Additive manufacturing delivers many benefits. But, as the AM industry continues to scale, the conventional approaches can’t keep up. With the increase in volume, the methods can hardly deliver repeatable results. The processes consume more time, with manual labor that does not scale with the growing needs. What’s more, the ever-increasing pressure means that inconsistent results will continue to be a problem. This means that most of the parts won’t meet customer-ready standards. Moreover, with high breakage rates, the traditional methods are expensive. Such issues can be addressed through automation.
As tech continues to revolutionize different sectors, the additive manufacturing post processing field hasn’t lagged. Automation is at the heart of AM processes. This includes robots and software, among other automation measures, making the processes more productive from design to post-production. Automation makes AM adoption a lot more efficient and appealing to manufacturers. But, what are the benefits of automation in additive manufacturing post-processing? Here are the top highlights that make automation a gem in AM field.
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Less wastage
Materials can dig deeper into an organization’s finances. With features such as 3D printing, AM doesn’t involve considerable wastes. This is as it involves the methodical materials additions. With minimal waste, manufacturers can cost-effectively furnish their requirements.
Less labor
Labor cost is among the most demanding aspects of running an organization. Without qualified labor, you can hardly maintain your operations. Nonetheless, the cost of maintaining a team isn’t that low. With automation, you can cut touch labor. This means freeing up resources that can profitably be designated elsewhere.
Lower costs
Less material wastage and lowered labor requirements are significant costs reductions. Nonetheless, they aren’t the only aspects that make automation a more cost-effective solution. With automation, the process doesn’t take as long. It also doesn’t demand as much attention to ensure everything is running well. You can, within a part of the time;
- Set the processes in motion
- Manage the progress
- And deliver quality matching the manufacturer’s needs
Such efficiency lowers operational costs while improving productivity. This makes automated additive manufacturing post-processing less costly. The financial benefit appeals to many manufacturers.
Consistency
Consistency can’t be stressed enough, an aspect that the conventional approach hasn’t excelled at over the years. Regardless of the geometry and other considerations, the tech can maintain the needed consistency. Automation delivers consistency levels that aren’t easy to maintain with manual systems. From the support removal to ensuring dependable surface finishing, you’ll enjoy consistent results. It is even easier to recreate and optimize legacy parts, a contribution that further propels automation popularity in AM.
As you hit the market for reliable and reputable AM solutions, you shouldn’t discount their facilities. A service might have been around for years. Nonetheless, if they haven’t invested in cutting-edge technology, you won’t be as satisfied. It’ll take longer to get the products, and the consistency levels, especially if you are all-tech, won’t be that appealing. Regardless of your industry, ensuring that an AM solution boasts state-of-the-art facilities should be on top of your checklist.