FAQ: Why 3D Printing Isn’t Just for Prototypes Anymore

Answers for teams ready to scale from concept to production—with support from RapidMade.com

1. Is 3D printing still mainly used for prototypes?
Not anymore. While prototyping is still a big part of it, 67% of companies now use 3D printing to produce functional, end-use parts.

2. What pushed 3D printing beyond prototyping?
Better materials, faster and more precise printers, smarter software, and growing confidence in the quality of printed parts.

3. What kinds of real products are made with 3D printing?
Aerospace brackets, medical implants, automotive trim, jigs, fixtures, packaging tools, and even short-run production parts.

4. What is “bridge production” in additive manufacturing?
It’s using 3D printing to produce parts while waiting for traditional tooling—like injection molds—to be completed.

5. Is 3D printing useful for manufacturing tools and fixtures?
Absolutely. Many manufacturers print custom jigs, fixtures, and end-of-arm tooling for robotics and assembly.

6. What about replacement parts?
3D printing is perfect for printing discontinued or hard-to-source parts—especially for maintenance and repair.

7. Does this mean I should buy my own printer?
Not necessarily. Printers are just part of the equation. You need materials expertise, design skills, post-processing, and quality control.

8. What’s DfAM and why does it matter?
DfAM stands for Design for Additive Manufacturing. It’s a skillset that optimizes parts for the printing process—minimizing waste, cost, and risk.

9. Is 3D printing good for small-batch production?
Yes. It shines in low- to mid-volume runs where tooling costs would be too high or where quick design changes are needed.

10. Can I get certified materials for regulated industries?
With the right partner—yes. Companies like RapidMade offer certified polymers, metals, and composites for aerospace, medical, and industrial use.

11. Is post-processing a hassle?
It can be. Support removal, finishing, heat treating, and inspection are often needed—and require experience and the right tools.

12. What if I don’t have an AM team in-house?
That’s where external partners come in. RapidMade provides full-service support, from design to certified production.

13. Can 3D printing really match the quality of traditional manufacturing?
For the right parts and volumes—yes. Especially in industries where customization, speed, and part consolidation matter.

14. Does additive manufacturing save time?
A lot. You can print and finish parts in days, rather than waiting weeks or months for tooling.

15. What if I only need a few parts to start?
That’s a perfect use case for AM. You can prototype, iterate, and launch short runs without major upfront investment.

16. Is additive good for customization?
That’s one of its biggest strengths. You can make every part unique without changing the tooling or setup.

17. Do large companies use 3D printing this way?
Yes. The biggest adopters often have dedicated AM teams and dozens—if not hundreds—of printers.

18. Does size of the printer fleet matter?
Not as much as how you use it. Strategy, training, materials, and integration are more important than volume alone.

19. What’s the business case for scaling 3D printing?
Faster product launches, reduced tooling costs, better customization, and leaner inventory.

20. What if I don’t know where to start?
Start with an expert. RapidMade helps companies design, prototype, and scale with certified materials and industrial-grade production.

21. Can RapidMade help me design for additive?
Yes—they offer DfAM guidance to optimize your parts for performance, cost, and speed.

22. What materials do they support?
A wide range—including aerospace-grade metals, medical polymers, and composite blends.

23. Do they offer post-processing too?
They do. From finishing and heat treatment to dimensional inspection and testing.

24. Is RapidMade U.S.-based?
Yes, with ISO 9001-certified operations—meaning fast turnaround, quality control, and easy collaboration.

Are you ready for production grade 3D printing services?

Team up with RapidMade and start building what’s next.
Certified. Scalable. Ready to go.

 Visit rapidmade.com or email [email protected] to get started.