5 Reasons to Use 3D Printing in the Furniture Industry

July 18, 2018

Posted in macstaff

Recent technology has made manufacturing more accessible and affordable than ever before. While there are many advancements, 3D printing is the most noticeable and the most powerful. Furniture designers and manufacturers can both benefit from 3D printing technology. These changes are meaning not only more customization options for consumers but also more design freedom for manufacturers.

As demand for more affordable furniture grows, so does the need to find better solutions to produce quality products quickly. Like all industries, the furniture industry will likely see many changes as the world continues to adapt to new technology. How exactly is 3D printing changing the furniture industry? This guide will share the top 5 reasons for utilizing 3D printing in the world of furniture today.

Reason #1: Increase Customization

Consumers of today want things to be specific. With the rise of social media and other digital platforms, people have access to higher levels of content than ever before. They’re able to research new things and discover new sources of inspiration. That leads to a more significant demand for customizable products.

Being able to design unique furniture for customers leads to higher levels of satisfaction. With 3D printing, it’s easy to add customizable features to your designs. Thanks to rapid printing technology, it’s easy to make these designs quickly when needed to keep customers happy.

Reason #2: Reduce Waste

Much of the furniture produced in big production lines go to waste. Like everything of today, there’s a need to reduce overproduction to avoid wasting both finished products and materials. Thanks to 3D printing, you no longer have to produce large quantities of designs before receiving the demand. Because it’s fast and efficient to create on demand, you can avoid losing time, money, and materials.

Reason #3: Lightweight Materials

3D printing makes it easy to stay up to date with the latest trends. Recently, there has been a push towards lightweight materials in furniture production. Gone are the days of bulky, heavy furniture that is difficult to move. Because people of today are more mobile than ever before and like to move around, lightweight furniture is having a moment in the spotlight.

Thanks to CNC machining with 3D printing, it’s easy to combine materials in a way that produces lightweight furniture that lasts. How can something like a sofa be both light and durable? Because 3D printing can reduce mass, the furniture can maintain its structure while also losing much-needed weight. Learn more here about the power of CNC machining.

Reason #4: Create Prototypes of New Designs

Furniture design involves a lot of trial and error. For new models, it’s best to create prototypes to work out experimental features and flaws before production. With 3D printing, it’s easy to make both full-sized and miniature prototypes. These are useful not only for mass-produced furniture designs but also for creating sample pieces for customers. It’s much easier to market something that people can see for themselves than to market an idea or 2D design.

Interestingly, one of the areas seeing the most growth — thanks to prototype design — is flooring. 3D printing allows consumers to have greater flexibility not only with their flooring but also more potential benefits. 3D printers of today can produce flooring that is fireproof, UV resistant, and durable. By offering prototypes of these new floor designs, customers can see the product in action.

Reason #5: Save Money

3D printing is a win/win situation for both consumers and designers. Not only is it more affordable to create new furniture designs, but it’s more affordable to buy furniture designs. Because 3D printing allows for less waste and more precision, manufacturers can market their products to customers who might not have been able to afford such things in the past.

Now, because of the lower cost of entry, more designers and manufacturers can offer a range of products to consumers. Today, furniture designers can benefit from using 3D printing to creates pieces that are as stylish as they are affordable. Interior design is quickly becoming more accessible to people of all price ranges and styles.

The Future of 3D Printing in Furniture Design

3D printing is snowballing. Every year, the market demand increases for 3D printing, and it’s no wonder it’s becoming another common practice in the furniture industry. There are a lot of benefits to designers utilizing 3D printing for their creations. As an industry, it’s important to focus on a reduction of waste, efficient production, and changing trends.