Creating a common language in 3D printing

Additive manufacturing Creating a common language in 3D printing

2024-12-04 From Juliana Pfeiffer | Translated by AI 3 min Reading Time

Under the name Leading Minds, a consortium of leading 3D printing companies was formed at Formnext 2024. The goal is, among other things, to integrate and scale 3D printing solutions more effectively in manufacturing companies. The first initiative is to create a common language framework for 3D printing.

According to a survey, companies recognize 3D printing as an important trend in manufacturing, but almost all companies (98%) face challenges and obstacles when adopting 3D printing, such as lack of expertise, perceived high costs, and sometimes complex integration into existing processes.(Image: Materialise) — According to a survey, companies recognize 3D printing as an important trend in manufacturing, but almost all companies (98%) face challenges and obstacles when adopting 3D printing, such as lack of expertise, perceived high costs, and sometimes complex integration into existing processes.
(Image: Materialise)

At Formnext 2024, a new consortium of leading 3D printing companies was announced to address the most pressing challenges manufacturers face when introducing and scaling 3D printing technologies for industrial use. This consortium, consisting of leading 3D printing companies Ansys, EOS, HP, Materialise, Nikon SLM, Renishaw, Stratasys, and Trumpf, aims to change this in the future.

According to the consortium, "3D printing has proven itself in various sectors by transforming product design and offering highly customized solutions. Today, 3D printing is evolving from a niche innovation to mass production. To achieve this, the industry must overcome skepticism and deliver concrete, scalable solutions that establish 3D printing as a cornerstone of modern industrial production."

The shift from why? to how?

Despite the promising possibilities, many manufacturing companies still encounter obstacles when adopting 3D printing. According to a survey conducted in 2023 by B2B International among 327 manufacturers in the USA, Germany, and Japan, companies recognize 3D printing as an important trend in manufacturing, but almost all companies (98%) face challenges and obstacles in adopting 3D printing, such as lack of expertise, perceived high costs, and sometimes complex integration into existing processes. Overcoming these hurdles requires more than just individual efforts; it requires industry-wide collaboration to make the technology accessible to a broader range of manufacturers.

As the discussion shifts from "Why should we adopt 3D printing?" to "How can we integrate it effectively?", manufacturers are looking for concrete strategies to overcome these obstacles. The Leading Minds consortium was founded as a direct response to these challenges.

The consortium aims to address the pressing challenges manufacturers face today, including increasing production efficiency, reducing waste, and enabling faster, more responsive supply chains.

The founding members of the consortium—Ansys, EOS, HP, Materialise, Nikon SLM, Renishaw, Stratasys, and Trumpf—share a common belief in the power of 3D printing. Each member has pushed the boundaries of what is possible with 3D printing, and now they aim to ensure that 3D printing is more accessible and scalable across various industries through their collaboration. The consortium is open to additional companies joining.

The consortium stated: "The Leading Minds are committed to reshaping the future of manufacturing through the transformative power of 3D printing. The consortium aims to address the urgent challenges manufacturers face today, including increasing production efficiency, reducing waste, and enabling faster, more responsive supply chains. Through these efforts, the consortium will contribute to creating a more adaptable, sustainable, and versatile manufacturing ecosystem."

The objective: Promote collaboration for industry-wide solutions

The main goal of the Leading Minds consortium is to raise awareness of the possibilities of 3D printing across more industries and to eliminate the obstacles manufacturers face. This joint effort is not only about improving 3D printing but also about taking practical, actionable steps to reshape the manufacturing landscape to be more innovative and sustainable, meeting the evolving demands of modern manufacturing.

Next steps: a common language for 3D printing

Currently, many companies and technologies use different terminologies for similar concepts, which hinders effective collaboration and limits the full potential of 3D printing in industrial production. To resolve this "modern Tower of Babel" scenario, the consortium intends to develop a common language framework that enables better communication, allowing manufacturers and technology providers to collaborate more effectively.

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