How Robotics and Automation Benefit from 3D Printing

IN THE ever-evolving landscape of production and logistics, robotics and automation play an increasingly vital role, driven by the wave of digitisation. However, as with any technology, there are also hurdles which have to be overcome, especially when it comes to the production of customised and lightweight parts in a cost-efficient manner. This is where 3D printing steps in.

Robotics is one of the industries where the benefits of 3D printing can play a crucial role. And there are many reasons for it. One is the possibility to create custom parts of robotics and automation machinery using 3D printing. Traditional manufacturing methods often fall short when it comes to creating parts, such as grippers, tailored to specific tasks without incurring exorbitant costs due to the creation of specialised tools and molds. Thanks to 3D printing, even small players (SMEs), can use 3D printing to create budget-friendly robot parts, as there is no minimum order quantity, meaning parts can be produced starting from lot-size one.

The Benefits of Additive Manufacturing

3D printing's technical benefit extends to the consolidation of multiple parts into a single, complex structure. This not only reduces overall weight but also minimises assembly challenges and inventory complexity. On the other side, 3D printing allows the separation of a single part into distinct components, simplifying modifications if needed.

Compared to traditional methods, 3D printing offers unparalleled agility in prototyping and design alterations. Engineers and designers can swiftly translate conceptual ideas into tangible prototypes. This means they can test a prototype out almost immediately to see if it's a good fit. And if they want to tweak or change the design, they can easily do that thanks to the flexibility of 3D printing.

3D printing provides a rapid and cost-effective solution for local or even on-site production of spare parts, just on-demand. Instead of waiting for shipments or relying on extensive inventories, robots can be quickly restored to operational status with 3D-printed replacements. This capability significantly minimises downtime, ensuring continuous robot functionality.

Application example: Grippers

Grippers, in particular, are undergoing a revolution thanks to additive manufacturing. It enables the creation of grippers in small volumes that are not only cost-efficient but also remarkably lightweight and optimised. When the need arises to change grippers, 3D printing facilitates a swift process with short development and production times. This capability translates into faster movements, reduced cycle times, and an overall more agile manufacturing process. 

In a recent cooperation with struktur.form.design Engineering GmbH for example, we were able to reduce the weight of a cobot gripper by 78%, part count by 84% and overall production cost savings by 30%, just via redesign and production via additive manufacturing.

Nick Dinges is CTO of Replique

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