{"id":43213,"date":"2022-10-27T08:00:00","date_gmt":"2022-10-27T12:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/?p=43213"},"modified":"2025-03-10T04:05:45","modified_gmt":"2025-03-10T08:05:45","slug":"what-industries-use-3d-printing","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.shapeways.com\/blog\/what-industries-use-3d-printing","title":{"rendered":"3D Printing Applications for Industrial Production"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
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After 3D printing over 20 million parts for over one million customers, it\u2019s safe to say that Shapeways has seen a lot when it comes to additive manufacturing<\/a>. Shapeways designers keep the innovations rolling in daily, motivating us to continually expand the lineup of advanced technology and materials for custom 3D printing services<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Research analysts project continued acceleration of the 3D printing market,<\/a> valued at USD 13.84 billion in 2021 and now expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 20.8% from 2022 to 2030. This includes additive manufacturing in a wide range of industrial applications. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

3D Printing Aerospace\/Drone Technology<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n

3D printing for aerospace technology is especially popular with drone manufacturers<\/a> because of the ability to customize and lightweight extremely strong parts, whether using materials like Nylon 12 [Versatile Plastic]<\/a> or metals like Aluminum<\/a>. <\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

3D printing in aerospace<\/a> is projected to reach USD 5.58 billion by 2026 at 25.7% CAGR. Drone technology commands about a third of the aerospace market for 3D printing with the ability to create rapid prototypes, high-performing functional parts, and replacement parts which can be made exponentially faster. Shapeways customers like Quantum-Systems<\/a> exemplify the efficacy of 3D printed drones, especially in demonstrating that medical test samples can be flown to labs in a fraction of the time when compared to other courier services. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Relying on materials like Nylon 12 [Versatile Plastic]<\/a> and MJF Plastic PA12<\/a>, Quantum-Systems has been working with Shapeways to 3D print drone parts since they founded their company in 2015. This additive manufacturing partnership allows Quantum-Systems to reduce design and production cycles for all their drones, from the initial design phase and rapid iteration of prototypes to preparing fully vetted parts that become functional end-use prototypes. There is a huge impact on the bottom line too as they save tens of thousands of dollars in pre-production and testing costs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other long-time Shapeways customers like Kespry<\/a> are 3D printing drone parts for aerial intelligence related to tasks in establishing risk assessment, assisting insurance agents in closing claims, overseeing earthwork operations in large-scale construction projects and collecting site data, and surveying large factory operations like pulp and paper mills. Their initial goal in 3D printing with Shapeways was to ensure repeatability and accuracy so parts could be manufactured on-demand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Beginning with drone covers to protect the mechanical inner workings of their UAVs, Kespry realized they could 3D print parts more economically with Nylon 12 [Versatile Plastic] or MJF PA12 in comparison to Injection Molding<\/a>\u2013as well as prototyping more efficiently and getting products to market faster.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Other applications for 3D printed drones include:<\/p>\n\n\n\n