At the RAPID + TCT event, Garrett Hawkins from Velo3D analyzed the main challenge of 3D printing in sectors like aerospace: scaling from the prototyping phase to serial manufacturing. His presentation highlighted that the technology has surpassed the demonstration stage, but its real integration into mass production lines requires systematically addressing quality, the supply chain, and costs.
Engineering and Certification for Industrial Repeatability ⚙️
Hawkins pointed out that the key is not printing a complex part once, but producing thousands with identical and certified mechanical properties. This demands comprehensive process control: from machine calibration and metal powder quality, to real-time monitoring and traceability of each component. Integration with traditional manufacturing systems is another critical point for adoption.
When Your Perfect Prototype Collides with the Reality of Producing 10,000 😅
It's the classic drama: you spend months designing a 3D printed part that seems like a work of divine engineering. The moment of truth arrives and they ask not for one, but for ten thousand. Suddenly, that artisanal process where each layer was pampered becomes a logistical problem. Now it's time to think about powder containers, machine maintenance, and spreadsheets, not just layer resolution. The transition from how beautiful to at what cost per unit is usually a rude awakening.