On this weekend’s 3D Printing Information Briefs, we’re first sharing a few case examine from PostProcess Applied sciences about optimizing post-print workflows at J.W. Speaker. AM Options’s post-processing know-how was used to assist an organization streamline its R&D prototyping. Nestlé has carried out a standardized course of for 3D printing throughout its UK manufacturing websites. Lastly, graduate college students from Don Bosco College used 3D printing to make a stratospheric probe for a particular challenge.
PostProcess on Optimizing Put up-Printing Workflows at J.W. Speaker
3D printed pallet utilized in J.W. Speaker’s lighting manufacturing
A longtime FDM additive manufacturing (AM) consumer, J.W. Speaker designs and makes high-performance LED lighting for automotive, industrial, powersports, and transportation purposes, and has used Stratasys and HP machines in its Wisconsin facility for years. The corporate prints between 10 and 50 elements every week, principally purposeful fixtures and gauges. However its guide post-printing course of was slowing down the workflow, as eradicating assist materials was a labor-intensive course of for operators. This severely restricted the corporate’s potential to effectively scale its manufacturing, particularly as print volumes stored rising. As detailed in a case examine, J.W. Speaker partnered up with PostProcess Applied sciences to herald the automated BASE FDM Assist Removing Answer. The corporate additionally carried out the Stratasys F3300 printer, with bigger half capability and sooner printing, and the mixture of the 2 has created a extra environment friendly, scalable AM workflow. The F3300 made it doable so as to add extra tooling purposes, like fixtures and pallets, and the automated BASE answer has sped up the method. Total, J.W. Audio system studies a 78% time financial savings, and annual price financial savings of $60K-$75K.
“With our previous machine, we must put the elements in an oven in a single day to dry out,” defined Michael Speaker, Lead Additive Manufacturing Specialist at J. W. Speaker. “Now, we now have the elements cleaned and able to be delivered in simply a few hours.”
AM Options S1 Helps FMCG Streamline R&D Prototyping
Talking of post-processing, a UK-based Quick-Shifting Shopper Items (FMCG) firm made a strategic funding in its R&D facility’s AM capabilities by putting in the automated S1 system from AM Options – 3D submit processing know-how, a model of the Rösler Group. Beforehand, this firm used guide bead blasting with glass media in its lab, which works on a whole lot of fast prototyping for early-stage market analysis in packaging and product design. However this course of wanted main operator involvement, was time-intensive, generated mud within the working setting, and made for variations in end high quality. Different post-print techniques wanted one machine for cleansing and one other for floor ending, however the S1, with its compact footprint and built-in course of, have been a significantly better match. Plus, its two-in-one performance allowed each processes to happen on the identical time, in the identical machine, with only one blasting media. The FMCG firm additionally appreciated the assist that AM Options offered, serving to them discover the best mixture of media and compound and fine-tuning the method parameters for the S1 to make sure sooner, extra environment friendly iteration. This story reveals that post-processing has loads of worth earlier within the growth cycle, and never simply on the finish.
“It wasn’t simply concerning the time spent every day (although saving 300 hours a yr isn’t any small factor) it was additionally about consistency, security, and releasing up our staff to give attention to the extra inventive, high-value features of R&D. The S1 provides us a totally enclosed, automated course of that handles each cleansing and floor ending in a single go, saving house and delivering repeatable outcomes,” mentioned a spokesman for the FMCG firm.
“What actually set AM Options aside was their information and willingness to interact with our particular wants. They didn’t simply promote us a machine, they helped us construct a ending answer that works for our elements, our supplies, and our workflow. That form of experience is uncommon.”
Nestlé Implements & Optimizes 3D Printing Throughout UK Manufacturing Websites
Swiss multinational meals and beverage firm Nestlé has been working to determine, implement, and optimize a standardized course of for 3D printing throughout its UK manufacturing websites over the previous yr. On the firm’s York facility, its three AM consultants have used the know-how to print spare elements and substitute elements for its UK factories; these elements are then despatched to in-house websites, like its York, Tutbury, and Halifax areas. Not solely has this initiative resulted in main price financial savings, however the firm has additionally diminished its reliance on third-party suppliers, which means transportation wants and carbon emissions have each decreased as effectively. This has contributed to a extra inexperienced provide chain, and performed a component in assembly Nestlé’s sustainability objectives. The corporate stays dedicated to innovation, and not too long ago hosted a workshop with Markforged at its York campus to debate scalable implementation of AM in high-volume manufacturing. Moreover, Nestlé plans to increase its AM capabilities sooner or later to incorporate food-safe elements, and has set a goal to provide over 5% of its onsite stock with 3D printing.
“As we proceed to embrace 3D printing know-how, we aren’t solely enhancing our operational effectivity but additionally paving the best way for sustainable manufacturing practices that can outline the way forward for our business,” mentioned Simon Billington, Head of Technical & Manufacturing at Nestlé UK and Eire.
Don Bosco College students Use 3D Printing in Stratospheric Probe for Zuyat Mission
The Micro Macro Observatory (OMM) of Universidad Don Bosco (UDB) not too long ago introduced the Zuyat Mission challenge, meant to assist revolutionize house science examine in El Salvador by means of scientific information switch and tutorial outreach. With the assistance of a few of their professors, graduate college students from the Aeronautics and Engineering departments participated within the challenge, and used 3D printing to fabricate the construction for a stratospheric probe. The probe was impressed by house capsules used to take measuring devices into house, and can carry techniques which can be obligatory for gathering meteorological and environmental knowledge, which is able to later be analyzed and in contrast with trajectory simulation knowledge. An essential design facet is that the prototype is ready to survive the stratosphere’s extraordinarily chilly circumstances, so researchers can correctly analyze environmental variables like air composition, atmospheric stress, and temperature. The success of this challenge is strengthening college students’ abilities and welcoming in new alternatives and concepts for scientific articles and analysis initiatives within the nation of El Salvador.
“We will obtain nice issues once we work collectively, once we dream collectively, once we see what we’re able to in a challenge like this,” mentioned Mario Olmos, Rector of UDB, in a translated article. “I’m certain those that participated have skilled great development, serving to them see what they’re able to, placing what they’ve discovered into follow, and fascinated by the longer term on this method.”
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