3iD produces with MJF printers that run entirely on solar energy and batteries, enabling printing at night without fossil fuels. The process recovers 80% of the unused powder and uses the residual heat from the printing process to heat the workshop.
Two print cycles per day. Each cycle lasts approximately 16 hours, followed by cooling and cleaning. A production that runs around the clock requires a lot of energy. For 3iD, the question was not whether that energy is needed, but where it comes from. Fossil fuels are not a given. Green energy is. The investment in solar panels and batteries is a strategic choice that makes economic sense and reduces the ecological footprint.
Why Do We Also Use Batteries?
Solar panels alone are insufficient for a production process that runs day and night. Even if the roof is completely covered. During the day, the panels supply enough energy; at night, the source naturally dries up. Without batteries, 3iD would necessarily fall back on the electricity grid at night. With batteries, production continues on renewable energy, regardless of the time of day.
The business case for battery storage is concrete:
- Energy independence: production at night without dependence on grid power or fossil fuels
- Cost stability: energy prices fluctuate considerably. Self-generated energy provides predictability
- Transparent quotes: stable energy costs translate into clear, reliable cost prices for clients
- Long-term return: the investments in sustainable energy are a deliberate business decision from day one. We will continue to evolve when new technologies allow it.
How Does the Energy Management of 3ID Work in Practice?
During the day, the MJF printers (Multi Jet Fusion) draw their energy directly from the solar panels. Production runs almost entirely on sunlight at that moment. The surplus energy is stored in the batteries, and at night they take over, so that the HP printers keep running, without being dependent on grid power or fossil fuel.
The integration covers virtually the entire energy needs of the current 3D printing process. With exceptions aside, 3iD therefore produces 100% on renewable energy. It makes 3D printing a process that is technologically forward-looking and remains ecologically defensible.
The residual heat from the printing process is not wasted either. What the 3D printers emit in heat directly fills the workshop, making a separate heating installation unnecessary. Everything is put to good use, and that efficiency characterizes the entire workflow.
How High Is the Material Recovery Rate with MJF?
With MJF, only 20% of the powder is effectively converted into printed parts. The remaining 80% remains unused in the print bed. With other techniques, that material is lost or is only partially recovered, whether or not as second-choice material.
Comparison with SLS:
- MJF (Multi Jet Fusion) → 80% material recovery
- SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) → 30–50% material recovery
3D printing uses no channels, has no attachment points, and requires no form-related post-processing that removes material. What is printed stays printed. What is not printed is saved for later. That simplicity makes the process inherently more economical than traditional production techniques such as injection molding.
Why Is Sustainable Production Economically Sound?
Sustainability is often presented as an additional cost. In reality, it can yield an economic advantage. Energy prices fluctuate, and own energy means stability. Material recovery lowers raw material costs. Residual heat replaces a heating system.
Those advantages translate into predictable cost prices for clients. A quote made today remains valid tomorrow. Surprises due to sudden energy price increases are not part of the equation. There is no material waste to be passed on. Transparency and stability go hand in hand.
3iD chose solar energy because it fit within our concept and our story. Economically and ecologically. That combination makes sustainability here not a marketing story but an integral part of the business operations. It is not an end in itself. It is a logical consequence of efficient entrepreneurship.
What Does Sustainable 3D Printing Mean for the Future of Industrial Production?
Sustainability in 3D printing is not an endpoint, but an evolution. Twenty years ago, 3D printing was experimental. Today it is a mature production technology. Sustainability evolved along with it, from a side issue to an integral part of the process. From an additional cost to an economic advantage. 3iD produces on solar energy because it makes sense. For the company, for the clients, and for the future of production.
Wondering whether rapid prototyping via 3D printing is worthwhile for your project?
Contact 3iD at info@3idprinting.be or visit www.3idprinting.be
Frequently Asked Questions about Sustainable 3D Production
How does 3D printing on solar energy work at night?
During the day, the MJF printers draw their energy directly from the solar panels. The surplus energy is stored in batteries, and at night they take over. The printers keep running, without being dependent on grid power.
How much material is lost with 3D printing?
With 3D printing using MJF, only 20% of the powder is effectively converted into printed parts. The remaining 80% is supplemented with new material and reused in the next print cycle, without loss of quality.
Is the residual heat used?
What the 3D printers emit in heat directly fills the workshop. A separate heating installation is therefore unnecessary.
Is sustainable production more expensive?
Energy prices fluctuate and own energy means stability. Material recovery lowers raw material costs. Residual heat replaces a heating system. Those advantages translate into predictable cost prices for clients.
