Partners in progress
GENERAL NEWS
Climate change and digital transformation present challenges to companies from all industries , which involve huge investment costs and require distinct innovative power . The terms “ competition ” and “ co-operation ” may seem complete opposites , but it can prove sensible for competitors to bundle their resources to overcome these challenges . The term used to describe this is “ coopetition ”, a combination of the two words “ co-operation ” and “ competition ”.
Martin Daum , CEO of Daimler Truck AG , discusses this topic with Martin Lundstedt , CEO of the Volvo Group , in a new ‘ Transportation Matters ’ podcast discussion . A central topic of this discussion is the launch of cellcentric , a fuel cell joint venture owned by both corporations , which was announced earlier this year . The objective of this partnership is to accelerate the use of hydrogen-based fuel cells in long-distance haulage trucks .
“ Climate change is the challenge of our generation . By working together with partners in specific key areas , such as the development and production of fuel cell systems , we can accelerate the transition to more sustainable transport solutions . This type of partnership benefits both our customers and society as a whole ,” commented Martin Lundstedt .
Martin Daum added : “ Of course , partnerships with competitors are not simple . It implies that you are working closely together with a competitor in one particular area with whom you continue to compete fiercely in many other areas . However , if you do it correctly , partnerships of this nature are of great benefit – particularly in times of transformation .
“ In view of the fundamental change taking place in our industry , it is vital that the
Daimler Truck CEO , Martin Daum , and Volvo Group CEO , Martin Lundstedt , discuss partnerships and ‘ coopetition ’ in a new podcast .
development of new technologies , such as the fuel cell in trucks , now pick up speed . Cellcentric is our new joint venture with the Volvo Group and together we are quickly developing the fuel cell to series-production readiness with the intention of establishing this technology for long-distance haulage trucks and beyond ,” he added .
“ Transportation Matters ” and the latest podcast episode with Martin Lundstedt can be accessed and subscribed to at the Daimler Truck corporate website . n
Smithstown chooses TruPrint 2000
Smithstown Light Engineering , based in Shannon , Ireland , has invested in a TRUMPF TruPrint 2000 3D printing system to enhance its support for the country ’ s burgeoning medical device industry . The first machine of its type in Ireland , the TruPrint 2000 is now busy producing prototypes and samples for a variety of customers in 17-4 and 316 stainless steel .
Founded in 1974 , Smithstown Light Engineering started out with a workforce of four skilled toolmakers . During the early 1990s , the company moved towards specialising in medical device manufacturing . Today , it employs 141 people across three sites , two in Ireland and one in Poland , focusing on the provision of precisionengineered medical device and orthopaedic instrument / implant solutions , typically for hip and knee replacement procedures and cardiovascular delivery devices .
Already offering a range of manufacturing capabilities ( including milling , turning , grinding and EDM ), Smithstown was keen to add 3D printing to its repertoire , and set about creating an Additive Centre within a recently constructed 30,000 ft 2 extension .
“ We worked for two years with IMR [ Irish Manufacturing Research ], a technology and research organisation , to experience 3D printing and get a feel for what it could do in terms of its capabilities , limitations , advantages and disadvantages ,” explained SLE managing director , Gerard King . The aim was to provide an additive support role for Smithstown ’ s medical device customers , specifically for R & D work .
Installed at the end of 2020 , Smithstown is using its new TruPrint 2000 to produce printed parts from metal . The company ’ s new Additive Centre also houses a machine for printing polymer components .
“ Additive is ideal for medical work because of the complex geometries involved ,” said Mr Kelly . “ Without 3D printing , several processes would be required , taking many hours . Additive also offers the potential for individual customisation , which has obvious benefits for products such as implants .
“ In the medical sector , it can take years to move from the design and test stage to validated production , but we ’ re now in a position to help expedite this process and bring customer ideas to life . Upon reaching the production phase of current projects , we could well need several 3D printing systems so that we can dedicate machines to a single material . We will not hesitate to invest in more machines if the demand is there .”
The TruPrint features a small 55 µ m diameter laser beam . Two TRUMPF 300W fibre lasers deliver high productivity over the entire cylindrical build volume of 200mm diameter x 200mm high . Melt pool monitoring detects deviations in the laser metal fusion process , and critical areas of the component can be visualised . Users can also monitor all weld pools in parallel .
Moving forward , Smithstown ’ s business strategy is to focus more on high-volume precision components , rather than simply tooling and small-batch parts . It recently secured several new projects that are driving the need for more staff recruitment .
TRUMPF demonstrated its 3D printing systems at TCT3Sixty ( 28-30 September , NEC , Birmingham , UK ) on stand F28 . New to the range is the TruPrint 3000 3D printing system . n
. trumpf . com
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