Humanoid robotics is currently one of the most visible and rapidly evolving technological areas. Although most companies do not develop humanoid robots, the challenges associated with manufacturing their components are similar to those encountered daily in many other industrial sectors: the need to reduce weight, integrate electronics, produce complex geometries, rapidly validate new concepts and reduce product time-to-market.
It is precisely in this context that industrial additive manufacturing demonstrates its full potential.
The images accompanying this article present different parts manufactured by 3D printing and used in humanoid robots. Housings, covers, brackets, integration components, sensor enclosures and structural parts are produced rapidly, without the need for moulds or specific tooling.
More than just discussing robotics, these examples show how additive manufacturing can be applied to the development of virtually any industrial product.
Context and challenge
What Can Your Company Learn From Humanoid Robotics?
A humanoid robot integrates a large number of mechanical, electronic and functional components in a very limited space. Each part must be carefully designed to meet requirements for dimension, weight, strength, finish and integration.
These same challenges are present in many other products, such as industrial equipment, automotive components, medical devices, electronic systems, special machinery, tools, consumer products or automation solutions.
3D printing enables rapid transformation of a digital model into a physical part, allowing engineering teams to test, correct and optimise the product before proceeding to final manufacturing processes.
The solution or technology
KINGS Solutions For Industrial Additive Manufacturing
KINGS 3D provides a complete range of additive manufacturing equipment to meet different industrial needs.
SLA technology is especially suitable for parts with high detail, dimensional precision, large dimensions and excellent surface finish. It can be used in the production of housings, presentation prototypes, functional models, validation components and small series.
For functional polymer parts, SLS technology enables the manufacture of strong and complex components, without the need for support structures.
In applications requiring metal components, SLM technology enables the production of complex parts, tools, functional components and geometries difficult to obtain through conventional processes.
KINGS also offers FDM and FGF solutions, suitable for technical parts, tools and large-format components.
This technological diversity enables selection of the most suitable equipment based on part size, material, finish, strength, productivity and final application.
Industrial applications
The technology can be used to produce:
- housings and technical covers;
- brackets for sensors, cameras and electronic components;
- ducts and cable routing systems;
- lightweight components with complex geometries;
- functional prototypes;
- parts for dimensional validation and assembly;
- tools, jigs and production support devices;
- small series and customised components;
- models for silicone moulds, casting or thermoforming.
Thus, even if your company does not manufacture humanoid robots, you may find in these examples solutions directly applicable to your own products and processes.
Results and benefits
Develop Faster and With Lower Risk
In traditional processes, each design change may require new tooling, machining adjustments or costly mould modifications. With additive manufacturing, a modification can be made directly in the digital model and materialised in a new part within hours or days.
This flexibility enables:
- reduced development cycles;
- earlier problem detection;
- testing different solutions before production;
- reduced cost of design changes;
- component production without initial mould investment;
- accelerated introduction of new products to market;
- customisation of parts for specific applications or customers.
The result is a faster, more flexible and controlled innovation process.
How NM3D can help
Purchase Equipment or Use NM3D Services
Not all companies need to immediately acquire an industrial 3D printer. In some cases, the best solution is to start with a pilot project, manufacture some parts, validate the technology and assess its impact on the production process.
NM3D Ibérica provides two ways to access KINGS technologies.
KINGS Equipment Implementation
For companies wishing to integrate additive manufacturing internally, NM3D supports the entire project:
- application analysis;
- technology and equipment selection;
- testing and demonstration parts;
- installation and commissioning;
- team training;
- process definition support;
- technical assistance and after-sales support.
The objective is to ensure that the investment is appropriate to the company's actual needs and that the technology is correctly integrated into its operations.
NM3D Additive Manufacturing Services
For companies that need to manufacture parts without acquiring equipment, NM3D provides industrial 3D printing services.
Our team can support from initial model analysis to part production and post-processing. This service is suitable for:
- prototypes;
- validation parts;
- functional components;
- small series;
- replacement parts;
- tools and jigs;
- large-format models;
- new product development.
This option enables testing of additive manufacturing with reduced investment and assessment, based on real applications, of whether there is benefit in subsequently internalising the technology.
Would you like to assess this solution for your application?
Humanoid Robotics As Inspiration For New Products
The parts presented in this article are part of one of today's most innovative sectors. However, the technology used to produce them is available to companies in all sectors.
A housing developed to protect a robot's electronics can follow the same principles as a cover for an industrial machine. A sensor bracket can be adapted to an inspection system. An internal duct can be applied in automotive, medical or electronic equipment.
The question is not just how 3D printing is being used in humanoid robotics.
The real question is:
How can additive manufacturing improve your company's next product?
Speak with the NM3D Ibérica team. We can analyse your application, manufacture a first test part or help select the most suitable KINGS solution to integrate additive manufacturing into your company.
KINGS 3D and NM3D Ibérica: From Idea to Part, From Validation to Production.