7 Ways To Integrate Additive Manufacturing Into Your Business
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Step 1 - identify your problem
Do you have a part that has to weigh less but maintain it's strength? Or perhaps your route to market is being hampered by costly tooling and high upfront costs? Are your competitors innovating quicker than you and you need to change tack?
Whatever the problem may be that your existing manufacturing or more traditional methods cannot solve, knowing exactly what the problem is will help you to find the right additive manufacturing partner and solution for your business.
CAMS
A CAM holds the sail off the mast and works with the luff curve to create shape in the sail allowing the sail to tack and gybe better.The original manufacturing method for CAMS did not allow for any adjustment to the lengths, which in turn meant that the sails could not be trimmed correctly.
Sail designers also wanted the opportunity for the CAMS they sold to be bespoke to their brand. 3D printing enabled the sail manufacturers to do just this with no costly upfront costs and a chance to brand their CAMS.
AMufacture were the first choice when searching for partners as our experience in the marine industry is unrivaled. CAMS 3D printed by AMufacture went on to win 4 World titles, 5 European Championships and countless National titles.Step 2 - research 3D printing partners
Do you want to work with a local company or happy to go national or global? Who does the company already partner with and what do their existing customers have to say? Whatever your ideals be sure to research your first or perhaps your next 3D printing partner. At AMufacture Innovation always comes first. If you are a little skeptical of 3D printing and unsure as to whether it can actually help your business, be reassured that we will only ever suggest the right solution for you.
We are always happy to have an informal chat with you to talk through how we work, what our capabilities are and recommend how you should proceed. We want you to trust in us so that you can trust in additive manufacturing.
Read some more of our blogs or find out more about our team and we also have a podcast that you can listen to.
OUR CAPABILITIES
AMufacture has a range of 3D printing technologies that we use. Whether this be SLS or MJF or our generative design service, we will speak to you to understand your needs before suggesting what the right additive manufacturing technology for you is.
The main industries we work in are:- Marine
- Automotive
- Construction
- Defence
- Renewable energy
- Oil & Gas
- Aerospace
- Medical
Step 3 - prototype
Start small. If you want to ease in to additive manufacturing without committing to an end to end production cycle, utilise the advantages of rapid prototyping or 3D printed tooling. Using 3D printing to make your prototype is very likely to be cheaper than your current process and will allow for multiple iterations without exceeding your budget. Alternatively you might want to try 3D printing a tool (composite tooling).
AMufacture specialises in composite tooling up to 12x3x2m in size out of three main materials ABS-CF, PSU-CF and PESU-CF. Each material has increasing properties of thermal resistance and coefficient of expansion allowing us to help choose the right material for your project.
THE EAR PROTECTOR
Innovating quickly to meet demand for PPE accessories during the COVID-19 pandemic, AMufacture used our in house rapid prototyping capabilities to produce a small run of ear protectors to be tested in the field.
Given the volume that was needed, the ear protectors were injection moulded, as the startup costs would be easily recouped. We knew that this was the best solution for our customers, but we were able to showcase how effective 3D printing was in prototyping. A multi-manufacturing approach is sometimes best.Step 4 - test
When you receive your 3D printed part/s this is your opportunity to test it and see if they live up to your expectations, requirements and quality.
At this stage as your partner we will want your feedback on the 3D printing service you have received so far and then we can guide you through the next steps.
You may decide that using 3D printing for prototyping or a one off part/s is as far as you want to integrate additive manufacturing into your business, either way we will be with you to make sure you are satisfied with the process.
TESTING TO BREAK RECORDS
AMufacture were approached to be part of a Transatlantic record attempt for a novel record of pedaling across the Atlantic in a boat. Due to the unique nature of the project 3D printing was chosen as the manufacturing process for development and potentially the final end parts. 3D printing allowed the team to turnaround design iterations quickly. Having now chosen a final design and testing the parts in the "real world" the final units that will cross the Atlantic are now in production by AMufacture via 3D printing!
Step 5 - integrate further
Where else can additive manufacturing fit in to innovate your production cycle? If you have been working with a 3D printing partner like AMufacture then this is their opportunity to scan your business and identify other areas where you can use additive manufacturing.
Perhaps this is the time to start a new project with 3D printing being your manufacturing choice from the start or do you want to introduce generative design in to your production process?. However you decide to move forward you should be able to rely on your additive manufacturing partner to help you.
SHAPE OPTIMISATION AND GENERATIVE DESIGN
AMufacture was approached by one of our existing clients to attempt to reduce weight and cost of an existing production part. Using our generative design and shape optimisation service we analysed the 3D printed part and decided to use shape optimisation.
The result was a part with 30% weight reduction and 15% cost reduction. AMufacture is not just a 3D printing company we work with you to get you the optimum design and production process for all your parts.Step 6 - repeat
Once you have the right formula and the right additive manufacturing processes in place simply repeat! You should also be utilising your additive manufacturing partner's expertise in developing and bringing to the market new technology.
Do you remember step 2 when we talked about research? This is another really important question "is my 3D printing partner constantly innovating too?".
AMUCOAT
In 2020 we saw a huge gap in the market for a robust and yet simple post processing technology for 3D printed parts with colour options. We quickly developed our innovative proprietary technology - AMuCoat.
Our customers are now able to use AMufacture from conception through to completion a complete end to end process. To find out more about AMuCoat click here.
Step 7 - scalability
It is really important to work with a company who can scale when you need to. There is the perception that 3D printing is for small run parts but the technology is advancing rapidly and industrial 3D printing is very much here.
AMufacture can accomodate both small scale and large scale production, and look forward to scaling with our customers and guiding our customers through their additive manufacturing journey as they integrate AM into their business.
WORK WITH US
It is really easy to work with us. Call us or send us an email and we can have an informal chat about our services and how we can work with your business and introduce additive manufacturing direct to your production cycle and prototyping processes
Or you can simply upload a file today and get an instant quote via our online 3D printing instant quote service and learn more about our materials and prices.
