3D printing is often underestimated: too expensive, too complex, not for us. Two Expert Classes at Machineering will demonstrate that additive manufacturing can also be very suitable for relatively simple products. With the right design and the right 3D printing technology, you can efficiently produce simple products.
Design for additive manufacturing is often read as you need to design a product in such a way that you take maximum advantage of the benefits of additive manufacturing. So lighter construction and function integration. But what is the influence of the design on the cost price? During one of the Expert Classes at Machineering, Willem Van Cauwenberge, head of engineering at Metal Technics 3D, will discuss this subject on the basis of a part for a machine. In particular, he wants to make it clear that the right design, aimed at a lower cost price, broadens the applicability of 3D metal printing.
Shorter print time means lower costs and a more reliable process
The effects of a 20% reduction in print time
During his pitch at Flam3D’s Start to 3D print a few weeks ago, Willem Van Cauwenberge already lifted a corner of the veil. As often, the original question from the customer was: can you 3D print this in metal? That is often possible, but the more relevant question is whether it makes sense? In this case, this only became apparent after re-engineering by the Flemish AM company. “By adjusting and optimizing the positioning for support, we have been able to reduce the printing time by 20% and much less manual post processing is required, such as removing the support structures,” says Van Cauwenberge.
Unfamiliarity with AM process
He notices that customers are often insufficiently aware of the advantage of a shorter printing time. “That means lower costs and a more reliable process.” In the end, MT3D also modified the design so that the part consists of only two components, which provides a direct advantage in assembly and better tolerance of the whole. Finally, he points to the flexibility that the customer gains by switching to 3D metal printing. “They no longer need to order large quantities. We can put 100 pieces on the build platform. Ordering more produces few economies of scale. This allows them to make a small design adjustment after every 100 pieces if necessary.
Robland 3D prints medium-sized series with FFF printers
Ordinary FDM printer, but then dozens of pieces
Gert Muijs, director of the Belgian machine builder Robland, shows in another Expert Class how you as a machine builder can use FFF 3D printing technology in a meaningful way. Robland is a Belgian manufacturer of machines for the woodworking industry. Once started with 1 FFF printer, there are now dozens in the factory in Bruges. It uses this to 3D print production parts for the machines on a medium scale. Gert Muijs not only discusses the current use of the FFF printers, but also outlines the trial and error process that the machine builder has gone through to achieve a successful application of FFF printing.
3D printing on the exhibition floor
Additive manufacturing is one of the themes at Machineering. Buhlman Additive is, among others, with experts from Desktop Metal present at the fair to explain the possibilities of 3D metal printing, plastic printing and 3D printing of sand cores for the casting industry. Thomas More University presents the Mobile Print Lab at the fair, the first in Flanders. GS Technology shows next to the It will sink SLS printers also the new Cubicon SLA machine and technology Markforged. Renishaw shows in Brussels how metal 3D printing makes it possible to build personalized bicycles. 3D metal printer manufacturer SLS Solutions also participates in Machineering. The German company supplies, among other things, the 3D printer to KMWE Precision, which will start using the AM unit in Eindhoven this spring.
In addition to the exhibition floor, the theme is reflected in the Expert Classes. Gert Muijs (Ribland) will speak on March 30 at 1.30 pm. The Expert Class with Willem Van Cauwenberge from MT3D will take place on Friday March 31 at 2 p.m. during Machineering. You can register here (with code 105)