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- [Narrator] Since the industrial revolution,
advances in production processes
shifted small-scale craft production
to standardized mass manufacturing.
Today, a larger variety of products are available
to a wider global audience than ever before.
However, mass manufacturing
came at the cost of limited production customization
and production flexibility.
So how can manufacturers produce large quantities
of customized products?
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In this video, we'll cover the fundamentals
of mass customization, how it can be achieved quickly
and cost effectively with 3D printing
and show real life use cases
of 3D printing for mass customization.
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What is mass customization?
Most manufacturing methods, such as molding or forming,
are geared toward producing large quantities
of identical goods.
In other words, mass production.
While these techniques are cost efficient at high volumes,
they require standardization, expensive machinery,
and tooling that rarely allow for product modifications.
Custom manufacturing, on the other hand,
traditionally comes with high costs and manual labor.
Which makes creating large quantities
of customized parts not economically feasible.
Mass customization is about scaling custom manufacturing
to make the holy grail of producing customized products
in large volumes a reality and enabling manufacturers
to unlock product differentiation at higher added value.
New advanced manufacturing processes
like 3D printing now enable manufacturers
to produce consumer products, wearables, prosthetics,
audiology devices, dental appliances and more,
all tailored to the needs of the final consumer.
3D printing for mass customization.
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In-house 3D printing increases design freedom
and eliminates expensive tooling.
Bringing flexibility, agility,
and scalability in manufacturing.
Stereolithography or SLA 3D printers are ideal
for highly detailed parts with a smooth surface finish
and offer a wide variety of materials
for different applications,
from biocompatible materials to tough, durable,
and long-lasting plastics.
Selective laser sintering or SLS 3D printers
are best suited for complex geometries
and durable parts with high environmental stability
and offer a production-ready workflow
that optimizes cost per part.
Here's an example of a mass customization workflow
with a Formlabs SLA or SLS 3D printer.
First, design the part in CAD
or create a model based on a 3D scan of an existing model,
an MRI scan or an intraoral scan.
Then, choose the right 3D printer and material
that meet your requirements.
Open your models in Formlabs'
print preparation software, PreForm.
Batch multiple parts in a single job and start printing.
Clean your printed part
using Formlabs' post-processing tools.
Depending on the application,
you can use additional post-processing steps
like painting, coating, or polishing.
Use your finished 3D printed part
as a component or sub-assembly in manufacturing
or as an individual product just as you'd use a part
produced with traditional tools.
A common strategy is to combine a 3D printed part
with off-the-shelf components to offer customization
while keeping costs at bay.
Integrating 3D printing into manufacturing workflows
with automation solutions
such as Formlabs Automation Ecosystem
can help companies scale production
and reduce cost per part further
to make mass customization a viable business model
for a wider range of applications.
Let's see some examples of how businesses
around the globe have been using Formlabs 3D printers
for mass customization.
Hasbro's Selfie Series is a groundbreaking endeavor
that uses Formlabs' 3D printers
to manufacture customized action figures at scale.
For the first time, fans are able to scan their faces
with a smart device and have a custom-made,
look-alike superhero action figure delivered to their door.
The high quality surface finish
of Formlabs SLA 3D printed parts
empowers realistic facial features
while the combination of the off-the-shelf
action figure body and 3D printed parts
keeps the end product affordable.
Due to the increasing demand for direct-to-consumer products
and the advancements in 3D printing technology,
Gillette moved on from exclusively using 3D printers
for prototyping to mass producing end-use custom parts.
Gillette's Razor Maker produced direct-to-consumer,
end-use 3D printed parts using Formlabs SLA 3D printers
as its production engine to unlock design freedom
by offering razors with customizable handles to customers.
As each patient is unique,
the medical and dental industries are the leaders
in adapting mass customization and 3D printing.
Prosthetics manufacturer, Psyonic,
uses Formlabs SLA 3D printers
for not only prototyping and molding
but also to create customized components
for their sensing bionic hands,
which is one of the main reasons
they can offer custom designs
that are still accessible to patients.
With the combination of intraoral scanning,
digital design software, 3D printers,
and biocompatible materials,
dentists and orthodontists can offer custom clear aligners,
splints, dentures, and even permanent crown
and bridge restorations delivered in under 24 hours.
Having the full control
over the treatment as well as reduced costs.
Clear aligners thermoformed over 3D printed models
are one of the most common applications
of 3D printing and mass customization.
German premium clear aligner manufacturer Modern Clear
has treated over 150,000 patients and produced
over 3 million clear aligners with the help of 3D printing.
New applications like these appear every day as 3D printing
and digital technologies bring mass customization
within reach for more businesses.
Can you think of examples
of how mass customization could modernize, diversify,
or expand your company's product portfolio?
Stay ahead of the competition and get closer
to your customer's needs by unlocking mass customization
with in-house 3D printing, powered by Formlabs.
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