In the world of modern technology, industry is constantly evolving, providing enterprises with new tools to improve production processes. One of the key areas of development is the introduction of additive technologies, in particular 3D printing, into production processes. In this article, we will look at the differences between additive technologies and traditional manufacturing, identifying their advantages and disadvantages.
Additive technologies: innovations in production
Additive manufacturing (or 3D printing) is an innovative approach in which a product is created by layering material layer by layer in accordance with a digital model. The process is carried out using a 3D printer and data from STL files obtained from a computer model (CAD).
The advantages of this technology include:
- Fast and flexible production setup — 3D printing makes it easy to adjust and change process parameters, which speeds up the creation of new products and prototypes.
- Saving materials — unlike traditional production, where the material can be overprocessed, additive technologies make it possible to use the material only in the required areas. This reduces consumption and minimizes waste.
- Efficiency in the production of complex shapes — additive technologies make it possible to create high-precision parts and products with complex geometries, taking into account the specific needs of each client.
Among the disadvantages of additive manufacturing are the following:
- Limited performance — The additive manufacturing process, although innovative, usually takes more time than traditional technologies. This could be a limiting factor for mass production.
- High equipment costs — investments in equipment for additive manufacturing can be significant, especially for creating large and high-precision products. This creates barriers for small businesses and startups.
- Material restrictions — Currently, the choice of materials for additive manufacturing is limited compared to traditional production. Some materials may be difficult to use in the additive process or may not have the required properties.
Traditional production: established methods
Traditional technologies are an industry focused on manufacturing products in large volumes using machining and standard production methods. Examples of traditional methods include die casting, forging, milling and turning, and the manufacture of parts using CNC machines. These processes make it possible to create mass-purpose products with high speed and efficiency.
The advantages of traditional production include:
- Greater performance — traditional methods are highly efficient, which makes it possible to mass produce products and ensure a high volume of manufactured products.
- Wide range of materials — traditional production involves the use of a large number of different materials, which allows you to choose the best solutions for a particular product.
- Economic efficiency — the use of molds and standard production lines reduces production costs. In addition, compared to additive manufacturing, traditional manufacturing is cheaper in terms of the initial costs of purchasing equipment.
Disadvantages of traditional production:
- Limited flexibility — Traditional production processes are less flexible in terms of changing or adjusting to new market requirements, which makes it less adaptive.
- High storage costs — traditional production requires significant space for storing large volumes of finished products, which leads to additional costs for organizing and maintaining a warehouse.
- Limited ability to create complex geometries — The forms and tools used in traditional production do not always make it possible to produce parts of complex shapes, including those with curved internal channels or thin walls. This limits the production of exclusive products and elements with specific geometries.
Comparison and perspectives
Both approaches have their own unique characteristics and applications. Traditional production remains the preferred choice for mass production of standard products that require high enterprise productivity. Additive manufacturing is becoming increasingly popular in areas where individual solutions, complex geometric shapes and rapid changes in the production process are important.
In the future, we can expect a synthesis of these methods when manufacturers use hybrid approaches, combining the advantages of both technologies to achieve maximum efficiency and flexibility in production.
The role of PZPS in integrating traditions and innovations
Main PZPS products — cold-rolled strip made of steels and precision alloys — serves as the basis for traditional production processes. These materials are widely used in various industries that require high strength and accuracy.
However, operating at the enterprise research center expands the range of the plant's capabilities. Specialists are ready to help companies that are introducing innovations in the form of 3D printing with research. This allows the PZPS to remain competitive and adaptive to modern market requirements. Such a flexible and balanced approach is key to a successful transition to a future where traditional and additive technologies will complement each other and create a sustainable basis for development.
