One issue with 3D printing for potential users is justifying the expense.

Tooling (jigs and fixtures) are often an expensive, time involved, but highly necessary aspect of manufacturing.

By using 3D printers to speed up the development of tooling, users get immediate cost return benefits.

3D printing can help users create jigs and fixtures fast for minimal cost. The cost is primarily the cost of the material.  It will take a printer less than a day to create the fixture in most cases.  But an often unmentioned benefit is that you can develop a fixture with ergonomic features that make it easier for factory personnel to use, or you can include features and shapes that can improve accuracy and tolerances for final part production.

Listen as Bruce Bradshaw of Stratasys Ltd. goes over some of these key benefits of using 3D printing for tooling.

 

Leslie Langnau
llangnau@wtwhmedia.com