INTRODUCTION

Mass customization is the ability of different services, such as 3D printing, to be scaled in size, color, material, dimensions, or other unique features of a part or piece. The potential of mass customization capabilities to revolutionize the manufacturing methods of today is tremendous; not only are customers able to receive the exact part they need, but they can also receive it in the quantity, color, and other specifications they need. This fulfills a need for individuals across a number of industries, from healthcare to aviation.

Traditionally, items that are mass-produced with methods such as injection molding are all similar and not flexible to the needs of each customer. This has been an issue, especially in connection with the medical field, where an un-customizable brace or other device causes an issue for the patient using it. Today, however, with 3D printing capabilities, doctors can order the tailor-made parts they need, to the specifications and measurements of their patients.

Additionally, personalized products are increasing in demand, due to the endless possibilities and options for creativity. With 3D printing, there are many options in material, color, finishes, and other details which all add to the customizability of 3D printed products.

Finally, 3D printing enables mass customization by allowing for faster prototyping processes which lead to faster production and use of new products for many companies. Rather than wait weeks or months for a prototype of a new product to come out, the company simply designs and orders their parts from a 3D printing company like JawsTec. Typically, they should receive their order within a week or less, depending on the complexity of the order. This is a great deal faster than traditional methods usually allow.

BENEFITS

With 3d printing, the creator is able to quickly and easily make adjustments or add details to their file without having to start over from scratch. After testing their products, they can adjust what is needed and then reprint the part, saving them the time and money that traditional modeling methods would require. Besides being faster and more cost-efficient, 3D printing is good for business because it allows for on-demand production, where parts are produced as needed, saving the cost of inventory storage and lead times. This can be a major cut in cost for businesses, which ultimately will boost their profits and lower their overhead costs.

Not only are 3D printed parts cheaper and quicker than parts produced in other methods, but they are also more accurate and precise when it comes to customized pieces. This can be vitally important for many industries that rely on exact specifications for their products. 3D printing is

a great way to produce parts that are complex in design or need to have internal structures. Because of the layer-by-layer nature of 3D printing, it is simple to design and print a file with an internal structure that would otherwise be difficult to achieve with traditional methods. 3D printed parts also come with many options in color, finish, surfaces, and material, making them even more customizable. This can be a game-changer for individuals or companies with specific requirements for their parts.

Finally, 3D printing is not only extremely cost and material efficient, but it is also good for the environment. Its streamlined production process is green in every sense; reducing waste and saving energy, while remaining reliable and helpful to every business or individual today.

CHALLENGES

Although 3D printing may seem like a perfect solution to all manufacturing issues, it does have several drawbacks. First, the actual equipment is very costly as well as the raw materials used to print. Secondly, most people will need to learn some technical skills in order to operate the equipment and to create the CAD files which are required for the machine to work. Additionally, there are some limitations with 3D printing, such as the materials that can be printed with, the scalability of some items, and accessibility of 3D printing in some areas. Finally, because additive manufacturing is on the cutting edge of manufacturing technology, there are new legal concerns and issues that need to be addressed in the near future.

The higher cost of 3D printing equipment and materials can be an issue in some instances. It is not feasible for most individuals to purchase a $200,000 machine so they can print their own drone replacement parts. In that case, 3D printing companies, like JawsTec, become an ideal option. While there are machines on the market that are great for individual home use, they are often not as capable or widely accessible for many people.

Besides being expensive to own and operate, 3D printing machines require special skills and knowledge in order to produce parts. For example, many machines can only print off 3D CAD files, which can be difficult to create and design. Once again, hiring a CAD file designer can be the way to go for many customers.

Another issue with 3D printing is the limitations in scalability, materials, and availability for some industries. Because of the newness of the technology, new materials and other advancements that will be suitable in many situations are still being developed, which will hopefully overcome these issues in the near future.

Finally, there are a number of legal issues surrounding additive manufacturing and 3D printing technologies. For instance, one common application of 3D printing is for medical purposes such as braces or prosthetics. When a 3D printed medical device malfunctions, who is responsible for the issue is difficult to determine. Additionally, with the use of 3D scanners, patent protected

items become open to piracy. Finally, it is also possible for 3D printers to produce illegal items or weapons. This can cause even more issues which are still being figured out today. The lack of clear guidelines is a problem that needs attention and development.

CONCLUSION

With 3D printing, mass customization becomes even more useful than before. Today, additive manufacturing technology allows for an endless variety of parts and pieces to be produced by a single kind of machine. This is revolutionary for the manufacturing industry.

However, there are some concerns surrounding the use of 3D printers in today’s society. These concerns include liability issues, patent infringement problems, and illegal item production. Hopefully, these situations will be cleared up in the near future with the development of regulations and guidelines, but without impacting the freedom of creativity.