3D Printing the Future of the Pumps Industry – What’s Ahead? An Analysis & Prediction

3D printing is a revolutionary technology that transforms the manufacturing sector and offers countless opportunities for all businesses and industries. Thanks to the availability and affordability of 3D printers, a company can rapidly expand its operational capabilities by developing rapid prototypes. Among all the sectors that are benefitting significantly from 3D printers is the water pumps industry. Manufacturing pumps is a costly and time-consuming process. Thanks to 3D printing, pump manufacturers can now develop rapid new prototypes using various materials like stainless steel and poly-lactic acid. Besides accelerating the development of pumps, 3D printing is also helpful in creating various pump components. Using this technology, pump manufacturers can build complex casting for different types of pumps like sewage and water treatment pumps, centrifugal pumps, fluid flow pumps, turbine pumps, and more. Improved fabrication speed and enhanced efficiency make it easy for pump manufacturers to lower their overhead costs and deliver an innovative product to customers. 3D printing is a win-win for both pump manufacturers and customers. Manufacturers can reduce their overhead and develop innovative products that cater to various niches. Customers, on the other hand, receive highly efficient products at competitive prices.

The Technical Details – How does 3D Printing work for the Pumps Industry?

When it comes to 3D printing pump parts and components, the two common approaches are: Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene, shortly known as ABS. It’s a thermoplastic that resembles LEGO blocks. It is mainly used for injection molding. Poly-lactic Acid, shortly known as PLA. It’s a biodegradable thermoplastic that is mainly used in bio-plastics. Pump manufacturers use either ABS or PLA for building prototypes. 3D printed components using ABS are highly flexible and tensile. Parts printed using PLA have the advantage of generating rapid prototypes. Depending on the pump’s usage, components printed using ABS can withstand temperatures up to 221◦F, whereas parts printed using PLA can withstand temperatures up to 140◦F. The first step is to decide which material to use. It largely depends on the pump’s end usage, as both these materials have their pros and cons. When it comes to water pumps, the factors to watch out for include thermal stability, strength, and biodegradability. ABS is more heat-resistant, while PLA is more resistant to warping. So, different pump manufacturers choose one of these materials, depending on the end application.

The Actual Process of 3D Printing Pumps & Parts

One of the most significant advantages of 3D printing for the pumps industry is that it makes it easy to develop flexible and rapid prototypes. It’s a huge advantage, especially when there is a need for pump components with unique and customised designs. Here’s an overview of 3D printing of water pumps and components: The 3D printing process starts by creating the STL files for all the pump or a specific pump component. STL files are usually AutoCAD designs that are used to generate 3-dimensional object geometries. Next, the motor for the pump is chosen. When choosing the motor, manufacturers look for one that will not overheat when coming in contact with water. Once the motor is chosen, the top and base turbines are designed. The turbine design is usually iterative as it needs to be functionally tested throughout the design process. Finally, the assembly – it happens when all the parts have been 3D printed. Another significant advantage of 3D printing pumps is that it allows for ongoing experimentation. Design changes can be incorporated throughout the process without having to redo the prototype from scratch.

Overview of the Benefits of 3D Printing for the Pump Industry

Here’s a quick list of the top benefits of incorporating 3D printing for manufacturers: Reduce errors in design Low development cost Space for experimentation and innovation Overcome the limitations of traditional manufacturing Speed up the development process Develop prototypes and castings rapidly Enhance accuracy and granular details Development of reliable components Reduce the time spent on R&D

Scope for Improvement

3D printing is still at a nascent stage in the pumps industry. Using 3D printing technologies and CAD software, there is a massive potential for the pump industry to revolutionise and enhance the manufacturing process. With lower overhead costs and reduced development times, 3D printing of pump components can fuel innovation. Currently, pump manufacturers rely on bulk manufacturing to reduce costs. With 3D printing, it will become possible to develop complex and specialised products in smaller amounts while decreasing overhead costs and infrastructure investment. Another significant advantage of 3D printing is that it will significantly reduce the space for storage. Pump manufacturers will no longer have to store multiple castings. All design files will be stored electronically. Wrapping Up There’s no doubt that the pump industry is highly evolving. Pump manufacturers across the world are rapidly embracing new technologies to remain competitive. With developing 3D printing technologies, leading pump manufacturers like Sintech are emerging as pioneers in developing new products and designs more efficiently and at a lower cost. 3D printing makes it possible for pump manufacturers to innovate and experiment with intricate designs unavailable on the market. To know more about 3D printing here at Sintech R&D, get in touch with our team at sales@sintechpumps.com.