How Big 3D Printers Are Transforming Industrial Prototyping Workflows

There is a big shift in industrial prototyping. Developing full-scale prototypes was a time-consuming, expensive process requiring multiple parts, complex assembly and specific tooling for all these years. The integration of new technologies in the world of design are deeply influencing how products come to life, and we’re seeing this first hand where large scale 3D printing enables us unique opportunities for both creativity and innovation.

Accelerating Time-to-Market with Single-Piece Printing

The most immediate benefit of 3D printing at scale is the potential to massively slim down prototyping time. In a traditional set up, such a large prototype would have been made in multiple smaller stages – step one to arrive at the model, then step two and so on. The parts needed to each be printed separately and strategically pieced together, often sacrificing strength and reliability. This could take weeks.

Today, big-build-volume 3D printers enable engineers to print these same prototypes as one, whole part. This does away with the assembly process altogether, a step which would normally take weeks can now be done in just days. Designers relate with an entire model in their hands far more quickly that can be passive even more rapidly for form, and function. As such, it facilitates more iterations in the same time frame of a project which leads to higher-quality tested product that gets to market faster.

Unlock Limitation-breaking Design Freedom and Complexity

Limits of traditional manufacturing can be limiting in that sense as well, and designers have to back off their vision. Complex geometries especially internal features and Organic shapes were not viable or too costly for prototype production. The limitations of traditional large-format mold making, however, are absent with large-format 3D printing. Widest possible choice the production principle is additive i.e. the objects are built up layer by layer, which means that complexity might not bring higher cost with it.

This is the technology that allows engineers to prototype things they could never have dreamed up before. They will enable users to print large parts with honeycomb structures embedded which are designed for the highest possible strength-to-weight ratios, functional prototypes with internal channels for fluid dynamics testing or high-detail artistic models at full scale. This flexibility enables innovation so companies can attempt more avantgarde designs, testing optimized shapes without worrying about manufacturability when in the prototyping phase.

Costs Dropping and the Focus is on Materials

Economic Efficiency Economic efficiency is the lifeblood of manufacturing, and massive 3D printers save you big money during prototype development. The most direct saving being a decrease in labour and time. In addition, additive methods are just intrinsically more efficient than subtractive processes that cut away from a block of material and produce plenty of waste.

And companies can now create one large prototype with only the material required to make the part. This reduction in waste helps to lower cost of extrudate and also is more adaptable to environmentally friendly manufacturing process. Being able to rapidly prototype in-house with a competent machine also cuts down on the dependence of an outside niche fabricator and the necessary logistical processes, enabling teams to control their schedule and more securely protect their IP.

The Dowell 3D Model for Advanced Prototyping Solutions

We have seen this change play out at Dowell 3D. Since 2014 we are pursuing this mission with a portfolio of innovative and reliable printer, filament and other 3D printing products. Our line of industrial FDM and FGF 3D printer is designed to fulfill the needs of professionals in search for a tool capable to produce parts from most common plastic materials. We know that a prototype is not just a model, but it's an important part of the innovation process.

And we don't just stop at the hardware. We invest heavily in certifying and testing a broad range of advanced materials so you have the choice you need, and so that your prototypes are strong, clear and precise. Our ongoing software updates allow you to be in control of the entire printing experience, ensuring stellar quality and performance. Our highly experienced technical team importantly is there to support, offering a full service and helping you customise any aspect of your product and overcome any technical issues to help manufactures turn their most creative concepts into reality quickly and with confidence.

Large scale 3D printing is not simply an evolved process, it is a completely new way to approach industrial production. The technology is allowing engineers and designers to prototype single piece complex objects more quickly and for less cost than ever before, unleashing new levels of engineering creativity and innovation: in short, the future of manufacturing one huge prototype at a time.