Value of 3D printing.
Some of the world's best inventions or ideas were initially sketched out as the idea occurred to the person, or persons, involved in the design process. For example, it is rumored that famous Hollywood star Hedy Lamarr played a role in the discovery of "frequency hopping" during a lunchtime conversation with her spouse!
Clearly, there are many ideas and concepts in the world and when they can be portrayed in a way far more flattering than a sketch or verbal description, it is likely that they will actually come into existence.
Things get even more interesting when a great idea is being used to obtain a patent. There are all kinds of patent offices around the world, and this means that a good idea has to be as clearly defined and illustrated as possible if copyright or patent infringement is to be avoided. This is why the availability of 3D printing is so valuable.
The Definition of 3D Printing:
Let's use a basic example - a design company has come up with a very innovative box or package. They use their advanced CAD software or some manual drawings done by their engineers in order to apply for a patent. Wouldn't it be even better if they could use 3D printing services to hold a physical model or prototype of the design? This is exactly what engineering firms with 3D printing capabilities can offer.
Of course, the use of 3D printing doesn't come as a benefit only to those filing a patent application. Consider that the development process could be made so much easier and trouble-free if different models, parts, and components could be created via three-dimensional printing and prototype creation.
For example, let's say that you have very specific needs for a new component for a pre-existing product. Your engineers can make drawings and guarantee results, but wouldn't it be even better to have the actual parts in your hand before you order thousands of them to be manufactured at the nearest injection molding company?
Many companies that manufacture delicate items also have a difficult time with packaging materials. The use of 3D printing would allow them to design and receive a workable model of the packaging that they hope to use. This would give them a "real world" view of how the packaging would function and even allow them to do stress testing, and more.
How it Works:
Anyone interested in some three dimensional printing need only find an engineering firm offering this sort of work. Often this is partnered with patent development services or product innovation programs.
The client is usually going to be able to submit informal sketches or photographic files and request the creation of the three-dimensional model. This will then be converted into an animated image as well as being "printed" in the three dimensional format. Some firms can use ABS and other plastics as well as paper based materials to create the pieces, designs, and products that their clients need to test or submit for patenting.