The Future of Manufacturing: How Additive Manufacturing is Transforming the Industry, and How CREAT3D is Leading the Way
In today’s manufacturing landscape, companies are presented with an array of emerging technologies, each promising to bring about significant business impact. Many of these require extensive investments and specialist skills to deploy, while others—like additive manufacturing (AM), also known as 3D printing—can be implemented quickly and affordably. While AM is not a new technology in industrial settings, its applications and capabilities are constantly evolving, making it an increasingly valuable asset for modern manufacturers.
Recently, The Manufacturer paid a visit to CREAT3D’s headquarters near Reading to gain insight into the company’s unique approach to bringing 3D printing into the manufacturing mainstream. CREAT3D’s work showcases how additive manufacturing, far from being a niche technology, is fast becoming essential for a range of engineering and manufacturing applications, from prototyping to full-scale production.
The Three Pillars of CREAT3D’s Business Model
CREAT3D’s approach to additive manufacturing revolves around three main areas: providing 3D printers and support, offering a 3D printing bureau, and delivering engineering services to help companies unlock the full potential of AM technology.
1. Reselling and Technical Support: CREAT3D serves as a trusted reseller of 3D printers, working closely with customers to enhance their understanding of where additive manufacturing can be applied. They supply 3D printers and provide technical support and applications engineering to ensure that clients can make the most of their investment.
2. 3D Printing Bureau (Layerparts.com): Recognizing that not every business is ready to bring 3D printing in-house, CREAT3D offers a 3D printing bureau under the name Layerparts.com. This service allows companies to access high-quality 3D printing without committing to buying their own equipment, with a broad range of materials available, including high-performance options suitable for complex applications.
3. Engineering Services: CREAT3D goes beyond simply providing equipment by offering services to assist with the digitization of parts, redesign for additive manufacturing, and upscaling operations. They also educate client teams on how best to use 3D printing in their processes, raising awareness about the benefits of AM technology.
With customers ranging from SMEs to multinationals, CREAT3D’s versatile offerings are proving invaluable to manufacturing companies looking to stay competitive in an ever-changing landscape.
How Additive Manufacturing is Changing Manufacturing Processes
In recent years, the capabilities of 3D printers have expanded dramatically. Today, 3D printers can work with a wide variety of materials, including powders like nylon and TPU, resins for prototyping, and carbon fiber composites for strong, lightweight parts. CREAT3D offers access to all these materials, allowing manufacturers to produce everything from injection mold tools to end-use parts.
Simon Chandler, CREAT3D’s Managing Director, explains that the company’s customers are increasingly finding success using 3D printing for “low-volume, high-value” applications. The UK manufacturing sector excels in producing complex parts in smaller quantities, making additive manufacturing a perfect fit.
With the right 3D printing solution, companies can create custom components, jigs, and fixtures for their specific production needs. The technology also allows manufacturers to bring innovative designs to market quickly, iterating and adapting products based on customer feedback without the need for expensive retooling.
Key Trends Driving the Adoption of Additive Manufacturing
According to Chandler, three significant trends are driving the adoption of AM technology within the manufacturing industry:
1. Onshoring and Localizing Supply Chains: With recent disruptions in global supply chains, many manufacturers are looking to bring production closer to home. Onshoring parts reduces reliance on overseas suppliers and minimizes lead times, giving companies more control over their operations.
2. Sustainability: Traditional manufacturing models that rely on producing, shipping, and storing components in large quantities often lead to waste. Additive manufacturing enables companies to produce only what they need, reducing waste and minimizing the environmental impact associated with transport and storage. This is particularly relevant in cases where parts become obsolete due to changes in design or demand.
3. Flexibility in Response to Changing Demand: The rapid pace of change in consumer preferences requires manufacturers to be agile and adaptable. Additive manufacturing supports this need by allowing companies to make adjustments to products on the fly. Rather than committing to large production runs, businesses can produce parts as needed, enabling them to pivot and adapt to new requirements with minimal risk.
These trends underscore the potential of additive manufacturing to help businesses stay competitive in a dynamic marketplace.
The Expanding Role of Additive Manufacturing Beyond Prototyping
Initially, 3D printing was primarily used for prototyping, allowing companies to design and test new products quickly and affordably. However, as the technology has advanced, additive manufacturing has moved beyond prototyping and now supports full-scale production.
Today, many of CREAT3D’s clients are using 3D printers to create jigs, fixtures, and tooling that support their existing production lines. The cost savings can be substantial—up to 90% in some cases—and the process is often faster and more efficient than traditional methods. In certain cases, companies are even using 3D printing for end-use components, providing an alternative to traditional manufacturing techniques like injection molding.
As Chandler notes, AM allows companies to launch new products with minimal risk. Rather than investing in costly injection mold tools, manufacturers can start with 3D-printed parts, adapting and iterating based on customer feedback. This flexibility not only de-risks product development but also empowers companies to innovate faster and respond to changing market demands.
Overcoming Challenges in Adopting Additive Manufacturing
Despite its advantages, many companies are still hesitant to fully embrace 3D printing. According to CREAT3D, this often stems from a lack of knowledge within organizations about how to deploy the technology effectively. In many cases, a junior engineer with some exposure to 3D printing may be tasked with overseeing the process, even though this responsibility should ideally be handled at the director level.
CREAT3D’s approach to addressing this challenge is to offer education and training to help businesses understand the potential of additive manufacturing. By empowering decision-makers with the information they need, CREAT3D is helping to pave the way for wider adoption of AM technology in the UK.
Another barrier to adoption is the time required to explore and implement new technologies. For SMEs in particular, time and resources are often stretched thin, making it challenging to invest in new solutions. Ironically, additive manufacturing can help businesses save time by streamlining production processes and reducing dependency on external suppliers. Once a company realizes the time-saving benefits of 3D printing, they are often quick to embrace it as a valuable tool in their operations.
The Potential ROI of Additive Manufacturing
The return on investment (ROI) for additive manufacturing can be impressive, especially given the technology’s versatility. While emerging technologies typically offer an ROI in the range of three to five years, CREAT3D estimates that companies can expect a payback period of as little as three to six months when they deploy 3D printing effectively.
CREAT3D works with its clients to identify the application with the highest potential for impact. Once a 3D printer is in place, engineers often discover additional uses for it, accelerating ROI. For instance, the endurance racing team Jota Sport used their 3D printer to develop a custom camera system required by new regulations. Not only did this solve their immediate challenge, but it also allowed them to sell the solution to other teams, recouping their investment almost immediately.
CREAT3D’s Mission: Cutting Through the Hype and Driving Real-World Impact
The additive manufacturing industry has faced its share of hype. Early on, 3D printers were portrayed as magical devices capable of creating anything and everything. However, the reality is that 3D printing has limitations and is best suited to specific applications. By focusing on educating customers and showcasing real-world applications, CREAT3D aims to cut through the noise and demonstrate the tangible benefits of 3D printing.
At their Reading showroom, CREAT3D offers clients the opportunity to see their technology in action, test proof of concepts, and experience the capabilities of their equipment firsthand. This hands-on approach helps businesses understand the potential of AM and lays the foundation for successful implementation.
Conclusion
As the demand for localized supply chains, sustainability, and adaptability continues to grow, additive manufacturing is poised to play an increasingly central role in the future of manufacturing. Through its innovative approach, CREAT3D is helping UK businesses harness the power of 3D printing to reduce costs, increase flexibility, and drive long-term success.
By focusing on education, engineering support, and practical applications, CREAT3D is not just selling 3D printers—they’re building a future where additive manufacturing is an essential tool for companies of all sizes, enabling them to stay competitive and thrive in a fast-paced, ever-evolving world.
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