Industrial Automation Magazine India

Skilled people are of essence to 3D printing

Published on : Monday 11-11-2019

From composite sculptures to metal watches, 3D printing is rapidly evolving – what are the limitations?

Given the scope of operations, 3D printing theoretically has no limits. Metal and polymer prints are common and research on organic tissue (STEM) printing as well as 3D printed houses are now under massive experimental phases. This gives hope for the beginning of a new industrial revolution. As you are reading this, there are researchers and experiments being performed to 3D print in space to ensure production without the help of aid from Earth.

Cost of materials is right now an issue. How can this be controlled?

As R&D units pace up their approach to manufacturing material powder, resin or other fluids for additive manufacturing, we shall see a decrease in material prices in the future. For a steady supply of material one needs to rely on multiple suppliers to ensure that the customers receive their prototypes as soon as possible.

Skills is another major problem in this area, as in other emerging technologies. Time for a thorough overhaul of engineering education?

Skilled people are of essence to 3D printing. Dedicated courses in universities and certification programs are already rolling out to provide the best 3D printing education to the common people. But a dedicated platform for training is still lacking. This however can be easily overcome by enlisting AM boot-camps and seminars across the globe. To achieve this, 3D printing needs to hit mainstream more widely than it is today. Industries will notice how AM is complementary to conventional manufacturing and this will ensure a permanent place for ‘‘Additive Manufacturing: 101”.

How could companies exploit the potential of Additive Manufacturing to gain an edge?

AM is still in the development phase. The major pillars of this technology are machines, applications and manpower. These can be tweaked and tuned for creating the USP one needs to gain an edge over competitors. Massive material development programs are being undertaken to lessen the hassle of using materials of similar properties and rather going for the exact materials of choice. Industry 4.0 is the harbinger of automation in all industries, be it automotive, aerospace, supply chain, logistics, manufacturing, OEMs, etc. Hence, AM can be easily adopted by organisations to generate goodwill and stay ahead of the curve. 

Experts believe additive manufacturing calls for new business models like leasing of printers and jobshops. Will this work

With the introduction of new methodologies in manufacturing, there has always been a tough decision that needs to be made. Additive manufacturing is no exception; for years on end after tonnes of paper and experimenting, AM is slowly albeit cautiously entering the minds of industrialists. For starters, the idea of leasing machines and equipment does sound better but in the long run it is always advisable to have own machines. But nevertheless advocating on behalf of introducing 3D printing to the world, renting shop floors and facilities can help engineers and manufacturers have a hands-on experience about the technology and how it can be developed into a fully operational process in the organisation’s manufacturing processes.

Ankit Sahu, Director, Objectify Technologies Pvt Ltd has a Masters in Manufacturing Technology from Warwick University, UK. He founded Objectify Technologies right after returning from UK in 2013, at SIIC Incubation Centre at IIT Kanpur. The company has grown by leaps and bounds within last three years and has become one of India’s forerunners in the field of Additive Manufacturing/3D Printing/Rapid Prototyping in polymers as well as metal.