A new horizon for PSPs in the form of 3D print
A new horizon
Print-service-providers had to diversify to survive during the pandemic – creating screens, hand gel, personal protective equipment (PPE) and scrubs for frontline workers. But in doing so to survive themselves, PSPs helped the public, doctors and nurses to survive too.
But as the world begins to recuperate, businesses need to look to the future and how they can continue their own journey to recovery, and possibly even growth. A recent report from Supply Demand Market Research has predicted that the 3D print market will reach a value of $4.4bn (£29.7bn) by 2026. In 2019, the market was valued at $10.4bn (£7.47bn) so this means that now is the time to strike.
Over the last few years, 3D print has emerged as a viable option as numerous manufacturers have come along with innovative technology and solutions for this market. From a printer’s perspective, investing in 3D printing machinery can lead you down avenues such as: merchandise, spare parts for the automotive and industrial sectors and even architecture through scaled models.
One example is that of a company in Italy, which has turned to 3D print and HP in particular to continue its robotics production. Campetella Robotic Centre in the Macerata province specialises in the production and application of industrial robots and automation systems for plastic material injection moulding.
Campetella in Italy has turned to 3D printing and HP to help with the production of gripping hands
This example is a double positive of how companies can also diversify into helping the printing industry – Campetella invested in the HP Multi Jet Fusion 4200 3D printer to help produce custom gripping hands that can handle products such as labels.
Carlo Campetella, chairman of the company, explains: “Automation has changed over the years; today, it is about industrialising processes in shorter timescales. The advent of the 3D printer has been a major facilitator in opening up a world that, in my opinion, is only held back by imagination.
The advent of the 3D printer has been a major facilitator in opening up a world that, in my opinion, is only held back by imagination”
“Flexible technology has changed the way in which we produce customised automated systems and made us think differently about how we approach new demands and prototypes.”
Campetella can produce mechanical parts and components quickly as well as helping to save on costs. Using the Multi Jet Fusion 4200, the Italian company has been able to reach its production goals and reduce the weight of the spindles produced by 50%. On top of this, 3D print has allowed Campetella to reduce the speed of production to market from eight to four weeks.
Latest Kit
Israel-based Massivit 3D has recently launched the industrial-grade Massivit 5000 large-scale 3D printer. Previously, machines were aimed at the print and sign markets, allowing firms to create 3D signs and models. Now, it has entered the market focused on manufacturing larger parts, which can provide a new avenue for those printers and sign-makers. This means that the 5000 can be used for large-scale manufacturing, prototyping and tooling for the automotive, marine and rail industries.
The 5000 is based on Massivit’s patented Gel Dispensing Printing (GDP) technology. A new printing material, DIMENGEL 110, is now available with the 5000 and enables high-definition printing as well as offering a Dual Material System (DMS). The 5000 can print large, complex parts up to 145cm x 111cm x 180cm and instantly cures during the printing process.
The Massivit 5000 is the latest offering from the Israel-based company
Zmorph is a Polish 3D printer manufacturer run by female chief executive officer, Magdalena Jagiello. After the company rebranded last year to venture into the industrial market, the company launched an all-in-one desktop printer in December 2020. Now, it has also released a new industrial-grade 3D printer in the form of the Zmorph i500. It has been specifically designed for cost effective, low-volume production, custom tooling and rapid prototyping. The company says that it can be used in the automotive, research and development (R&D), aerospace, production and military industries.
The Zmorph i500 is available from J-Supplied 3D in the UK
The printing volume of the i500 is 500mm x 460mm x 300mm and can print multiple parts simultaneously or create large models. It uses a Dual Drive Extruder featuring a Nozzle Lifting System that works with various systems. It has a touch panel that presents a user-friendly UI to Filament flow system and it also features a Distributed Control System.
Marek Klos, vice president of Zmorph comments: “Zmorph has been present in the additive manufacturing market since 2013. We used this time to acquire experience and R&D proficiency to enter the professional market. Last year, despite Covid-19, we undertook full company rebranding and released a new all-in-one machine – the Zmorph Fab.
“With the Zmorph i500, we are ready to compete with professional segment market leaders. Zmorph i500 is an easy to operate and maintain, modern, large-format 3D printer, that is designed to fulfil the needs of even the most demanding users from the industry. The i500 was carefully developed with valuable feedback from our customers and distributor network.”
The i500 is available in the UK from reseller J-Supplied 3D.
Different industries
As mentioned earlier, PSPs can have the opportunity to supply to other industries with 3D print – this can range from the automotive and rail industries all the way through to working with the armed forces.
One industry that particularly stands out as a viable opportunity for printers and sign-makers is the automotive market. EOS, an industrial 3D printer for metal and plastics manufacturer, aids Audi in its production of spare parts for cars.
EOS manufacture industrial-grade 3D printers
“More than any other company, EOS has mastered the interactions between lasers and powder materials,” explains Garth Stevenson, sales manager for the UK and Ireland. “We offer everything you could need from a single source: systems, materials, process parameters but also software and consulting services. Everything has been intelligently coordinated to enable reliable high part quality, giving our customers a competitive edge.”
EOS was found in 1989 and “provides responsible manufacturing solutions via industrial 3D printing technology to manufacturers around the world,” according to Stevenson. The sales manager also notes that while operating globally, EOS strives to be conscious of the planet in its practices.
Stevenson continues: “All EOS machines are industrial-grade 3D printers and we have optimised the interactions between the 3D printer, the material and the processes for part production at industrial scale.
“Our systems are available for metal or polymer-based materials and our technology lays the foundation for manufacturing results that meet a wide range of industrial requirements, dimensional accuracy, surface quality and stability.”
For the last three decades, EOS has used Direct Metal Laser Melting (DMLS) as the “technology of choice for EOS metal additive manufacturing machines” and is now “the standard in metal 3D printing”.
Stevenson adds: “Metal parts produced with DMLS technology achieve uniform part quality with properties like those produced by conventional casting or forging processes.”
The additive manufacturing systems for plastic instead uses a selective laser sintering (SLS) technique. The laser works to sinter powdered material to create the product. “Our SLS printers enable the cost efficient and high performance production of high quality parts from plastics,” says Stevenson.
Viability
With a predicted growth rate of 27% between 2017 and 2023, the 3D print sector is only going to become more lucrative. Investing in technology now could make sure that PSPs are ahead of the curve and front of the queue to reap the rewards.
Stevenson of EOS says: “Industrial 3D printing offers companies immense potential in the development of new applications. It is a highly skilled industry and not simply a case of buying a machine. Especially for newcomers, it is important to build up know-how quickly.
“For this, EOS created the ‘Additive Minds Academy’ with 3D online courses for all levels of expertise. The mission of the academy is to develop innovative learning formats and impart application-oriented knowledge about industrial 3D printing in the shortest possible time.”
EOS technology has been used by Audi to produce 12 segments of four tools for hot forming, including body panels for the Audi A4 model. This shows that major companies, such as the German car manufacturer, are interested in 3D print.
Not only is there this interest, but there are also other benefits of turning to 3D print. Stevenson adds: “Industrial 3D printing is not only changing manufacturing’s relationship with the environment, but it has also become possible to create production parts that previously could not have been conceived with conventional manufacturing methods.
O Factoid: In the Marvel Universe movie franchise, Iron Man’s suit was 3D printed and the technology was
also used in costume design in Black Panther O
“In many cases, parts can be made faster, more complex, with less weight and better performance, as well as being made on-demand.”
Stevenson concludes: “The technology is opening up new creative possibilities for engineers, designers and industries across the world.”
Your text here...
