What are the reasons for the limited adoption of metal 3D printers?

Would you like to develop new products with designs (DfAM) that are possible only with metal 3D printers (additive manufacturing)?

The awareness of metal 3D printers is steadily increasing year by year, but it cannot be said that many companies in Japan are actually able to utilize metal 3D printers. As a general observation, while Japanese companies tend to consider the use of metal 3D printers as an extension of existing manufacturing methods, in Europe, the United States, and China, there is a mindset of designing and creating things that cannot be achieved with traditional methods through metal 3D printing (additive manufacturing). When comparing to traditional methods, the disadvantages of metal 3D printers are generally cited as follows: ■ Dimensional accuracy comparable to machining is not achievable (precision casting level) ■ Surface roughness is around Ra10 to 25 ■ (Depending on the size of the product) not suitable for mass production ■ Cost **Compared to our company that owns powder bed fusion (PBF) metal 3D printers. Instead of focusing on these disadvantages, it is important to concentrate on the advantages that can be enjoyed specifically because of metal 3D printers and to consider product development through new design (DfAM). We hope to assist you in this regard, so please feel free to consult with us first.

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