“ 3D printers are now capable of creating large parts for prototyping and validating new designs in the heavy equipment industry.”
“ 3D printers are now capable of creating large parts for prototyping and validating new designs in the heavy equipment industry.”
place in the manufacturing of parts for heavy machinery.
3D printers are now capable of creating large parts for prototyping and validating new designs in the heavy equipment industry. Instead of being limited to fused deposition modeling( the only material used in the early days of this technology), these machines can now print with a number of media including various types of plastics, resins and even metals. Some examples of parts that are now being produced for heavy equipment are light and mirror housings, grab handles, joysticks, air vent grills, fenders and door hinges.
Closely related is digitaltwin technology that creates a virtual replica of a piece of machinery, enabling manufacturers to simulate and test performance, identify potential issues and optimize efficiency before the physical production begins. Other technologies that are making inroads into the design, manufacture and end-use of heavy machinery are AI, robotics, virtual and augmented reality, the IoT and cloud computing. With the fervent drive toward sustainability, newer and more sophisticated technologies will continue to emerge as we move into the future.
No longer the stuff of daydreams, operating a fleet of battery-powered, self-driving dozers, excavators or dump trucks is a reality just around the corner. These technologies will help to ensure that we will be able to continue the production of what we need right now in order to survive and thrive, and to make that possible for the generations to come.
14 • 800-247-2000 • March 2025