3D Systems’s AM workflow solutions employed by major global manufacturers
April 8, 2019
Turbine rear vane produced using the 3D Systems’ DMP Factory 500 Solution , which includes 3Dxpert and GFMS’ Cut E 600 for the separation process. Post-processing was done by GF Precicast (Courtesy 3D Systems)
3D Systems, Rock Hill, South Carolina, USA, has announced that three major global manufacturing companies – Nokia, rms Company, and GF Precicast – have now integrated its Additive Manufacturing solutions into their production workflows. GF Precicast and rms Company are both using the company’s solutions for metal Additive Manufacturing.
rms Company, Coon Rapids, Minnesota, USA, a supplier to medical device manufacturers globally, is said to have expanded its use of 3D Systems’ Direct Metal Printing (DMP) platforms to enable it to apply metal Additive Manufacturing to new products in order to meet its customer requirements and generate new revenue opportunities. While the company’s core competency has historically revolved around precision machining and ancillary services, three years ago it purchased its first 3D Systems ProX® DMP 320 metal AM system.
Since then, it has acquired eleven more ProX DMP 320 machines with two DMP Flex 350 machines now on order. Lee Zachman, President of rms Company, explained, “Our customers require products that can only be manufactured with additive technology, and we’ve made the investments necessary to support them. 3D Systems’ application engineers collaborated with us to design and optimise workflows and ensure a smooth integration of the equipment.”
Interbody fusion devices, a type of spinal implant, produced on the DMP Flex 350 platform (Courtesy 3D Systems)
“As a result, we’ve been able to increase capacity through new applications and generate new sources of income. We see continued growth in the metals additive space and are committed to this technology,” he concluded.
GF Precicast SA, Novazzano, Switzerland, a Georg Fischer company and provider of technology for the global aerospace and industrial gas turbine markets, is said to have integrated 3D Systems’ metal Additive Manufacturing platform as an efficient, cost-effective alternative to the investment casting of superalloys. The company currently employs 3D Systems’ DMP Factory 500 and DMP Factory 350.
Paolo Gennaro, managing director, GF Precicast Additive SA, stated, “GF Precicast was an early adopter of the DMP Factory 500. We’ve seen great success incorporating this system into our production workflow to produce structural components. We’re in the process of certifying these components produced with additive technology, using super alloys that are able to improve performance while reducing costs.”
“3D Systems is expanding its production workflow solutions use case by use case, through our collaboration with global manufacturers,” added Vyomesh Joshi, president and chief executive officer, 3D Systems. “Our unique ability to apply software, hardware, materials and services, specifically tuned for key verticals such as medical device design and manufacturing, aerospace and defence, and consumer goods is helping our customers achieve greater productivity, durability, and repeatability and lower their total cost of operation.”
