Flashback to episode 1

We've already learned the basics of a 3D printer: it's a "machine that creates three-dimensional objects by printing materials layer by layer" and "it excels at prototyping and low-volume production."

But many people may still wonder…
“So, in real business, what are the uses of 3D printers?”
“Can our company use this?”

This article will explore in-depth the range of industries 3D printers are being used in, from manufacturing, medicine and dentistry, to hobbies and design, with clear examples. Let's get started!

⚙️ Manufacturing sector

As “speed of development” is key in today’s business world, 3D printers play a key role in speeding up the product development process and can significantly reduce costs.

■ Case 1: Prototype / Mockup

In product development, engineers often have to create iterative prototypes to check whether the design actually works. Previously, this process required turning, CNC milling, or ordering external molds, which took days and were expensive. But everything changed with the advent of 3D printers.

Let's take the case of Ford as the most obvious example.
They use Formlabs printers in the development process of their new car.

Before using a 3D printer: Outsourced, takes 7–10 days, costs around $300 per piece.
After using a 3D printer: Printed in the factory in just 30 hours, the cost was only $50.

An idea that comes to mind in the morning can be picked up and flipped through in the evening.
This level of speed is the “development accelerator” that leading companies around the world highly value.

■ Case 2: Production of tools and equipment (Jigs & Fixtures)

Another area where 3D printers excel is in the creation of “jigs,” or tools that help assemble and inspect parts in the production line.

In the past, making jigs required ordering from outside and taking several weeks to produce the finished product.
But if you use a 3D printer,
A request from the site, such as “I just want to adjust the angle a little bit,” can create a new jig in a few hours or days.

The on-site work is therefore much more flexible.
If you want strength, you can also choose materials like nylon or carbon fiber.

🩺Medical and dental sector

The ultimate task that requires “ personal fit ” is 3D printers that are skilled at one-piece, individualized work, which perfectly meets the needs of the medical and dental industries.

■ Case 3: Organ model for preparation before surgery

In medicine, CT or MRI data from a patient can be used to create a realistic 3D model of an organ. With this model in hand, doctors can see the location of blood vessels, bone shapes, or the complexity of an organ more clearly than with traditional 2D images.

Performing “pre-operative” trials on real models like this increases accuracy, reduces risk, and serves as a tool to better explain treatment procedures to patients.

This also leads to the production of personalized devices, such as prosthetic limbs, that must be precisely tailored to each individual patient's physiology.

■ Case 4: Dentistry, tooth model

In the dental industry, 3D printers have become one of the most widely used tools. Once a scan is completed, the digital data can be used to produce devices immediately, whether it's a dental model for treatment planning, a surgical guide for precise implant placement, or clear aligners like aligners.

One of the most visible examples is "Core Dental Lab Yokohama".
In the past, the work of making “detailed impression trays” required skilled technicians and took a full day.
But after the digital transformation, the entire process has been upgraded to be faster and more efficient than ever.

After using a 3D printer to work on its own at night, technicians have more time to do more complex, higher-value work. The result is both improved employee quality of life and increased productivity.

⚙️Other fields when ideas can become real immediately

■ Case 5: Architectural work

For architecture, 3D printing is a tool that helps reduce the world of construction drawings into a tangible model.

Benefits for Designers - Building models can be printed directly from CAD files, including shapes, floor plan details, and complex elements. This allows architects to test concepts, refine designs, and present their work more clearly and professionally in a shorter time.

Customer Benefits - With a real model in front of you, customers can easily visualize the project, understand the proportions, dimensions and feel of the building before it is actually built.

Architectural models from 3D printers are therefore not just “presentation props”.
But it is a tool that helps to make communication between designers and clients clearer, reduces miscommunication and helps drive decision making much faster than before.

■ Case 6: Hobbies

“Weaving dreams into form” – a little idea that pops into your head—can be transformed into a real piece in just a few hours.

• Some people create their own figures or miniatures of their favorite characters, designing poses, details, or scales that are not available on the market.
• Some people use it to make spare parts for electrical appliances that are no longer available.
• Some people create custom jewelry that is one of a kind.

Conclusion - The time when 3D printers can create the most value

From all the examples, we can see that 3D printers are most useful when…

Like Ford: Expensive and slow external processes are moved in-house.
Like Core Dental Lab: Time-consuming manual work has been replaced by digital and automated systems.

In your own business, there may be tasks that “take longer than they should” or “rely on too many specialized people.” Small tasks accumulate as hidden costs, or steps that unknowingly slow down the entire process.
These are areas where 3D printing can help transform the way we do things, reducing time, increasing agility, and unlocking previously limited potential.

Consider keeping a 3D printer as one of your options. Sometimes, a “small change” can be the biggest step that takes your business to a new level you never imagined.

Next article

In Part 3, we'll delve deeper into the topic of "3D printer types": What are the differences between FDM and SLA (resin)? And what are the pros and cons of each type?

References

3D has been released in 2019 and has been released from 5 stores. ..., 11月 14, 2025 is the time of year 2025
https://www.ksdl.co.jp/column/3dprinter-cases/

3D has a new version of 3D, 11 月 14, 2025 is the time of year 2025
https://www.3d-printout.com/study3d/study1/

3D Japanese translations: 3D translations: 3D translations | Formlabs, 11月 14, 2025. https://formlabs.com/jp/industries/automotive/

3D characters are created in different ways | 3Dプリンター・3Dプリントならi-MAKER, 11月 14, 2025にアクセス、
https://i-maker.jp/blog/select-3dprint-make-33988.html

Image from the original 3D 3D animation - FLASHFORGE, 11 January 2025, January 14, 2025.
https://flashforge.jp/benefit_list/medical/

Japanese version of the 3D printed version, published on February 11, 2025, January 14, 2025.
https://www.dent3d-navi.com/example/

Applicable to Formlabs for Dental - Japanese version, 11月 14, 2025
https://dental.form2.shop/case2

3D shows off the 20th anniversary of the release of the 3D series - APPLE TREE, 11月April 14, 2025
https://apple-tree.co.jp/column/3dprinter-print-ideas/

【実例紹介】3Dプリンターを活用したハンドメイド雑貨 ~22選 - Japanese girl, 11月 14, 2025 is the time of year 2025
https://grape-piyo.com/3dp-goods/