Start here
The Benefits of Using Industrial 3D Printing for Production
How additive manufacturing is used for end-use parts and low-volume runs, where it helps, and the trade-offs compared with machining, molding and casting.
Plant Equipment
Industrial 3D Printing
How additive manufacturing is used for parts, prototypes and future production.
The Benefits of Using Industrial 3D Printing for Prototyping
Why engineers print prototypes: faster design iteration, early fit checks and lower tooling cost during development, plus the limits of printed models.
The Future of Industrial 3D Printing: Trends and Innovations
A hedged look at where industrial 3D printing may be heading: wider material choices, faster builds, better process monitoring and tighter integration with factories.
Related topics
More in plant equipment
Factory Equipment Core machines and heavy equipment for factories and building sites. Industrial Tools Hand, power and electrical tools for industrial work. Pumps Water and vacuum pumps and how to choose them. Compressed Air Compressors and pneumatic systems explained. Heavy Machinery Earthmoving, road, farm, forestry and mining machines. Material Handling Cranes, forklifts and trucks that move loads. Warehouse and Logistics Racking, movers and tools that keep storage and dispatch running. Gearbox Basics Types, design factors and installation of gearboxes and speed reducers. Gearbox Service Upkeep, failure causes, repair and replacement of gearboxes. Pneumatics and Hydraulics How air and oil powered circuits work and are kept in good shape. Vacuum Systems How industrial vacuum pumps and systems are chosen, used and kept running. Valves Choosing and maintaining the valves that control flow in a plant. Water Pumps Water pumps from design and installation to repair and replacement. Hydraulic Systems Why plants use hydraulic power and where cylinders fit in. Precision Machining Systems CNC machines, lasers, scanners and printers used for precise parts. Bearings and Power Transmission How bearings, seals, couplings, belts and chains carry power through rotating machinery. Piping and Fluid Handling The pipes, fittings, hoses and meters that move liquids and gases around a plant. Storage and Bulk Handling Tanks, silos, hoppers and feeders for liquids and bulk solids. Mixing, Milling and Separation Equipment that grinds, screens, filters and separates process materials. Machine Tools and Forming Equipment Lathes, mills, presses and molding machines that shape parts.