As the demands of modern consumers continue to change by the day, combined with the ever-increasing costs and instability of the supply chain in general, the beverage industry is also going through a series of changes and developments. Significant products with higher targets for their production volumes and small suppliers that wish to cut down their production costs are all looking for solutions to help them rise above the alarming challenges.
3D printing is now one of the newest technologies beverage companies are starting to include in their production lines and product development departments to reduce costs and optimize processes. Platforms like Cad Crowd can help businesses connect with qualified experts for 3D modeling design services, giving beverage companies the resources they need to create more efficient molds for redesigning bottles and streamlining production. This article explores the key benefits of designing 3D-printed molds for companies to redesign their bottles.
How beverage companies use modern 3D printing
Beverage companies today are using modern 3D printing in several ways, including the following:
Faster development of packaging materials
Packaging in the beverage industry serves as the primary interface between the consumer and the brand. An excellent package design attracts the attention of the consumer and affects their buying decision. Developing the design of packaging, however, often involves multiple iterations, which can be time-consuming and expensive. Beverage brands take advantage of 3D printing to speed up the process of packaging development through faster and cheaper production of different variations of design.
It is all possible thanks to the fact that 3D printing doesn’t need molds and other similar tools for the production process. All it needs is a design file that will be turned over to the 3D printer and then manufactured in just a matter of hours. Unlike the traditional methods available, 3D printing can help in the development of prototypes with the features of the final product in various materials and colors. It allows beverage companies to test the feel and look of the finished product, which further improves the design reviews. By using product design services, beverage companies can refine their packaging prototypes with more precision and speed.
The maker of insulated containers for beverage and food, Thermos, has been taking advantage of 3D printing for their packaging prototypes ever since 2006. The switch to 3D printing cut down the lead time for developing a prototype from five days to just a few hours. According to Thermos, 3D printing helped them optimize the pouring performance and cap stopper of their best-selling Thermos mugs.
3D-printed spare parts for beverage and food factories
Beverage and food companies can improve line uptime with the help of 3D printing for the production of spare parts. This modern technology ensures that specific spare parts will be available faster to help prevent unplanned downtime. Take the beverage filling plants, for instance. These plants thrive more on speed, with their production rates ranging from 40,000 to 80,000 cans or bottles per hour. The profitability of the plant will decrease in a snap if it is shut down.
In worst-case scenarios, identifying the problem, placing a request for a spare part, and its shipment and installation can all take several days. Just a single hour of lost production can easily cost $4,000 to $30,000, depending on the output and size of the whole filling line. 3D printing allows on-demand manufacturing of spare parts to help reduce pricey downtime. In turn, this reduced unplanned downtime can help manufacturers avoid expensive investments in new assets while increasing productivity at the same time. Leveraging mechanical engineering design services helps to ensure that these 3D-printed parts meet the necessary quality standards and fit seamlessly into the production process.
Cheaper ergonomic tools
3D printing also makes it possible to develop tools for beverage and food plants faster compared to their traditional counterparts. Alignment and space tools, quality assurance tools, ergonomic tools, disassembly tools, safety tools, and maintenance tools are some of the suitable tools for 3D printing. Since 3D printing provides design flexibility, the tools can also be designed ergonomically. This offers better ease of use for the workers and improves accuracy while carrying out tasks.
Main benefits of 3D printed molds for bottle redesigns
It’s critical to stay efficient and competitive to achieve success in today’s bottle manufacturing industry. With the continuous advancement of modern technology, 3D-printed molds have now emerged as the newest game-changer for all companies that wish to improve their existing production processes further.
Thanks to its ability to produce three-dimensional objects one layer after another, 3D printing offers a long list of perks for redesigning bottles for companies. The following are some of the primary advantages of designing 3D printed models for companies tasked to redesign bottles:
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Cut down costs
Using 3D-printed models for redesigning bottles can lead to significant cost reduction. Traditional methods of manufacturing usually involve producing specialized tools and molds that tend to be time-consuming and downright expensive. With the existence of 3D printing technology, companies can avoid the need for pricey tooling. 3D printing also allows complex assemblies to be consolidated. This reduces the number of individual parts needed and further cuts down the production costs. By incorporating assembly modeling services, companies can streamline their design process and reduce overall costs.
Improved customization
Customization and personalization are becoming more and more critical in the industry of bottle design and manufacturing. With 3D-printed molds, companies can simply come up with customized bottles to cater to the specific requirements and needs of the customer.
3D-printed molds make way for highly customizable bottle solutions to enhance brand loyalty and customer satisfaction, from adding branding elements to personalized features and unique features.
Flexibility in design
3D printing technology provides unmatched flexibility in design. Manufacturers can come up with complex and intricate bottle redesigns that would have been otherwise difficult or even downright impossible to produce with traditional methods of manufacturing. It opens doors to new possibilities for one-of-a-kind shapes, features, and textures. This allows companies to set themselves apart from their market competition and cater to specific customer demands. By utilizing 3D modeling design services, companies can further enhance the customization and precision of their bottle designs, ensuring they meet both aesthetic and functional requirements.
Better quality of products
3D printing technology makes way for the production of precise and accurate molds to ensure consistent quality of products. It reduces defects and variations in the process of manufacturing by getting rid of human error and helping create precise reproduction of designs. This results in better quality products that reduce the possibility of returns and customer complaints.
Iteration and innovation
3D printing technology has a level of flexibility that allows experimentation and innovation. This helps companies redesign bottles to push the limits of materials and design that makes way to the production of new products. 3D printed molds also allow rapid iteration to make it easier and simpler to refine and test new ideas that will soon lead to continuous innovation and improvement.
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Intellectual property protection
It’s essential in the industry of bottle manufacturing to protect intellectual property. The use of 3D printing molds helps companies maintain better control over their prototypes and designs. It cuts down the possibility of unauthorized replication and intellectual property theft to safeguard valuable innovations and maintain a competitive edge.
Rapid prototyping
The ability to quickly prototype new bottle designs is no doubt one of the key benefits of 3D printed molds for redesigning bottles for companies. Prototyping using conventional methods can be expensive and time-consuming. 3D printing, on the other hand, makes it easier for manufacturers to produce the physical prototypes quickly and directly from the digital designs. It speeds up the process of design iteration to allow companies to assess the function, fit, and form. It also provides for the necessary changes to be made before the actual mass production begins. With CAD design drafting services, companies can ensure precise and efficient translation of their digital designs into physical prototypes, minimizing errors and enhancing the overall design process.
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Faster time-to-market
The time to market is essential for companies that redesign and manufacture bottles. 3D printing molds help companies speed up the development cycles of their products. Design iteration and rapid prototyping allow speedier refinement of the designs of bottles. It leads to faster launches and shorter lead times for new products to help companies stay ahead of their market competition.
Streamlined supply chain
The use of 3D printed molds in redesigning bottles can also help streamline the supply chain. Manufacturers traditionally use external suppliers for components and molds, which can lead to increased costs and further delays. 3D printing also makes it easier for companies to produce prototypes and parts, which can reduce dependencies and minimize lead times. This manufacturing approach that happens just in time can boost the responsiveness as well as the efficiency of the supply chain.
Waste reduction
One of the growing concerns for many businesses all over the world right now is none other than sustainability. 3D printed molds are naturally more sustainable compared to traditional methods of manufacturing. This is a process of additive manufacturing that uses just the correct amount of materials to help reduce waste. 3D printing also makes way for the use of materials that can be recycled. This further reduces the effects of the production processes on the planet as a whole, especially when combined with manufacturing design services that optimize material usage and reduce environmental impact.
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The bottom line
The integration of 3D-printed molds for redesigning bottles for companies can offer a long list of benefits in terms of reduced time to market, customization, design flexibility, cost reduction, and rapid prototyping. 3D printing also improves the quality of products, promotes innovation, protects intellectual property, streamlines the supply chain, and encourages sustainability.
Bottle redesign companies can harness the potential power and effectiveness of 3D printing technology to take their production processes to the next level, drive more innovation, and gain an edge in the highly cutthroat manufacturing industry.
How Cad Crowd can help
Contact CadCrowd today to find the best 3D-printed mold services to help you redesign your bottles and make them stand out in the market. With expert professionals and cutting-edge technology, CadCrowd will bring your unique bottle designs to life with precision and efficiency. Their services are tailored to meet your specific needs, ensuring your project is completed on time and within budget. Visit the website now to get a free quote and take the first step toward transforming your bottle designs with 3D printing.
