Shaping up: Ever 3D Printer in Toronto Has a Future in Manufacturing

A CBC News article posted last November 7, 2013 discusses the potential of 3D printing in the manufacturing industry. Previously a costly and crude technology, 3D printing is now more affordable and suitable for various applications. The article interviews several industry experts who see a great future for 3D printer usage:

Southway said the skilled workforce in Canada has to evolve to keep up with the changing technology.

“We can’t afford not to do this. This is a very portable technology. Very soon everyone will have this technology,” Southway said. “If we don’t do it, someone else will and we won’t be in the game.”

Jill Urbanic , an associate professor in the department of mechanical, automotive and materials engineering at the University of Windsor says, “You can always find a negative argument” for any technological development.

“The bottom line is, we have to develop something that people want, that people like, in a cost-competitive manner and in a way that it adds value and you always have to be on top of the latest and greatest technologies,” she said.

3D printing may still be in its infancy, yet many have high hopes for what the technology has to offer. Despite the fact that a typical 3D printer in Toronto has a somewhat limited capacity, this technology can nonetheless revolutionize how such diverse products as toys, jewels and architectural models are designed and produced. A 3D printing specialist like Objex Unlimited enables Canadian manufacturers to quickly bring their products from the drawing board to the factory assembly line.

Designers also have much to gain from 3D printing technology, as they can swiftly translate their ideas into tangible models. A 3D printer can take designs from 3D computer-generated models and then “print” the items by adding layer upon layer of plastic. This is an excellent way for companies to make rapid prototypes of their new products.

Although 3D printing is a great boon for companies in fields like medical modeling, architecture, archaeology, and jewelry design, 3D printers in Toronto nonetheless require a considerable investment. Rather than obtain such a sophisticated device, businesses can instead outsource their rapid prototyping needs to a reputable 3D printing provider such as Objex Unlimited for fast and affordable delivery of accurate scale models and prototypes.

(Article Excerpt and Image from 3D printing to alter manufacturing sector, engineers say, CBC News, November 7, 2013)