Raising the bar for additive manufacturing with expert service & delivery — beyond the status quo
MACHINING & MACHINERY ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING ( AM )
3D PEOPLE
Raising the bar for additive manufacturing with expert service & delivery — beyond the status quo
The business of manufacturing continues as it always has , and typically brings successes and challenges across the workflow . The evolution of how manufacturers produce and deliver their applications is a particularly interesting factor to consider as the number of manufacturing processes available and their capabilities increase and improve . One of the more disruptive technologies to emerge in recent decades is that of additive manufacturing ( AM ) or industrial 3D printing . This technology set itself incorporates a range of processes , a continually growing palette of materials , and software that enables the technology and improves efficiencies . Utilising industrial 3D printing for any manufacturing discipline , whether for rapid prototyping , tooling , or , increasingly , production on demand , does not come without its own set of challenges , but deploying AM can also bring great advantages .
The benefits of AM are well documented , in essence allowing manufacturers to exploit the ability to build complex parts , in one piece , which were previously impossible . This in turn enables the consolidation of existing parts , reducing assembly requirements and reducing overall costs . In addition , with explicit design for process knowledge , AM parts can also be made stronger and lighter making them more efficient across their life cycle while also reducing material consumption . For low and medium production runs , AM can eliminate the need for tooling , making it a faster and more cost-effective manufacturing option . These advantages mean that AM has become a viable option for many manufacturers .
However , while all of these advantages are enabled by the additive systems that build the parts , in reality , the AM hardware is actually just one piece — albeit a vital piece — of an ecosystem of technologies that enable success with AM .
The building of the parts utilising AM is the essential core of the manufacturing workflow , however what happens before and after the build are also vital to delivering high quality parts in the most efficient and cost-effective way .
Here , we are exploring how a specialised bureau can raise the bar for AM with quality services that extend beyond just the 3D printed parts themselves .
A Holistic Approach to Delivering Quality Experience and expertise go a long way to alleviating the challenges manufacturers face when using AM . Working with a specialist AM bureau ensures that both come as part of the service from beginning to end . Look for an innovative business model that delivers high quality end-to-end processes including fast , automated ordering
80 PECM Issue 72