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future of additive manufacturing

What is the Future of Additive Manufacturing?

By Smart Factory Team | October 8, 2021

Companies unfamiliar with additive manufacturing and 3D printing processes may not know 3D printing is transforming manufacturing across multiple industries. Understanding the future of additive manufacturing will enable companies to stay competitive and even future-proof their businesses.

3D printing occlusal splint

Four Benefits of 3D Printing Occlusal Splints

By Dental Team | October 1, 2021

Many jaw alignment disorders involve treatment with occlusal splints, a product customized to fit a patient’s mouth and bite pattern. These customized orthodontic devices guide the jaw into proper alignment…

Additive manufacturing vs traditional manufacturing

Additive Manufacturing vs. Traditional Manufacturing: High-Volume Production

By Smart Factory Team | September 29, 2021

When examining differences between additive manufacturing vs. traditional manufacturing, companies need to evaluate current technologies as rapid innovation in 3D printing is enabling companies to produce finished products with very little post-processing.

3D Printed dental crowns

CNC Milling vs. 3D Printing Dental Crowns and Bridges

By Dental Team | September 23, 2021

3D printing is increasingly a more efficient method for producing dental parts such as aligners and retainers. Advanced 3D printing technology allows it to compete with traditional processes, such as CNC milling and sintering, to produce dental crowns and bridges.

Hybrid Additive Manufacturing

Hybrid Additive Manufacturing Approaches

By Materials Team | September 21, 2021

Hybrid additive manufacturing combines additive and subtractive manufacturing to produce a finished product. Additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, builds structures by adding material in layers. Conversely, subtractive manufacturing, such as…

Evaluating Scalable 3D Dental Printing Solutions for Dental Practices

By Dental Team | September 10, 2021

If you need to produce high-volume quantities of simple and very inexpensive products, then 3D printing processes may not provide significant advantages. However, there are many applications of 3D printing where it solves many production pain points felt by manufacturers. Here’s what you need to know about high-volume additive manufacturing and applications where 3D printing can provide the most value.

Four Applications of High-Volume Additive Manufacturing

By Smart Factory Team | August 27, 2021

If you need to produce high-volume quantities of simple and very inexpensive products, then 3D printing processes may not provide significant advantages. However, there are many applications of 3D printing where it solves many production pain points felt by manufacturers. Here’s what you need to know about high-volume additive manufacturing and applications where 3D printing can provide the most value.

Limitations of Injection molding equipment

Overcoming the Limitations of Injection Molding with 3D Printing

By Smart Factory Team | August 12, 2021

Innovations in 3D printing make it the ideal alternative to injection molding for low-volume, high-mix production and for products that are difficult or impossible to produce with injection molding. Here’s how to take advantage of 3D printing and overcome the limitations of injection molding.

3D-printed indirect bonding tray

Three Benefits of 3D-Printed Indirect Bonding Trays

By Dental Team | August 10, 2021

Dental procedures involve precise manual processes, both when working in a patient’s mouth and fabricating dental appliances. Products like clear aligners and night guards require manual fabrication and finishing steps…

Custom 3D-printed dental retainer

Manufacturing High-Quality 3D-Printed Dental Retainers

By Dental Team | August 4, 2021

Streamlining digital dentistry is a faster and more cost-effective way to produce dental retainers. Traditional processes require potentially multiple visits to the dentist or orthodontist’s office for impressions and molding, along with several weeks of waiting for a dental lab to produce and ship the appliance. Advancements in 3D printing are significantly reducing dental retainer production time and costs and improving quality and accuracy.