Video: In Conventional Manufacturing, 3D Printing Is a Solution for Tooling
Tooling for conventional operations doesn't have to made conventionally. Rather than being made through machining, these welding fixtures are now made via 3D printing.
Share
On a visit to a CNC machine shop, Precision Tool Technologies of Brainerd, Minnesota, I had a chance to note how 3D printing is being used as an aid to conventional manufacturing. The Stratasys Fortus 3D printer at Precision Tool is used to simplify the creation and modification of various tools used internally, including this welding fixture.
Transcript
I'm Pete Zelinski with AdditiveManufacturing.media and I’m at Precision Tool Technologies of Brainerd, Minnesota.
3D printing is a solution for tooling. [There are] lots of reasons for that: it's easy; the tool is done at the end of a print cycle; nothing more needs to be done necessarily.
This is a tool for a welding fixture used to make this, which is a device used in making eyeglass lenses. These springs are welded in using this fixture. In the past the fixture was machined. Also not that difficult, but here's the thing: the fixture, this part actually, is subject to change. That means the fixture has to change, and in the past, every time that happened it was a new machining project and more time at the machine tool.
3D printing makes tooling flexible, changeable, discardable. When the design of the product changes, just print a new tool.
Related Content
-
How Does Heat Treating Affect Machining Considerations for a Metal 3D Printed Part?
This picture of part distortion in additive manufacturing illustrates the kind of effects that part design or machining stock allowances need to anticipate.
-
New Zeda Additive Manufacturing Factory in Ohio Will Serve Medical, Military and Aerospace Production
Site providing laser powder bed fusion as well as machining and other postprocessing will open in late 2023, and will employ over 100. Chief technology officer Greg Morris sees economic and personnel advantages of serving different markets from a single AM facility.
-
DMG MORI: Build Plate “Pucks” Cut Postprocessing Time by 80%
For spinal implants and other small 3D printed parts made through laser powder bed fusion, separate clampable units resting within the build plate provide for easy transfer to a CNC lathe.