Additive Manufacturing Trends 2024
How does Guy Menchik, CTO of Stratasys, see additive manufacturing trends in 2024, with a focus on artificial intelligence, automation, and sustainable innovation?
As a global leader in additive manufacturing (AM), Stratasys is well-positioned to identify the most important trends in the industrial AM market and the industries it serves. As we enter a new year, it’s natural to look back at what we’ve learned from the past year and look ahead. Below, I’ll highlight some of the key trends that have impacted the AM industry over the past year and are likely to continue to have a strong presence in 2024.
2023 was a transformative year for the world in many ways. One thing is certain: the industry continued to be innovative and thriving, with the global manufacturing industry continuing to experience positive growth. Additive manufacturing continues to play a role in this growth, and some of the key trends we have identified are contributing to this growth.
Automation
Automation is a global trend affecting all sectors, and its impact on the AM industry was significant in 2023.
Automation is actually an umbrella term – it is actually multifaceted and encompasses a wide range of additional trends and specific areas of innovation and development that have and will have a direct impact on additive manufacturing technologies.
In a general sense, automation enables process optimization, whereby the AM process itself and/or the entire workflow becomes more efficient. In this way, automation technologies enable additive manufacturing processes to be made more efficient, increasing productivity and reducing manufacturing times and overall costs, including the all-important cost per part. Automation also impacts pre- and post-processing processes. Thus, automation proves to be a key factor in the entire AM workflow to ensure better repeatability, tighter process control and higher production capacity.
Add intelligence: Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning, two of the main drivers of additive manufacturing automation, have advanced throughout 2023. Some key AI and machine learning developments can be applied in a variety of ways to AM processes, enabling the optimization of intelligent machines and parts.
For parts, increased computing power and AI-based algorithms generate more accurate simulations, which can help predict (and thus avoid) failures more effectively. These technologies also support more effective predictive maintenance for additive manufacturing systems themselves , significantly reducing machine downtime and improving overall productivity. As we move forward into 2024, AI will likely continue to advance to improve AM applications and contribute to making additive manufacturing systems more flexible, better able to handle variation and geometric complexity.
Transition from prototyping to production
In the nearly four decades since its inception, 3D printing has traditionally been used for prototyping, which by definition means that the quantity of parts was low, often just a single piece. The additive manufacturing ever-increasing development of In 2023, we could see this evolution continue and accelerate even further, to the point where additive manufacturing technologies and AM-specific materials (filament/resin/powder) are now also available for much higher volume manufacturing.
Key factors driving this transformation include higher-performance raw materials; end-to-end optimization of processes, including post-processing; increased productivity and efficiency; and improved yield, process reliability, and repeatability.
Application performance is a critical issue for end-user components. the increased growth in 2023 compared to previous years of manufacturing applications .
Personalization
We are obviously aware that “personalization” has been a typical benefit of additive manufacturing since the beginning of additive technologies. And this continues to be the case in terms of providing customized parts tailored to the needs of the end user, whether it is a personalized healthcare approach or personal preferences for a wide range of consumer products. It is difficult to imaginewhere this will not be the case. At the same time, on the industrial front, a clear trend has emerged towards a smart AM customer approach for applications that require personalized AM technologies. This trend is increasingly observed in the dental and medical industries, and is also driving the development and adoption of customized systems in other key industries.
Paying attention to the industry, collaborating with them, understanding their unique requirements, and developing and integrating technology solutions into a customized system is one way Stratasys stays ahead.
Sustainability
Sustainability is integral to Stratasys’ mission, as we recognize the unique value that additive manufacturing.We are dedicated to redesigning products, processes, and parts to benefit people and the planet – we call it Mindful Manufacturing™. This approach to research, design, and manufacturing requires a shift in mindset as the value of AM with our customers and share a commitment to innovation with a reduced ecological footprint. We are working internally to improve our own operations, focusing on redesigning our machines, and for implementing additive manufacturing to help them determine the value they achieve when for their business they choose Stratasys equipment
Additive manufacturing can contribute to sustainable strategies, support optimized manufacturing processes, and improve supply chains. As a global company, Stratasys is proactively committed to responsible business conduct. Four of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals are directly linked to our ability to make a significant impact on sustainability under the banner of Mindful Manufacturing™.
We are implementing an ESG strategy that goes beyond compliance, driven by the belief that “doing good” is good for healthy, long-term business growth. Our technologies, materials and software enable manufacturing that is less dependent on natural resources, produces less waste and improves supply chains. We are now preparing to gather data with our customers to demonstrate the value AM brings to their business.
This value proposition is realized at different points in the manufacturing and product lifecycle, depending on the use case. For example, in the aerospace industry, unique geometries of printing result in parts that are durable and high-quality at a fraction of their previous weight; and when applied to aircraft, they significantly reduce fuel consumption. In the fashion industry, we reduce unnecessary inventory and optimize supply chains by printing on-site and on-demand. This is simply not possible with traditional manufacturing methods. Our patient-specific healthcare products improve surgical outcomes and save lives. Is there anything more sustainable than that?
Manufacturing is resource-intensive, that’s for sure, but there are ways to reduce and/or mitigate resource use. A recent project we were involved in in late 2023 illustrates how AM can make a difference. Reeves Insight was commissioned by the Additive Manufacturing Green Trade Association (AMGTA) to conduct a life cycle analysis report. The report, titled “Comparative Analysis: Material Jetting vs. Traditional Methods for Designer Luxury Goods,” details the results of a year-long study that examined the transition from traditional manufacturing methods to industrial AM for a given application. Key findings from the study include a 24.8% reduction in CO2e emissions compared to traditional processes; a 49.9% reduction in inventory in the supply chain, which also reduces and streamlines associated transportation needs; and 50.0% less material in the 3D printed logo component. The study also showed that over 300,000 liters of water were saved for the 16,000 units and electricity consumption was reduced by 64%. We are working to move forward with our internal efforts. We are not “going green”, but reducing our footprint through renewable energy and continuous improvements. However, sustainability is a path we have embarked on and we know that “what cannot be measured cannot be improved”, which is why we work to support our customers, humanity and our planet.
Summary
In summary, it is impossible to accurately predict what the next 12 months will hold in early 2024. Yet, at Stratasys, we are confident that our advanced additive manufacturing technologies will continue to provide innovative opportunities for an ever-expanding range of manufacturing applications. We do not take our industry leadership for granted, and in 2024, we will continue to build on our decades of success with our customers, listening to them, and collaborating with them to grow their businesses.
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