Car and aircraft manufacturers have taken the lead in 3D manufacturing, using the technology to transform unibody and fuselage design and production, and powertrain design and production. Boeing is using 3D-printed titanium parts in the construction of its 787 Dreamliner airliner. In 2017, General Electric created a helicopter engine with 16 parts instead of 900–an indication of how big an impact 3D printing could potentially have on supply chains.

General Electric. "An Epiphany Of Disruption: GE Additive Chief Explains How 3D Printing Will Upend Manufacturing." Accessed Aug. 23, 2021.

A reduction in cycle time enables manufacturers to produce more parts in less time at lower oven temperatures, noted Nova Chemicals, while a broader processing window allows them to run different part sizes and thicknesses on the same arm under identical conditions without sacrificing part quality. Processability characteristics support consolidation of traditional 3.5 and 5.0 melt index or 5.0 and 7.0 melt index grades to a single resin, added the Calgary-based chemicals company.

Two new polyethylene (PE) resins from Nova Chemicals Corp. for rotational molding are designed to accelerate production, lower cost, and improve flexibility. The Novapol TRx0338-U and TRx0535-U hexene co-monomer resins reportedly can reduce cycle times by up to 30% and provide a processing window at least 15% broader than traditional hexene roto-molding resins, said Nova Chemicals. The findings are based on extensive internal and customer testing, said the company.

The melt index and density profile of Novapol TRx 0535 resin makes it an ideal candidate for molding playsets. Image courtesy Nova Chemicals.

Since it was introduced, 3D printing technology has already increased manufacturing productivity. In the long-term, it has the potential to massively disrupt both the manufacturing, logistics, and inventory management industries, especially if it can be successfully incorporated into mass production processes.

Adam Hayes, Ph.D., CFA, is a financial writer with 15+ years Wall Street experience as a derivatives trader. Besides his extensive derivative trading expertise, Adam is an expert in economics and behavioral finance. Adam received his master's in economics from The New School for Social Research and his Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in sociology. He is a CFA charterholder as well as holding FINRA Series 7, 55 & 63 licenses. He currently researches and teaches economic sociology and the social studies of finance at the Hebrew University in Jerusalem.

Three-dimensional (3D) printing is an additive manufacturing process that creates a physical object from a digital design. The process works by laying down thin layers of material in the form of liquid or powdered plastic, metal or cement, and then fusing the layers together.

Several companies are using 3D printing technology in many industries. In medical sciences, 3D printing is being used to customize implants. In the future, organs and body parts may be created using 3D printing techniques. In the fashion world, Nike, Adidas, and New Balance are using 3D printing to create their shoes. In the construction industry, companies around the world are making breakthroughs in 3D printing of the materials needed to build homes. Using layers of concrete, homes can be built in 24 hours, which are stronger than regular cinder blocks and cost a fraction of the price.

In the manufacturing of hearing aids, 3D printing is now customary. The use of 3D printing accelerates the process of manufacturing and enables manufacturers to make custom hearing aids. Audiologists can use 3D scanners to create a custom prototype using reference points from the scan. Manufacturers can feed the scan into a 3D printing machine and after fine-tuning the materials and the ear shapes, print the entire hearing aids.

The PE resins from Nova Chemicals reportedly can reduce cycle times by up to 30% and provide a processing window at least 15% broader than traditional hexene roto-molding resins.

With a melt index of 3.5 and a density of 0.938, Novapol TRx0338 resin is suited for molding small tanks, intermediate bulk containers, roll-out waste carts, and material-handling containers for laundry and dry bulk goods. The 5.0 melt index, 0.935 density Novapol TRx 0535 resin is suited for manufacturing toys, recreational vehicle components, kayaks, stand-up paddleboards, and custom parts.

“Converters are always looking to enhance their efficiency,” said Eugene Tabone, Rotational Molding Market Manager. “Our new Novapol TRx0338 and TRx0535 grades will help roto-molders leverage the fast sintering properties of these new resins to improve their molding operations.”

3D printing can create intricate and complex shapes using less material than subtractive manufacturing processes, such as drilling, welding, injection molding, and other processes. Making prototypes faster, easier, and cheaper allows for more innovation, experimentation, and product-based startups.

Norsk Titanium. "Norsk Titanium to Deliver the World’s First FAA-Approved, 3D-Printed, Structural Titanium Components to Boeing." Accessed Aug. 23, 2021.

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Currently, 3D printing speeds are too slow to be used in mass production. However, the technology has been used to reduce the lead time in the development of prototypes of parts and devices, and the tooling needed to make them. This is hugely beneficial to small-scale manufacturers because it reduces their costs and the time to market, that is, the amount of time from a product being conceived until its being available for sale.