It all started back in the mid-’80s with a scattered handful of early adopters. But by the turn of the millennium, Additive Manufacturing had evolved from a niche dark-art to a mainstream solution for forward-thinking manufacturers in every sector. Today, the sheer flexibility of industrial 3D printing is underlined by its adoption across the board – from aerospace and automotive to medical and defence. In this blog, we take a closer look at five of the industries we’ve helped at 3D Print Bureau, and the kaleidoscope of potential applications. 

3D Printing in the Aerospace Industry 

Back in the late-’80s, the thought-leaders of the aerospace industry were among the first to spot the possibilities of AM – and that relationship has only strengthened over the decades (in 2015, the sector represented a huge 16% of AM’s $4.9-billion worldwide revenue).   

AM technology has unlocked countless benefits, including rapid-fire design, slashed time-to-market and reduced environmental fallout. But the keyword in this sector is ‘performance’. Research suggests that a single AM-generated part can reduce air drag by 2.1% and fuel costs by 5.41% compared to its traditionally manufactured counterpart. Consider the cumulative effect across an aircraft and it’s no wonder that in 2025 you’ll see 3D printing employed for everything from turbine blades to fuel nozzles. 

3D Printing in the Automotive Industry 

A modern motor vehicle is one of the most complex manufacturing ecosystems out there, with every element of a pro-level race car or consumer vehicle tuned to the nth degree for performance and safety. Factor in sustainability and profit,  and it’s no surprise the automotive sector has embraced the myriad benefits of 3D printing (the market size is predicted to be valued at $11 billion by 2030).  

You’ll find industrial 3D printing employed across the entire workflow of an automotive manufacturer – but design and prototyping is perhaps the most critical area where AM technology is making its mark. By allowing designers to pursue ambitious concepts and intricate geometries, while playing with multiple CAD iterations with no upfront investment, 3D printing has made the sector bolder and more agile. From fuel caps to engine covers – even state-of-the-art F1 parts and discontinued historic components – AM-produced products are setting the pace in the fastest industry on earth. 

3D Printing in the Medical Industry 

The future of healthcare is individual-led – and that happens to be where Additive Manufacturing excels. Since 3D printing was adopted by the medical sector, it has allowed a previously unimaginable level of made-to-measure care, with doctors/surgeons now able personalise procedures with patient-specific models, prep for operations by generating unique tissue types and sharpen training simulations with anatomical models that exactly replicate the patient. 

Alongside that, the world’s leading dental clinics have been able to transform patient care with AM. Using Stratasys 3D printers like the J3 and J5 DentaJet to generate one-off treatments and ultra-precise modelling, it’s possible to create everything from prosthetics and orthodontic devices to surgical guides. 

3D Printing in the Defence Industry 

With military componentry subjected to huge stress and relied upon in life-or-death situations, there is simply no margin for error. For several years now, the sector’s decision-makers have been wise to the value of 3D printing, with the US Department of Defense’s Additive Manufacturing Strategy of 2021 noting that this technology should be used to “modernise national defence systems” and “increase material readiness”. 

In practice, you’ll now find AM employed throughout the modern global military, with end-use products spanning from made-to-measure armour to 3D printed shelters. Meanwhile, one of the key advantages of AM is the ability to rapidly produce spare parts, even in extreme environments such as the front-line of a conflict zone – so allowing troops in the field to become more self-sufficient.   

Whatever industry you’re in, speak to the experts at 3D Print Bureau 

Whether you’re well-versed in AM or taking your first steps into this dynamic sector, partner with 3D Print Bureau to guarantee the best results for your next 3D printing run. With our state-of-the-art facilities and comprehensive range of 3D printing services, we’re ready to take on your project.   

From aerospace to automotive, our experts have helped clients in every sector meet their 3D printing goals. Contact us on 01782 757320 or complete our contact form