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Additive Manufacturing for Engineering
The Art of control
Additive Manufacturing provides significant benefits to the engineering process over more traditional processes. It allows engineers to minimise prototype development time from months to days to the creation of complex internal structures and geometries to end use parts. Additive manufacturing allows problems to be addressed, solutions to be created and ensures projects are finished on deadline, within budget and produces the desired results.
Benefits of 3D Printing for Engineering
3D printing empowers engineers to design, test and manufacture parts faster, smarter and more cost-effectively. From early-stage concepts to functional end-use components, additive manufacturing enables greater flexibility, innovation and efficiency across the entire engineering workflow.
- Rapid Prototyping & Faster Development - Engineers can move from CAD to physical parts in days rather than weeks, allowing designs to be validated, refined and approved at speed. This dramatically shortens development cycles and helps identify issues early, reducing costly redesigns later. Sample prints: functional prototypes, enclosures, brackets, gears, housings, snap-fit assemblies
- Design Freedom & Complex Geometry - Additive manufacturing removes many of the constraints of traditional manufacturing. Engineers can create complex internal channels, organic shapes, lattice structures and consolidated parts that would be impossible or expensive to machine. Sample prints: lattice-optimised components, internal ducting, topology-optimised brackets, lightweight structural parts
- Functional Testing & Performance Validation - 3D printed parts can be produced in engineering-grade materials to test fit, form and function under real-world conditions. This allows confident decision-making before committing to tooling or full production. Sample prints: moving assemblies, load-bearing test components, mechanical linkages, airflow or fluid test parts
- Custom Jigs, Fixtures & Tooling - Engineers can rapidly produce bespoke tooling to support production, assembly and inspection. Custom jigs and fixtures reduce downtime, improve accuracy and lower manufacturing costs. Sample prints: assembly jigs, drill guides, alignment tools, gauges, clamps, ergonomic tooling
- Cost-Effective Low-Volume & On-Demand Production - 3D printing eliminates the need for tooling, making it ideal for low-volume production, custom components and spare parts. Parts can be produced on demand, reducing inventory, storage costs and lead times. Sample prints: replacement parts, machine brackets, mounts, adaptors, bespoke components.
- Light weighting & Material Efficiency - Additive manufacturing uses material only where needed, reducing waste while optimising strength-to-weight ratios. This is particularly valuable in aerospace, automotive and performance-driven engineering applications. Sample prints: lightweight brackets, structural supports, reinforced housings, lattice cores
- Improved Collaboration & Communication - Physical parts improve understanding across teams, helping engineers, stakeholders and customers visualise designs more clearly than CAD alone. This leads to faster approvals and better collaboration. Sample prints: concept models, scaled assemblies, design review parts, educational demonstrators
- Sustainable Engineering Solutions - With reduced material waste, localised production and the ability to print only what is required, 3D printing supports more sustainable engineering practices. Sample prints: optimised components, consolidated assemblies replacing multi-part systems
Engineering Capabilities
Functional Engineering Parts
- Jigs, fixtures, and assembly tools for production support, such as custom clamps, guides, or torque tools for workshop use
- End-use components like brackets, housings, couplings, or mounts ready for deployment in machinery or equipment
Prototypes & Test Components
- Rapid prototypes of mechanical parts (gears, linkages, enclosures) for performance testing before committing to metal machining.
- Interlocking or moving assemblies printed in one piece (e.g., hinge systems, snap-fit prototypes) demonstrating the precision and complexity achievable
Lightweight & Optimised Structures
- Lattice-structured parts for light weighting — especially valuable in aerospace or automotive engineering where weight reduction directly improves performance
- Topology-optimised components designed to balance strength with minimal material
Educational & Analytical Models
- Stress/strain demonstrators, gear trains, or mechanical interaction models used in engineering education or design reviews
