3D printing or additive manufacturing is a manufacturing process where three-dimensional objects are created using a 3D printer by sequentially layering materials such as glass, metal powder and ceramics, in line with the object’s designed 3D digital model.
3D printing has taken up center stage in innovating within various industries including robotics, manufacturing and automotive industries, with many others looking into its vast possibilities. The mining industry has been gradual on its implementation of 3D printing as it’s still an emerging technology in the mining sector.
How can 3D printing improve the mining industry?
Generation of precise 3D topography maps
For mining companies to start excavating sites, they use 2-dimensional topography maps that convey the height measurements of particular regions using colored indicators. This enables the miners to access the minerals effectively and safely, which is good. However, 3D printing generates 3D topography maps that accurately show the exact height altitudes of the geographical region in question. These maps can be used in planning mining operations as well as in obtaining investments, as they accurately present a visual aid of how investor money will be used during excavation and how or where.
Manufacturing parts on site
Mining operations often take place in difficult terrain, where basic structures and facilities are often built for the lone objective of helping in mining projects. Therefore, a lot of effort, money and time is used to bring in big pieces of equipment and machinery needed for mining. With 3D printing, parts needed can be manufactured on site, which eliminates the need to build infrastructure, thus lessening transportation costs. Manufacturing on site is also more affordable, with minimal set up times and minimal waste, reducing other overhead costs that would’ve been incurred.
Time management is efficient
As in every other industry, machinery breaks down from time to time. This may delay operations for days to months as operations wait for the arrival of the new parts. Project completion time is therefore delayed and unintended costs such as paying staff may be incurred during this period as well as reducing profitability as staff and buildings may be paid for during the waiting period. Ergo, reduced profitability. Having a 3D printer in-house eliminates this threat to mining operations as the required parts can be printed on demand.
This also eliminates the need for large premises to store inventory. This in turn reduces operation overheads, thus doing away with the need for spare parts being obtained as back up in case some parts fail, break or get lost. In consequence, this reduces overhead costs even further, making the mining operation more profitable.
It is evident from the above that 3D printing will increase efficiency and profitability of corporations in the mining industry like Bullfrog Gold Corp. (CSE: BFG) (OTCQB: BFGC) (FSE: 11B). Offering more for less, 3D is the way to go for firms that want to maximize their profits, reduce their emissions, overheads and streamline their operations.
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