On September 10, 2018, 3D Systems and GF Machining Solutions, a company of GF Georg Fischer AG, announced that they have reached a joint solution collaboration, a scalable manufacturing platform DMP Factory 500, designed to streamline workflow Convert metal manufacturing to create high-quality seamless metal parts at a lower cost, with a forming size of 500 mm x 500 mm x 500 mm.
At the IMTS 2018 in Chicago this week (3D Systems Booth booth 431608, GF Machining Solutions booth 338754), 3D Systems and GF Machining Solutions jointly launched the joint solution DMP Factory 500.
Customizable solution DMP Factory 500, consisting of 5 specific function modules:
Printer Module (PTM): Meets the needs of production around the clock, enabling the printer to maximize its normal operation and output.
Removable Print Module (RPM): A sealed module that transfers powder and parts between the printer module, powder module, and transfer module enables continuous workflow, and a vacuum chamber ensures that the oxygen content is kept to a minimum and maximized throughout the transfer process To a certain extent, the quality of the powder is guaranteed, and high-quality 3D printed metal parts are obtained. Because the quality of the material guaranteed by the vacuum chamber is enough to be reused until it is exhausted, the waste of material is greatly reduced.
Powder Management Module (PMM): It can effectively remove the powder from the part on the molding platform, automatically recover the unused powder and prepare the quick-change printing module RPM for the next printing.
Transport Module (TRM): Helps quick-change print module RPMs move efficiently between printers and powder modules, reducing production time.
Parking Module (PAM): Provides temporary storage of RPMs in an inert environment until it is ready for the next step in the workflow (for example, when a PTM completes the last print job, stores a fully prepared RPM for its next print job ).
The modular design of DMP Factory 500 supports the continuous function of all metal 3D printing and powder management modules to maximize uptime, output and operational value. Manufacturers' ability to create custom solutions that match the number and type of modules required for their production workflows helps maximize investment, while integrated automation minimizes manual processes and reduces overall operating costs. In addition, the DMP Factory 500 system includes seamless data connectivity to all major ERP systems to facilitate supply chain optimization.
The two companies are committed to integrating a robust additive manufacturing platform with GF Machining Solutions' Systems 3R positioning fixtures. The zero positioning fixture supports the optimal positioning of the printing platform and can facilitate the rapid transition of 3d printers to post-processing steps. This integrated feature reduces setup time and increases flexibility by quickly converting the printing platform from the additive manufacturing process to downstream for post-processing, which can save a lot of time and cost.
Pascal Boillat, president of GF Machining Solutions, said: "This partnership is a strong combination of additive manufacturing and subtractive manufacturing in two major industries, which aims to provide solutions that change the manufacturing environment. Precision machining of GF Machining Solutions The combination of technology and 3D Systems' additive manufacturing technology will jointly create a new way of producing metal parts. "
Automating the additive manufacturing process is a top priority for this solution, and the two companies will work to develop solutions that seamlessly integrate additive manufacturing technology across the entire manufacturing process chain. To achieve this, GF Machining Solutions has filed a patent application for a new carrier concept. This flexible solution allows users to position the print platform on a quick-change print module and provides a link to automated routine processing. This concept will greatly help increase the possibility of automation and reduce the cost of the printing platform.
DMP Factory 500 Solution is supported by integrated software including 3D Systems' 3DXpert ™ to manage 3D printing workflows from design to manufacturing. In addition, DMP Monitoring facilitates real-time process monitoring of product quality, which can check product quality.
Combined with the sales and support network of 3D Systems and GF Machining Solutions, DMP Factory 500 customers will have a distribution network operating in more than 50 countries. In addition to local technical support, customers can also seek support from metal manufacturing application specialists at Customer Innovation Centers (CICs) in Leuven, Belgium, Denver, Colorado and Stabio, Switzerland. Customers can collaborate with application engineers in these locations to optimize their DMP Factory 500 to meet their unique business needs.
Vyomesh Joshi, President and CEO of 3D Systems, said: "DMP Factory 500 is changing the way manufacturing operates. By partnering with GF Machining Solutions, manufacturers will have a solution that combines additive and subtractive manufacturing. Solutions and provide customers with a simplified workflow. With the continuous development of the manufacturing industry, customers will start to expect the production of high-quality, large-sized parts, and can greatly reduce the total operating costs. In line with their expectations. "