Most traditional manufacturers turn away “small” orders.
Traditionally, any order lying in the range of 100-500 units has been regarded too expensive and faced with brutal lead times.
But here’s the good thing:
➡️ That “too small” run is where 3D printing excels.
Additive manufacturing affords Smart Factory great value in allowing businesses to move from small-scale projects.
Top 10 real-world examples:
- Medical devices – 100 surgical guides for a clinical trial, ISO 13485-certified. No tooling!
- Tech products – 200 custom enclosures for beta testers. Pilot launch.
- Industrial spare parts – 150 parts for a failing machine run. Printed direct, eliminated downtime.
- Custom Fixtures & Jigs – 100 assembly aids. Same week turnaround, low cost, high agility.
- Automotive customization – 150 interior trim parts, made on demand, no tooling required.
- Aerospace & Drones – 12 lightweight flight test parts. Get faster testing cycles that cost less.
- Education & Training – 40 anatomical models for med students. Low cost, repeatable, customizable.
- Fashion & Footwear – 150 limited-edition sneaker accessories. Flexible drops and no molds.
- Robotics & Automation – 15 attachments for gripping. Rapid R&D cycle, low costs.
- Defense Equipment – 70 specialized mounts. Faster deployment, lower supplier risk.
The takeaway:
If told that your order is “too small,” it is almost assuredly the perfect fit for additive ( US! 🙂 Smart Factory UAB )
