Mr Schwinger stressed that although many things are possible (such as Local Motors’ 3D printed cars) it does not mean they are feasible on a mass market scale and that sometimes 3D printing lets creative minds dive into “wishful designs” that are not necessarily efficient or attractive to the end user (3DPI’s coverage of the CRP futuristic tennis racquet was expressly mentioned as an example).
Racket prototypes using 3D printing technology. HEAD can certainly be considered an intensive user of 3D printing technologies although the demands of tennis racquet manufacturing do not yet call for the use of 3D printing in final products. Before that happens, a series of hurdles need to be overcome, beginning with establishing a system to help companies find the right AM process for them among an ocean of constantly evolving possibilities. Manufacturers need to help companies choose a process simply by indicating the type of part, the materials to be used, the quality and evenness, the stability, the functional requirements and the number of parts/speed of production.