A decrease in 3D printing costs is driving big brands to embrace the decades-old technology.
The recent hype surrounding the dangers of 3D-printed firearms has not deterred companies, including Ford and Adidas, among others, from using this manufacturing technique to reduce production time and save money.
Ford recently announced that its use of 3D printing has reduced production time on some engine parts by as much as 25%. Commonly referred to as additive manufacturing, 3D printing has been used in the production of Ford cylinder heads, brake rotors and test vehicle rear axels. In the past, the automotive brand would cut moulds from sand, but now workers are able to create a digital model of the part before printing the object out in their desired material. Ford predicts that customers will soon be able to print replacement car parts at their local 3D printer, walking away with the new part in no time at all.
GE's use of the printing technology could mean that some of the parts on aircraft of the future will be 3D printed. The brand's Aviation unit currently 3D prints various components within the combustion system of its jet engines. According to senior VP and director of GE's global research group, Mark Little, this manufacturing method is more efficient and should save the company money in the future. "We can make these parts in a way that we simply couldn't make them before."
Sports brands Adidas and Nike have also jumped on the 3D-printing bandwagon. According to Adidas, using 3D-printed soles in shoes has reduced the prototype testing process from six weeks to a day or two. For Nike, the manufacturing method has been used to print elements of the boots it has created for professional American footballers. In the past, the development of new shoe prototypes required more than 10 specialised technicians; 3D printing would reduce this to no more than two people.
3D printing in the footwear industry could bring about the creation of individually tailored shoes.
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