Roadmap

The Gradual Adoption of 3D printing, or Additive Manufacturing

 Steps

Prototypes

 

  • Commodity polymers
  • Low cost, low risk
  • Form, fit, function
  • Fast design iterations

Production aids 

 

  • Engineering polymers
  • Medium cost, low risk
  • Tangible benefits – ergonomics, repeatability, touch time

 Substitution

Reversible modifications 

 

 

  • Medium risk
  • Increased functionality
  • Reduced lead times
  • May need to use alternative material

Legacy parts

 

 

  • Make parts with no drawings or tooling
  • Medium risk
  • Polymer or metal
  • May need to use alternative material
2 Existing part substitution

 Products

 

  • High risk
  • Metals and polymers
  • Open new markets
  • Competitive advantage
  • Need to qualify process and materials