viable as end products year by year. I'd imagine that in the next 5-10 years we'll see it taking over more and more. After all, look at the mark-forged printers, some manufacturers are using them for final products.

@Polymo Presents: Depending on the time scale. 3d printing in its current form is an addition to the manufacturing tools employed. There is a long road ahead to make 3d printing the future of manufacturing. 3d printing will become a household appliance in most homes like a toaster well before it can replace many of the current technologies in manufacturing.

@HendrikJB Boss: It really depends on what is meant by "the future of manufacturing". Will 3D printing replace injection molding of high-volume, high-quality parts? I don't think so. I invented a multiple Gas bottle Opener which takes 300 minutes to print one unit and cost me U$1.26 in a filament. Mass production will cost me U$0.33 per unit and produce 10 units per minute which equate to 3000 units in 300 minutes.

@Edgefinder: Additive manufacturing has let's say 2% material waste. Subtractive manufacturing has sometimes upwards of 98% material waste. From the perspective of material conservation, 3d printing is a clear choice. Also, you have freedom of design with 3d printing you don't have in traditional manufacturing. 3d printing material strength and precision printing is the crux of its dominating manufacturing.

@3DPFactory: I think yes, many firms who would normally use a third party to manufacture their items are already looking at using 3DP technology for their own manufacturing. The biggest leap I think has been for 'micro' manufacturers who make items at lower volumes or for niche markets. I count myself amongst them and my career change direction would not have been possible with domestic 3DP technology.

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