MCADCafe Industry Predictions for 2019 – Cincinnati Incorporated

Additive manufacturing (AM) or 3D printing will continue to have a significant impact on business in 2019.  In additive manufacturing, software slices a 3D CAD model into layers to build a functional part layer by layer.  AM is not one process or material but a wide variety of ways to build a part bit by bit.  AM will not be used for everything.  However, there are some applications that will no longer make sense to use conventional methods. New unforeseen applications will also emerge.

What will we see new in 2019?

• The cost to make AM parts will be lower. New and improved processes are lowering production costs.
• Larger quantities of parts will be made with additive as production speed and operating costs are reduced. Companies like GE and GKN are moving to production of large quantities of production parts.
• Additive is not just for small parts. Large plastic parts can be made with BAAM and new machines can make larger and large metal parts.
• New applications for additive will emerge that no one thought would make sense before.
• Additive manufacturing machines will begin to see a higher level of automation.
• The cost of AM machines will reduce while the value of AM machines to businesses and consumers will increase dramatically
• Additive manufacturing experience will be a common skill for graduating college students entering the workforce.

Where can AM be justified?

• Where several or many parts can be combined into one.
• Where the performance of the final product can justify the production cost of additive manufacturing.
• Where quantities are too low for production tooling.

What is holding AM back?

• There are a lack of people trained in additive manufacturing including design for AM, programming and operating equipment.
• Another important issue is typically the additive process is only half of making the final part. Post processing or secondary operations are often necessary.  Becoming good at the post processing is crucial.
• Understanding of the different processes and where they can be effectively implemented.

An Austrian economist Joseph Schumpeter came up with the theory of creative destruction as the cornerstone of Capitalism.  New products and processes will replace older ones.  Additive manufacturing will replace some of the old ways of making things and those processes will fade or go away.  There is significant industrial investment in the development of new and innovative AM processes and machines.  Understanding the additive is the first step to making sure that you are not investing in old technology in 2019.

How do you get involved in additive manufacturing in 2019?

• Attend a major trade show and conference like RAPID. https://rapid3devent.com/
• Sign up for a webinar or view a recording of a webinar on an introduction to additive like you can find on our web site. https://www.e-ci.com/additive-webinars/
• Buy a small affordable industrial machine like a CINCINATI SAAM and get started on making parts. https://www.e-ci.com/saam 

Christopher (Chris) Haid is the General Manager of the NVBOTS Business Unit at Cincinnati Incorporated (CI). Chris previously served as Engineering Manager of the NVBOTS Business Unit at CI. Prior to NVBOTS’ acquisition by CI, Chris served as founder and General Manager of New Valence Robotics Corporation (NVBOTS), an MIT 3D printing spin-off. Chris holds a BS ’14 in Mechanical Engineering from MIT. His studies focus on thermodynamics, advanced materials for next generation nuclear reactor designs, and neutron transmutation doping of high purity silicon wafers for use in the microcircuit semiconductor industry. Prior to founding NVBOTS, Chris served as supervisor of MIT’s nuclear reactor laboratory. Chris is a serial inventor with several granted patents and has won several invention awards. In 2015, Chris was selected by Forbes 30 under 30 in manufacturing

Rick Neff is Additive Manufacturing Product Manager at Cincinnati Incorporated, manufacturer of manufacturing machinery. He is an expert on the additive manufacturing market. Rick sells and markets BAAM and SAAM 3D printers. He is a Lehigh Engineer that worked for three fortune 500 companies before moving to CI 26 years ago. An active member of the SME, IACMI and AMUG he is interested in additive manufacturing, composites, laser technology and manufacturing innovation.

Tags: Industry Predictions

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