For a few years now, industrial 3D printing tends to become more mainstream. The reduction in equipment costs makes technologies more accessible to manufacturers. They can now themselves print tooling for internal use or small prototypes for design validation. However, in a manufacturing context that involves the sale of a product or more complex components, seeking the services of specialists in industrial 3D printing is relevant. Why? These experts usually have access to a lot of sophisticated equipment and a wide choice of materials. Also, their expertise can prove essential to find the right solution and the right combination (technology, material, post-processing) to meet the different quality, mechanical, aesthetic requirements, etc.
Find out why it is useful to call on an industrial 3D printing specialist to develop a functional prototype or produce parts in small or medium quantities.
1. Get Personalized Support
2. Design Parts to Suit Your Needs
3. Get the Appropriate Material
4. Print with State-of-the-art Equipment
5. Validate the Quality of Your Parts
6. Certify Your Parts
What are your technical needs and requirements? What is the type of application? In what environment will the part be used? These are some examples of questions an industrial 3D printing specialist will ask you. Most certainly, depending on the intended application, the desired functionalities, the design, the technical requirements, the surface finish, but also the costs will influence the choice of technologies and materials. The role of the industrial 3D printing specialist is therefore to sort out these different aspects and fully understand your needs to ensure the success of your project. This way, you let the experts take care of your printing project, while you focus on your core business.
The additive manufacturing specialist has knowledge and in-depth expertise of the entire industrial 3D printing value chain, so he can advise you on part design.
Before proceeding with industrial 3D printing, you must first have a 3D file characterizing the part. Many parameters must be taken into consideration, including the thickness of the layers or the orientation in which the part has to be manufactured. Depending on the objectives and analyses of the 3D files, the specialist optimizes the design and programming parameters, using dedicated software. This gives you peace of mind, as it means you don’t have to undertake various technical validations.
When it comes to the choice of materials, the solutions are vaste in industrial 3D printing. Typically, specialists have access to a wider range of materials than what “non-expert” companies can access on their small in-house printers. Indeed, 3D printing service providers have access to a large portfolio of materials, since they do business with several partners and material suppliers. They are also aware of the latest developments in materials.
Understanding the needs helps with decision-making. Do you need to produce a prototype or an end-use part? What are the concerns in terms of physical, mechanical, or quality requirements? The input of a professional then helps shed light on this choice.
The choice of materials and the final properties of the parts make it possible to define the industrial 3D printing technology (FDM, SLS, etc.) to be used. Unlike small 3D printers, industrial 3D printing equipment enables production using more advanced materials, such as those requiring high temperatures and a heated chamber. Other than the fact that specialized industrial 3D printing services have a wide range of 3D printers, they usually have post-processing and finishing equipment to finish the part (dyeing, smoothing, sealing, painting, etc.). Finally, the dimensions of the parts as well as the production volumes do not pose a problem because specialists typically use industrial 3D printers, which are distinguished by their large build volume.
Industrial 3D printing specialists design parts according to best manufacturing practices, which may be based on recognized standards such as ISO 9001:2015 and AS9100:2016. They have equipment at their disposal to qualify materials, validate the mechanical properties and ensure the quality of the parts. This includes both destructive and/or non-destructive testing (traction, compression, bending), as well as a rigorous inspection process in a controlled dimensional metrology environment. Furthermore, if the printing technology has certain limitations for a type of project, industrial 3D printing specialists will be able to advise you.
Not only do industrial 3D printing specialists control the quality of parts, they can also make sure the parts satisfy specific certifications and standards, which vary depending on the industry and type of application. Their production processes follow a precise and rigorous methodology, allowing the customer to certify critical production parts. For example, experts such as Solaxis even produce aerospace and space-grade parts, following a detailed methodology. Solaxis can help its clients develop this methodology when required.
Solaxis
On top of providing an extensive line of industrial 3D printers, Solaxis makes available an engineering team that has the knowledge and expertise to guide you in your decisions. We are present throughout the value chain: 3D file analysis, design and programming optimization, validation of technical requirements, quality management... We design parts according to best manufacturing practices, regardless of whether they have specific requirements or standards. Finally, with the aim of continuously improving parts and optimizing printing processes, research and development holds an important place in our premises. We are therefore open to carrying out collaborative innovation projects.
In summary, doing business with additive manufacturing specialists provides peace of mind since you have the assurance that the parts produced will meet both technical and quality requirements.
Whether you want to integrate industrial 3D printing into your processes or go beyond the limits of technology, we are available. Questions? Contact our team of professionals today!