Elements on Demand, a Dutch 3D printing service supplier, has lately acquired two S1 blasting programs from AM Options to cut back processing time, vitality consumption, and waste. Elements on Demand specializes within the collection manufacturing of finish components and may deal with manufacturing portions flexibly, from 1 to 100,000 models. Immediately, the corporate operates eight industrial 3D printers and produces between 20,000 and 30,000 parts per week.
One of many programs is used for white components, and the opposite for darkish components. “We’ve got considerably extra orders to course of at present, and we’re additionally going through challenges such because the sharp rise in vitality prices,” stated Neil van Es, Founding father of Elements on Demand. “That’s why we have to make our processes extra environment friendly. With the post-processing options from AM Options, we have now reached a brand new degree.”
Up to now, post-processing occurred in different blasting cupboards that additionally had a rotating basket. This required two separate programs: one for cleansing and one for floor ending. Immediately, this course of is automated. After unpacking, the components printed within the powder mattress move instantly by way of the S1 blasting system, which performs each cleansing and floor ending in only one step. This reduces the required time from 45 to only quarter-hour. On the identical time, general vitality consumption is diminished by 15% on account of considerably decrease compressed air demand.
Beforehand, a time-consuming sorting step was essential to take away parts that shouldn’t be given a floor end; this step is now automated. The system makes use of polybeads for blasting, that are extra sturdy and result in considerably higher outcomes. “Up to now, we used glass beads for de-powdering, however they’d a brief service life, so we ended up with much more waste,” stated Neil van Es. “We now go from utilizing one large pack monthly to utilizing one large pack each three months. This protects the surroundings and reduces one other value issue considerably.”
Upfront of the funding, the Elements on Demand crew was allowed to undertake rigorous testing of the S1 programs at AM Options’ know-how Buyer Expertise Centre. “We tried to push the system to its limits. Irrespective of how unclean the components had been, they all the time got here out clear,” stated Neil van Es. “This extraordinarily excessive efficiency, mixed with the wonderful help offered by our native department within the Netherlands, was a key think about our determination.’