The injection molding market is growing phenomenally, with the best players expanding their market share by adding innovative and quality offerings. Co-terminus with that growth are 3D metal printing services sought by most industries.
Popularly known as metal additive manufacturing, 3D metal printing is experiencing high demand due to its transformative capabilities over traditional manufacturing methods.
Among the market drivers is the jumping demand for lightweight components in automation and robotics. For the auto industry, the demand for 3D metal printing is rising as the industry wants to innovate faster, with solutions that solve complex designing challenges in producing efficient vehicles, optimize manufacturing processes, and create sustainable supply chains.
3D printing for automotive industry are staples for interior components like trim pieces, air vents, and seat components.
Overall, the expanding market of Electric Vehicles (EVs) is driving it further, as its applications extend to battery enclosures, motor housings, and components that maximize range and efficiency.
Since 3D metal printing builds parts layer by layer, it is the best for building intricate and complex designs in contrast to traditional subtractive methods involving machining, lattices, and organic shapes.
Thanks to 3D printing, multiple components can be designed and printed as a single part. The cuts away longer assembly time and reduces costs and imparts higher structural integrity with high performance. The 3D design also eliminates joints and potential failure points.
The personnel can also use software to optimize designs to meet performance criteria, as in strength-to-weight ratio, creating parts that are lighter yet stronger with a limited use of material.
Since additive manufacturing uses minimal material for a part, it significantly reduces waste compared to subtractive methods, where material is sliced from a larger block.
In the injection molding market, Brown Tool & Mold has made a mark with its high bar in design, world-class injection molds, and a wider range, including injection molds from 750-ton press size and under.
As for application areas in the automotive industry, both injection molding and 3D printing are vital in the engine components such as turbochargers, valves, connecting rods, and many high-temperature, high-pressure parts.
As automotive companies want to be competitive and be the best in quality, they are looking for the best partners who can offer world-class injection mold solutions and 3D metal printing services. So, companies with the capability for complete solutions in injection molding and allied services are set to rock.Â