A new dimension
3D printing technology (also known as additive manufacturing or ‘AM’) has undergone enormous developments in recent years, going from a new experimental technology to a fully-fledged industry solution for aerospace, medical, and robotic applications.
With innovations taking place everyday, many print and wide-format companies have begun adopting 3D print technology in order to bolster their offerings and complement existing services.
Companies that cater to sectors like the medical or construction industries can build on their existing solutions such as labels, adhesives, banners, and large volume print to offer 3D design and print services.
Companies like Print Point, Prosign Print and Display, and Hobs Repro, have all added 3D print services in order to tap into this emerging market to help designers, architects, and artists.
3D print remains a specialised space however, with many machines being produced and companies operating in the Nordic, Benelux, or Central Europe regions.
The AM process involves thin layers of a powder material being melted down by a powerful laser beam layer by layer until it creates its final form
When it comes to innovations in technology and production, many decisions and solutions now centre around key pillars such as on-demand production, sustainability, and globalisation.
3D print technology lends itself perfectly to these areas as it can provide quick and efficient solutions, without the issue of large-scale production or stock investment.
Print and its associated industries have also been able to solve many issues that make these key pillars so important to businesses. The use of paper and cardboard for sustainable materials, or the ability for print to produce custom products in labels, garments, and greetings cards shows how flexible print can be in the world of production.
While there are many great examples of this ever-expanding technology, businesses would be wise to research the area and consider whether to invest in the technology or to outsource it to specialist providers.
But, what are the main aspects to consider? And what companies are providing 3D print technology?
Experts in the trade
When you first look at a 3D printer, big or small, while it may not be what you initially imagine a printer to look like, the components and function of the machine are very much the same. Print heads, malleable solutions, and production lines are just some of the aspects that make 3D technology a print technology.
3D print has been used in fascinating ways over the last year, as well as the last decade. Metal parts have been 3D printed for machines and transportation, while 3D models and body parts have been made for medical and surgical use.
A young woman has even 3D-printed a school in Madagascar to solve the problem of school shortages in the country. Maggie Grout did this using a COBOD 3D printer which is capable of printing walls and structures thanks to its large rig and print head.
So far, 3D print has had a lot of success in industrial 3D printing and in the additive manufacturing of metals and the additive manufacturing of plastics. EOS is one company that has gained trust and respect in these spaces thanks to its history and innovations in manufacturing and 3D printing technology.
Nathan Rawlings, UK manager at EOS, says: “The independent company formed in 1989 and is now helping to shape the future of manufacturing. Powered by its platform-driven digital value network of machines and a holistic portfolio of services, materials, and processes, EOS is deeply committed to fulfilling its customers’ needs and acting responsibly for the planet.”
Speaking about the growth of the industry, Rawlings adds: “AM has for a long time been demonstrating it can produce parts that are stronger, lighter, and more complex, with fewer components than traditional manufacturing techniques, across a range of applications.
“The big change that is happening now is how organisations are applying AM across their wider operations to achieve cost savings, flexibility, and sustainability without needing to compromise on innovation.”
Rawlings says that industrial 3D printers are also minimising re-tooling costs for production runs, allowing production lines to switch to, or take on new manufacturing jobs more quickly.
“This is possible as AM requires no tooling, and so when you also embrace automation it can make production even faster and more efficient.
“Over time, we expect to see far more components being produced locally to where they are needed through contract manufacturers, rather than being shipped around the world. After sales, servicing and repair components would be an excellent example of this.”
Rawlings believes that this all contributes to the flexibility of the manufacturing industry, as additive manufacturing creates a new era of opportunity and agility across the sector.
One company that has demonstrated the qualities of this flexibility and agility is Hobs 3D, a business which interweaves with other parts of the wider Hobs Group.
Managing director for Hobs 3D, Eric Savant, explains: “The Hobs Group, consisting of Hobs Reprographics and Hobs 3D, has been trading for over 50 years and holds a royal warrant for reprographics printing. Over the years the capabilities of the group grew to include large-format print, hoardings, bespoke applications, and scanning.
As well as 3D printing, Hobs 3D brings projects to life with CGI and technical 4D sequences
“The 3D business emerged out of a demand from clients in the AEC (Architectural, Engineering, and Construction) industries for models to help clients and stakeholders better understand the form and environmental impact of proposed developments. That demand carried through to include 3D visualisations and CGI. Through Hobs 3D, the Hobs Group now offers a full suite of 3D printing, 3D visualisation, interactive and model making capabilities.”
Hobs Repro offers services in 3D, reprographics, visual communications, and more
A company like Hobs demonstrates the wide array of options 3D print allows for, but most importantly 3D print is an entire industry purely in itself.
Savant adds: “3D printing is no longer a niche industry with a few production techniques and limited applications. You can find a 3D printing solution in almost every industry imaginable. Invisalign uses 3D printing to create its bespoke teeth straighteners; aircraft manufacturers use metal 3D printers to create bespoke parts that reduce weight and therefore save fuel; and medical researchers are literally learning to print organs through 3D printing.
The first 3D printing technologies first became available in the late 1980’s, when it was called Rapid Prototyping (RP) technologies. This is due to the processes being originally conceived as a fast and more cost-effective method for creating prototypes for product development ”
“Wherever there is a need for nimble, small scale or bespoke production, a 3D printing solution will be found to satisfy it. Hobs 3D’s chosen technology has had a primary target of architecture and construction but has opened possibilities in engineering, product design, and art as well.”
Innovations in the industry
Just as important as knowing what can be offered through 3D print, is knowing the technology involved in order to better understand its capabilities.
Rawlings says: “All EOS machines are industrial grade 3D printers and we have optimised the interactions between the 3D printer, the material, and the processes for part production at industrial scale. Our systems are available for metal or polymer-based materials and our technology lays the foundation for manufacturing results that meet a wide range of industrial requirements, dimensional accuracy, surface quality, and stability.”
The technologies Hobs 3D has at its disposal include SLA printing (stereolithography), ColourJet Powder Printing, and MultiJet Printing.
Savant explains: “SLA Printing is a resin-based technology where liquid resin is solidified with exposure to UV light. We have some of the largest SLA printing capacity in the UK with each machine possessing almost a square meter of printing volume. We use these machines to produce high-definition models with an injection moulding smooth finish. The models can be painted, sand-blasted or lacquered to represent just about anything a client wants.”
Like SLA, MultiJet is another resin-based technology which uses resin droplets and UV light to create highly detailed objects at a smaller scale. According to Savant, the clients for this type of printing tend to be in product design or fashion.”
Describing the pros and cons of ColourJet, Savant states: “CJP is a powder-based technology, and we use these machines to produce models that are colourised during the printing, so the only finishing required is a final coating of a bonding material.
“The finished product is very much like a porcelain figure. The advantages are that we can get to a final product quickly without much manual work, but the downside is the object is somewhat fragile.”
When it comes to offering 3D print technology, Hybrid Services, the exclusive distributor for Mimaki in the UK and Ireland has learnt more about the industry via Mimaki since the technology was developed around four years ago.
Duncan Jefferies, head of marketing and business development at Hybrid Services, says: “Mimaki Engineering is a Japanese print technology manufacturer with decades of history in supplying wide-format printing and cutting hardware to a broad range of industries, including sectors such as sign and graphics, industrial printing, and textile and apparel.
“Around four years ago, the company expanded its reach into 3D printing, with an innovative, full-colour solution. The Mimaki 3DUJ-2207 is a new iteration of the original product, delivered in a compact package and available at a highly competitive price point.”
Mimaki manufactures a range of LED UV, 3D, dye sublimation, and textile inkjet printers
With Mimaki also specialising in smaller more bespoke solutions, Jefferies comments: “Its USP (unique selling point) is its capability to create highly detailed models in full colour. In fact, the Mimaki 3DUJ-2207 is able to print 10,000,000 colours, achieving 84% of the Fogra 39L colour gamut and over 90% of SWOP gamut, allowing corporate colours and brand identities to be accurately matched.”
As new markets open and grow, Jefferies highlights the opportunity for print companies to rethink how they operate: “One of the many benefits of 3D printing is that it covers a vast array of applications and potential customer bases. Display companies may already be producing ‘traditional’ 2D digitally printed renders of a visual plan for architects, for example, and so being able to offer a 3D printed model, in full colour and high detail is the ultimate way to wow the customer.”
Jefferies adds: “The ability to supply high-quality, full-colour 3D models to customers that not only look amazing but are also extremely profitable, is a huge commercial benefit. Supplier technology that helps customers innovate and offer inspiring solutions is a great way to retain end customers, and differentiate a business as being innovative and client-focussed.”
Just as large 3D machines are able to produce impressive props and large scale displays, many machines are able to create more bespoke parts, models, or even pieces of fashion or jewellery.
Jefferies states: “Mimaki’s newest 3D printer, the 3DUJ-2207 has been designed with functionality at its core with its compact footprint and a 203 x 203 x 76mm build space – just two key features which demonstrate its unique versatility and make it ideally suited for office environments.
“Utilising UV-curing inkjet technology, the high-definition colour reproduction made possible with the Mimaki 3DUJ-2207 3D printer provides new possibilities for prototyping and enables the accurate construction of subtle colour differences which are critical for many projects.”
Though colour range has held back 3D prints in the past, new machines are pushing through with new colour capabilities and new materials to help diversify the use of 3D printed products.
“Mimaki’s innovative 3DUJ-2207 represents a huge step forward for colour accuracy, fine detail and post-print processing,” adds Jefferies.
“The 3DUJ-2207 offers a unique combination of its full-colour printing capabilities, 28 micron layer thickness and water-soluble support materials enabling fine detail to be printed in vibrant colour. With additional features such as Mimaki’s clear resin, which can be used alone or mixed with colours to achieve varying levels of transparency, the new 3DUJ-2207 3D printer presents a robust, advanced 3D printing solution with an affordable price tag, all within a machine sufficiently compact to fit in an office elevator.”
O Factoid: The
first 3D printing technology beccame available in the late 1980's and
was called Rapid Prototyping (RP). This was due to the process being
originally conceived as a fast and more cost-effective method for
creaing prototypes for product development O
Discussing the opportunities investments in 3D print offer, Jefferies says: “One of the many benefits of 3D printing is that it covers a vast array of applications and potential customer bases. Display companies may already be producing ‘traditional’ 2D digitally printed renders of a visual plan for architects, for example. Being able to offer a 3D printed model, in full colour and high detail is the ultimate way to wow the customer.”
While 3D print may still seem like a far-off concept to some, printers and suppliers may be surprised to find how many solutions can be created through this technology.
Whether it is collaborating with new partners or investing in new equipment, it is clear the decisions surrounding this technology require careful planning around the usage within your business, and the part it will play in expanding industries of the future.
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