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In the world of industrial manufacturing, staying ahead of the curve is more than just a strategy — it’s a necessity. One of the most transformative technologies in recent years is Additive Manufacturing (AM), commonly known as 3D printing. 

According to a report by Wohlers Associates, the global AM market was valued at $12.8 billion in 2020, and it’s projected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 25% to reach nearly $51 billion by 2030. This rapid growth is largely due to the technology’s ability to reduce lead times, lower costs, and enable more flexible production processes.

While the term might still evoke images of small-scale prototypes or hobbyist projects, the reality is that AM has matured into a powerful tool that’s reshaping industries. Here’s why you, as an industrial manufacturer, should care about this revolution.

The Impact of Additive Manufacturing:

1. Unleashing Design Freedom
   Traditional manufacturing methods often come with limitations. Complex geometries, intricate details, or unique customizations can be costly (if not impossible) to achieve. Additive manufacturing machine tools break down these barriers by building parts layer by layer, enabling the creation of complex structures with CNC and DMLS 3D printers.
   
   Whether you’re in aerospace, automotive, medical devices, or consumer goods, additive manufacturing technologies allow for unparalleled design freedom, giving you the flexibility to innovate with rapid manufacturing.
   
   Imagine being able to design components with internal lattice structures to reduce weight without sacrificing strength, or creating custom-fit parts tailored to specific applications — all with minimal additional cost. The design possibilities with AM are virtually unlimited, allowing manufacturers to push the boundaries of what’s possible.
   
2. Accelerating Time-to-Market
   Additive Manufacturing significantly reduces lead times by eliminating the need for complex tooling and setups. Parts can go from digital design to physical reality in a matter of hours or days, rather than weeks or months. This agility allows manufacturers to respond quickly to market demands, iterate designs faster, and bring products to market ahead of the competition.
   
   For industries where time-to-market is critical, such as consumer electronics or automotive, this rapid prototyping capability can be a game-changer. It speeds up the development process and enables faster adjustments based on real-world testing, ensuring that your products are optimized before they hit the market.
   
3. Reducing Waste and Costs
   Traditional subtractive manufacturing processes often result in significant material waste, as parts are typically machined from solid blocks of material. In contrast, the 3D printing manufacturing industry is inherently more efficient. Additive Manufacturing uses only the material necessary to build the part. This reduction in waste not only cuts material costs, but also contributes to more sustainable manufacturing practices.
   
   AM can also lower costs associated with inventory and logistics. By producing parts on-demand and closer to the point of use, manufacturers can reduce the need for large inventories and the associated storage costs. This shift toward a more just-in-time production model can streamline operations and improve overall efficiency.
   
4. Enabling Mass Customization
   One of the most exciting aspects of Additive Manufacturing is its potential for mass customization. In an era where consumers are increasingly seeking personalized products, AM allows manufacturers to meet these demands without the prohibitive costs associated with traditional customization. Whether it’s custom medical implants, bespoke automotive components, or tailored consumer goods, AM makes it possible to produce unique, individualized products at scale.
   

The Most Successful Additive Machining Technologies for Industrial Applications

You may have questions beyond the basics of “What is additive manufacturing?” — such as when to use DMLS vs. SLS, when to use fused deposition modeling 3D printing, or how EOS additive manufacturing can support your needs. As additive manufacturing technologies continue to evolve, certain methods have emerged as particularly successful in industrial applications. At Hartwig Additive, we partner with industry-leading companies to bring you the best solutions for your specific requirements:

• Powder Bed Fusion (PBF): We partner with EOS, a global leader in PBF technology, to offer solutions widely used in industries like aerospace, automotive, and healthcare. EOS additive machine PBF systems are known for producing complex, high-strength parts from both metal and polymer powders that can be used for SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) machines and DMLS (Direct Metal Laser Sintering) additive manufacturing.
  
• Directed Energy Deposition (DED): Through our partnership with Formalloy, we provide advanced DED solutions that are ideal for repairing and adding material to existing components. DED often utilizes 3D metal printing, and is especially useful for large-scale parts in aerospace and heavy machinery, offering versatility and the ability to create functionally graded materials with various direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) machines.
  
• Binder Jetting and Material Extrusion (FFF): We collaborate with Markforged to deliver cutting-edge additive manufacturing machines such as the Binder Jetting and Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) technologies. Markforged’s fused deposition modeling systems are known for their ability to produce strong, end-use metal parts and high-performance polymer components.
  

Contact Hartwig Additive for SLS Machines, DMLS Printers & More

Additive Manufacturing is no longer a futuristic concept — it’s a here-and-now reality that is transforming the way products are designed, manufactured, and delivered. As an industrial manufacturer, embracing additive engineering can provide you with a competitive edge: enabling you to innovate faster, reduce costs, and meet the demands of an ever-changing market. The question isn’t whether you should explore additive printing, it’s how soon you can start.

At Hartwig Additive, we’re here to help you navigate 3D printing manufacturing. Let’s explore how Additive Manufacturing, supported by our trusted partners like EOS, Markforged, and Formalloy, can revolutionize your operations and position your business for the future. Contact Hartwig Additive today for more information.