5 key advantages of 3D printing for rapid prototyping

You’ll find them in your bathroom, closet, refrigerator … just about anywhere and everywhere. CPG (consumer packaged goods) are omnipresent, and we couldn't live without them – from kitchen faucets and personal care products to footwear, beverages, salty snacks, and everything in between.

The CPG industry is one of the largest sectors in North America, fueled by giants such as Procter & Gamble, Nestle, and The Coca-Cola Company.

CPGs use 3D printing for rapid prototyping, which can transform a concept into a concrete product people use daily and allow manufacturers to bring these products to market quickly and efficiently. This article dives into the world of 3D printing within manufacturing, the benefits, and how a 3D printing partner can help.

What is rapid prototyping?

For those unfamiliar with the process, rapid prototyping is a function of 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing (AM). It plays a critical part in the production and distribution of CPGs. And, while the word “CPG” might refer to a variety of household products, the most crucial component of the manufacturing process that brings them to life — rapid prototyping — is very much the same, regardless of product type.

Manufacturers in this tremendously competitive sector need every advantage available to them. 3D printing — rapid prototyping in particular — allows for more competitive pricing, accelerated development cycles, greater flexibility in design and customization, and simplifies the supply chain by eliminating multi-level production planning. According to research, 68% of manufacturers utilizing 3D printing are using it for prototyping.²

Granted, the materials used in the process vary from polymers and composites to industrial metals. Choosing the right mix of technologies and materials to support specific rapid prototyping needs can be both a bit of an art and a science. It's critical to monitor the budget while also ensuring their form, fit, or finish requirements are being met.

Traditional PLA filament is often used to run off a quick sample, and more technically savvy programs make use of full-color photopolymer jetting, high-resolution liquid resin capabilities and sintered nylons for functional prototypes. While the requirements vary and the production process/post-processing burden can grow to be highly complex, the rapid prototyping process has many similarities, whether prototyping an engine part or an eyeliner brush.

Just how ubiquitous is 3D printing in manufacturing? According to one study, the global market for 3D printing should grow from $19.5 billion in 2021 to $56.1 billion by 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 23.5% for 2021-2026.³