Categories
Manufacturing

Reduce 3D Printing Iterations, Print Times, And Material Usage

Dynamism, a leader in 3D printing solutions, announced their expansion into Industry 4.0 software with the addition of Teton Simulation’s SmartSlice, a Cura Slicing Software plugin that uses cloud-based Finite Element Analysis to optimize print parameters in order to create parts that meet performance requirements while reducing printing times and material usage. “As a leading provider of 3D printing solutions, it is important that we provide end-to-end solutions for professionals”, CEO Douglas Krone said, “this includes 3D scanners, materials, coaching from 3D printing specialists, and now software.”

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Why businesses need Smart Slice – Less iterations, faster prints, and material savings.

When a part is 3D printed, there is a large amount of uncertainty in knowing if the part will perform as intended under end-use conditions. This leads to numerous build and break iterations resulting in excessive print times and wasted material. At the end of the day, this iterative process degrades two of the key advantages of 3D printing: reduced lead times and reduced waste. Combined with 3D printing’s recent massive growth in end-use applications, Smart Slice is poised to become an important solution for businesses wanting to increase their bottom line through applied 3D printing. 

“Our SmartSlice technology was built from the ground up to give 3D printer operators near instant feedback on the viability of their project. There is simply no other solution in the industry that can provide lightning-fast, accurate feedback on the ‘as printed’ state of a part. Plus, our optimization feature takes the guesswork out of determining the right slicing parameters. We do all the work, so the user doesn’t have to. All of this capability is provided within the slicer making it very easy to use.” says Mike Kmetz – CEO at Teton Simulation Software.

Who Can Benefit?

If you are using 3D printing for end-use parts, jigs and fixtures, concept validation, and/or manufacturing, SmartSlice’s part optimization is for you. Benefits are measured in days, material costs, and valuable engineering time both from failed iterations and straight print times for production parts. For example, in a test 3D printing a production run of 50 moderately sized levers, SmartSlice’s optimization was able to save 3.15 days in total print time per run while saving nearly 1kg of filament, all while delivering a part that met its performance requirements. For users unable to utilize cloud-based functionality due to IT limitations, local options are also available.

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Multiple optimization parameters allow end-users to ensure their part meets requirements, ending the build, break, iterate cycle inherent in mechanical 3D Printing.

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View our recorded webinar from March 11th, 2021 including a live demonstration of the software features and BASF case studies.

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“Teton's Smart Slice plugin brings engineering grade part simulation to Ultimaker Cura users. Using the integration options of our open and pluggable platform it will make sure parts still meet their engineering criteria, but need less material and therefore saving valuable time and costs. The cooperation with Teton and the integration of their innovative solution are a prime example of how we will be continuously adding value for our professional customers.” Paul Heijmans – Senior VP Software at Ultimaker.

Categories
3D Printing Manufacturing

Creating An Inventory Of Digital Parts

Maintaining an inventory of indirect machine materials associated with manufacturing and production can be essential to business continuity. Insert the “Take One, Make One” (TOMO) model, a new style of inventory management that leverages additive manufacturing and a digitized inventory of high wear-and-tear items to reduce physical inventory and machine downtime while streamlining parts supply.

Created by Azoth, a Dynamism customer and a member of the EWIE Group of Companies (EGC), TOMO transforms physical inventory into digital inventory that can be manufactured on-demand using 3D printing. Every time a replacement part is pulled from physical inventory and deployed for use, another is printed and stored for the next time that part needs to be replaced. The result: critical machine spare parts that traditionally would have taken six to twelve weeks to replace are able to be manufactured in hours or days.

I’ve seen processes that can have a hundred parts ready for you quicker than some companies can cut a purchase order, send it to their suppliers, and receive back into their system.

– Cody Cochran, General Manager of Azoth.

What parts are great candidates for the TOMO model? So far jigs and fixtures, gripper fingers, blow-off nozzles, and gage handlers have made ideal parts for moving to a digital inventory, although this is just the start. The TOMO model has much to be explored. Like traditional manufacturing tools, each 3D printing technology has unique traits, strengths, and weaknesses that make it ideal for different applications. Understanding additive manufacturing technologies and part requirements is one of the most significant hurdles to implementing TOMO. This is where Dynamism comes in, with a large selection and deep understanding of the various additive manufacturing technologies. For help selecting the right 3D printing technology, contact us here.

Categories
Automotive Manufacturing

Ford Uses Large Format Printing to Reduce Costs and Lead Times

Ford Uses 3D Printing to Cut Costs and Lead Times

Learn how Ford Motor Company adopted the Large Format Bigrep One 3D Printer to reduce lead times, cut costs, and increase productivity during their design and manufacturing cycles. In this case study, you will learn how Ford leveraged 3D printing to:

  • Reduce lead time on traditionally manufactured parts by as much as 94%
  • Implement the use of long-lasting jigs and fixtures
  • Reduce turn around time with cost-effective prototyping
  • Ensure quality assurance for production components

Categories
Automotive Manufacturing

Create 3D Printed Molds for Carbon Fiber Parts

Tutorial: How to 3D Print Molds for Carbon Fiber Parts

Save time and money by producing Carbon Fiber parts directly from 3D printed molds. Learn how to create strong beautiful components at a fraction of the cost and with less labor cost. In this tutorial you will learn:

  • How to use a 3d printer to directly print a mold suitable for ambient temperature processing.
  • Techniques to perform a simple hand layup in carbon fiber.
  • How to coat the finished part to provide a perfect cosmetic finish.

Categories
Automotive Manufacturing

Tutorial: Creating Carbon Fiber Molds From 3D Printed Patterns

Free Tutorial

How To Create Carbon Fiber Molds From 3D Printed Patterns

Learn how to create production-ready carbon fiber molds from 3D printed patterns. This tutorial covers print settings and materials, carbon fiber materials and hardware, and in-depth, step-by-step instructions including:

  • How to use a 3D printer to create a pattern and prepare for mold making
  • How to create a mold from a 3D printed patterns using epoxy
  • How to use your mold to make a prepreg carbon fiber part