B5). We won’t be able to make ocean liners, but we’ll be
able to make the fittings. For this stage to be reached,
though, the purchase price of 3-D printers will have to
lower significantly . That might be just around the
bend: in addition to the CupCake unit mentioned
earlier , MakerBot Industries sells a hobbyist 3-D print-
ing kit called the Thing-O-Matic for $1,299. 3. 3-D applications
Whether or not a specific 3-D application is technical-
ly possible or economically feasible largely depends
on its production volume, part size, complexity , and
material cost. 3-D printing is most widely used
in applications with low production volumes, small
part sizes, and having complex designs. According to
one source, 3-D printing is cost effective with plastic
injection molding on production runs of 50 to 5,000
units (Sedacca, 2011). Another source states that 3-D
printing is competitive with plastic injection molding
of runs around 1,000 items (‘‘ Pr in t Me,’ ’ 2011). In the
future, some experts feel that the range of efficient
production may be further increased as raw material
costs drop in price; this would occur as more firms
use 3-D printing to produce finished goods and as final
consumers begin to purchase 3-D printers. 3-D
printing is also especially suitable for manufacturing
parts that are small in size, such as ball bearings. Advances in 3-D printing have enabled this tech-
nology to be employed across a broader range of
applications. Earlier versions of 3-D printers could
only utilize laser-hardened acrylics. Unfortunately ,
these parts produced were often fragile and re-
quired post-manufacturing treatment. Currently , a
wider range of materials can be used including alu-
minum; super alloys, such as nickel-based chromium
and cobalt chrominium; stainless steel; titanium;
polymers; and ceramics. 3.1. Small production run applications of
3-D printing
This sub-section explores current 3-D applications
based on the size of the production run. Small
production run applications of 3-D printing include
3-D printing: The new industrial revolution 159