The proof is in the printing
Jun 30, 2020
The last few years have seen significant advances when it comes to developing additive-manufactured metal parts capable of meeting the demands of high-pressure, high-stress applications. Although lubricants aren’t necessarily required in the printing process, advanced 3D, also known as additive printers, now have the ability to produce lighter parts using metal alloys. This shift toward using 3D printing for metal fabrication can potentially provide lubricant suppliers with a market where current demand for metalworking fluids (MWFs) is maintained. The quicker companies can turn ideas into parts, the more profitable they will remain.
As more companies incorporate additive-metal printers, it’s inevitable that the the resulting parts will find their way into working machines, increasing the demand for customized lubricants that currently do not exist. This gap ultimately gives MWF suppliers an opportunity to innovate in new application spaces.
To learn more about how 3D printing will likely impact the U.S. lubricants market, read this recent Compoundings article.
Why should you care?
Although this shift in additive manufacturing won’t occur overnight, it’s important that the lubricants market is aware of the potential effects and opportunities with additive printing.
