Food & Beverage: How to Succeed in the «New Normal» with Additive Manufacturing

The concept of the «new normal» remains somewhat elusive when it comes to its implications for the global economy. What’s certain, however, is that food and beverage manufacturers are navigating an increasingly complex set of challenges. From the unpredictability of consumer behavior to surging costs, fluctuating market dynamics, and ongoing supply chain disruptions, businesses large and small are under immense pressure. Even the most accomplished companies may find themselves grappling with these multifaceted hurdles. Whether you’re a small-scale supplier striving to bring down production costs or a large manufacturer seeking enhanced efficiency across global operations, there’s one technology poised to revolutionize the industry: 3D printing, also known as additive manufacturing. Far from being a mere accessory, this innovation has the potential to redefine entire processes, offering solutions that go beyond just coping—it’s a game changer that empowers businesses to thrive in uncertain times.

What difference can 3D printing (additive manufacturing) make?

Even before the COVID-19 pandemic, many leading food and beverage companies invested in additive technology to optimize their production.

Here is a small summary of the advantages found by our customers:

• • Safer working environments. Various security items such as lock-out-tag-out (OTO) and key systems have been 3D printed for years. But now screen stands, plastic masks and door openers can be 3D printed to quickly adapt workplaces to a post-coronavirus world.

• • Reduce time and costs. The traditional process of obtaining a spare part can take a lot of time and material resources. With 3D printing you can produce many products or parts for your home, at a lower cost.

• • Increases line uptime. Minimize downtime, speed up changeover processes and avoid unplanned business interruptions by having your on-demand production line close to your packaging line.

• • Better storage. Inventory takes up space and needs to be tracked. So instead of carefully managing inventory, you can 3D print parts on demand, whenever they are needed.

Shorter time to market. 3D printing allows you to modify a product almost immediately, so your product range can keep up with ever-changing demand or test new products directly on the line using the final materials.

How to get started?

Look around a typical factory and you will notice that there are many parts and tools that could be fully or partially 3D printed to achieve the benefits mentioned above.

Some of the most useful for food and beverage manufacturers include:

• • Maintenance tools

• • Safety devices

• • (DIS) assembly tools

• • Ergonomic tools

• • Quality assurance tools

• • Spacing and alignment tools

• • Organizers and tool holders

Want to see some of them in action? Read customer success stories to see how FORD manufacturers are already using 3D printing.

Change the game with our free ebook

Our free eBook on 3D printing for food and beverage factories will help you unlock these applications and meet the challenges of an uncertain future. Written by Ultimaker application engineers who have worked with some of the leading food and drink brands, the e-book reveals:

• • The two simple criteria our application engineers use to identify and prioritize the 3D printing applications that will get the fastest return on investment

• • How can 3D printers replace (and how are they superior to) metal parts?

• • The top five questions to ask when identifying new 3D printing opportunities

• • A comprehensive checklist of categories to ensure no potential 3D printing application remains hidden and more.