February 4th, 2025, 3D Printing
In a fast-paced industry like manufacturing, companies are constantly striving for the most efficient and cost-effective production solutions. As manufacturers, we’re fortunate to live in a time where technology is expanding at a rapid pace. Thanks to these technological advances, manufacturing is becoming more streamlined than ever, and production speed has increased dramatically. One amazing piece of technology that has led the way to faster and less costly production is the 3D printer. 3D printing is a process that builds three-dimensional objects layer by layer, reading design information made with CAD software.
It’s not only a powerful tool for manufacturing, but also surprisingly cost-effective compared to other methods. Join us as we explore the ways 3D printing services save on the production of small parts, as well as how to get started on your next 3D printing project.
Traditional manufacturing has higher upfront costs than 3D printing due to the need for specialized tools and molds. It involves various labour intensive processes like injection molding, forming, and machining, which can require cutting tools like drills, milling cutters, lathe tools, or extensive work to prepare master molds. For example, injection molding for a medium-sized project would cost thousands of dollars before production has even started.
3D Printing doesn’t require any of the tools needed in traditional manufacturing, completely eliminating these costs. This lack of tooling not only saves money but also reduces lead times, streamlining both prototyping and production processes.
The only initial setup cost that comes with 3D printing for small parts is the cost to create the design file with CAD software. The CAD software indicates to the 3D printer what the design should look like and how it should be built. This will require an experienced professional internally or for an experienced professional to be outsourced. Once the core design is made, the 3D printer can produce dozens of copies with precise accuracy.
When it comes to conventional manufacturing, the subtractive method remains the standard. Subtractive manufacturing involves removing and shaping parts of a material with various tools to create the final product. Since the beginning of humanity, this process has been utilized by humans to create weapons, shelter, and much more — Read more about it here!
Although effective, subtractive manufacturing results in material waste, as stray pieces of metal, plastic, wood, and other materials are discarded. Many of these materials can be recycled. Although recycling reduces the total waste, manufacturing companies still need to account for the costs of unused materials that were recycled.
On the opposite side of subtractive manufacturing is additive manufacturing. Unlike subtractive, additive manufacturing eliminates material waste by utilizing only the amount of materials needed for the final product. 3D printing is a form of additive manufacturing, making it an alternative to reduce material waste. This translates to financial savings on raw materials, alongside environmental benefits that come with reduced material consumption.
Traditional manufacturing requires longer setup times that lead to slower turnaround times than more modern methods. This setup can take a couple of months. Along with the setup time is the time it takes to produce a large volume of small parts at once. Factors such as team size, material type, and the size and intricacy of the final product all contribute to longer turnaround times.
The direct nature of the 3D printer allows companies to produce prototypes quickly, which accelerates testing and refinement processes. Like with traditional manufacturing, the time it takes will depend on material type, size, and intricacy. Ultimately, 3D printing projects can take anywhere from 24 hours to a couple of days. This is a stark difference from traditional manufacturing, which can take a couple of months or more.
While traditional manufacturing can handle customization needs, it requires changes in the tools and processes used, contributing to a large chunk of the overall cost and production time. The potential to request modifications and customization post-production means there’s a risk of increasing costs over time. Due to the nature of subtractive manufacturing, major modifications to the design may even require a complete restart of the project.
3D printing offers instant and low-cost customization options. Manufacturers can easily adjust part specifications, such as size, fit, or design tweaks, without incurring excessive expenses. This flexibility fosters innovation and allows for quick adaptations to meet market demands.
To recoup the high costs associated with typical manufacturing methods, most will impose minimum order requirements. These requirements ensure that the process is as cost-effective as possible, but limits flexibility when it comes to taking on projects. This minimum requirement can be especially troubling for small parts production.
3D printers are the perfect solution to low volume productions that require small parts. 3D printers produce one-off parts with no changes to the overall cost. This scalability allows businesses to effortlessly transition from single prototypes to small batch productions, catering to diverse customer needs.
Traditional manufacturing is associated with significant labour costs, as the tools used to manufacture small parts require manual oversight. Additionally, these machining professionals are highly skilled and trained, working meticulously to create an accurate final product. This requires more time in the process and a higher salary to reflect their advanced skills. This type of expertise is more suited for one-off projects rather than projects requiring multiple precise small parts.
3D printing’s labour costs are limited to the initial design made with CAD software. Once this design is made, the remaining work is completely automated and able to be completed by a 3D printer with little to no oversight. In a manufacturing environment, professionals can focus on overseeing and creating larger portions of the project while the 3D printer handles tedious small part manufacturing.
When it comes to traditional manufacturing and machining, small parts are one of the more time-consuming tasks. As this article shows, manufacturing small parts is more cost-effective, faster, and streamlined with 3D printers. If your manufacturing facility does not have an in-house 3D printer, don’t be afraid to reach out to BSG. Our state-of-the-art carbon fiber composite 3D printers can create small parts that are precise, sturdy, and properly reinforced every single time. Whether you’re looking to test design prototypes or need small parts for a larger project, our manufacturing experts are here to speed up your production process.
Ready to streamline your small part production? Get a free no-obligation quote today!
A few examples of the small parts BSG manufactures are:
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