Business View Magazine | March 2020

39 BUSINESS VIEW MAGAZINE MARCH 2020 DIGI TAL MANUFACTUR ING TECHNOLOGI ES : READY TO IMPLEMENT of metal powder. DMLS enables designers to radically rethink part geometry using lightweight components (such as for fuel efficiency). The technology also helps consolidate components to reduce assembly steps or to enhance performance. An excellent example is the proof-of-concept part for a GM seat bracket designed with Autodesk’s Fusion 360 cloud-based generative design software. Using 3D printing, the bracket went from eight welded components to a single part. The redesigned part is 40 percent lighter and 20 percent stronger than the original. “Adoption of the technology is growing rapidly, but we’re all still scratching the surface of this technology’s full capabilities,” notes Glynn Fletcher, President and CCA of EOS North America, an AM industry pioneer. DMLS is just one metal AM solution. Another is wire-based AM, which features a system that resembles a robotic welding cell that offers deposition rates up to 10 kg/hr. To show the speed and versatility of large format AM systems, consider that it traditionally takes a minimum of six weeks to make a mold, and it costs tens of thousands of dollars. With wire-based AM, molds can go from a digital file to actual production in a matter of days compared to weeks or months. If manufacturers do not want to bring AM in house, no problem. Contract services are available from companies such as 3DEO, which focuses on small, complex stainless steel components and has handled order volumes as high as 28,000 parts. “At 3DEO, there are no high up-front costs,” says Matt Sand, President. “We eliminate the cost of what could be a $100,000 mold, have a material performance and cost structure that’s competitive with processes such as metal injection molding, and have the same or better quality.” If a manufacturing solution can be digitized, automated or connected, visitors will learn how to implement it at IMTS 2020, which will showcase a full spectrum of digital and traditional manufacturing technologies.