Revolutionizing Manufacturing: How 3D‑Printed Tooling Cuts Costs and Accelerates Time‑to‑Market

Manufacturers today face relentless pressure to accelerate product launches while trimming costs and boosting margins. Durable tooling is a key component of the production process, yet it can represent a significant expense. Recent breakthroughs in 3D printing are transforming this reality by slashing tooling costs and shortening time‑to‑market for new products. Many companies are now turning to Markforged machines to 3D‑print strong, accurate, and durable tooling that meets the demands of a high‑volume production environment.

3D Tooling in Additive Manufacturing

Until Markforged introduced continuous‑fiber composites and low‑cost MIM‑based (ADAM) metal printing, additive manufacturing was largely confined to prototyping. Today, manufacturers have a viable technology to solve the costly tooling challenge. The biggest barrier to adoption? Education. Markforged is actively educating the manufacturing community about the tangible benefits of functional 3D‑printed tooling, and the industry is beginning to notice.

For instance, Dixon Valve used Markforged printers to fabricate both metal and composite gripper jaws. The company required jaws that could withstand harsh physical and chemical conditions while remaining cost‑effective and time‑saving. Composite jaws allowed engineers to retool a robotic arm in under 24 hours, whereas metal jaws could hold abrasive parts without wearing out.

Cost Benefits of 3D‑Printed Tooling

Manufacturers are now printing anywhere from 10–50 % of the durable tooling used in their processes. When compared with machined parts, 3D‑printed tooling typically delivers an average cost savings of 80 %. More importantly, these parts are delivered 85 % faster, reducing line changeover times and accelerating design cycles. Secondary benefits—such as lower scrap rates, higher throughput, improved line optimization, and ergonomic gains for operators—further enhance the bottom line.

The shift toward 3D‑printed tooling is already underway. Are you keeping pace?

Learn how other businesses are leveraging Markforged printers in our applications section.

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