Design for 3D printing - Functional integration

To fully leverage the exceptional design freedom of 3D printing, one must look beyond the individual component level and instead identify which problem a printed component could solve.

The best business cases for 3D printing are not those where an existing part is simply replaced by a printed equivalent, but where the use of a printed component offers added functionality, greater performance, and lower cost across the entire system. A proven way to achieve these benefits is through functional integration:

3D printing can produce complex parts with obstructed geometry such as undercuts, cavities, and internal channels. For a conventional manufacturing route, such features require several individual parts with downstream joining and assembly operations. With 3D printing, designers can consolidate these parts into a single component and facilitate assembly, eliminate potential failure points, and shorten their bill of materials.

If you want to exploit those benefits but don’t know how to get started, our experts can support you along each step of the way – from identification of the challenge to final physical product.

An example of functional integration can be seen in the video below, which shows how we helped Tetra Pak print a nozzle for ice extrusion.