Additive manufacturing / 3D printing technology plays an active role in achieving product design innovation and business model innovation. But to produce a qualified product, it is unrealistic to rely solely on 3D printing equipment. An important way to stimulate this technology's potential in manufacturing is to seamlessly integrate it with manufacturing technologies such as machining and EDM. Integrated manufacturing solutions for qualified products.
On August 7, 3D Systems, an additive manufacturing company, and GF AgieCharmilles' GF machining solutions announced their cooperation. The cooperation point between the two parties is to create integrated manufacturing solutions.
Help manufacturing to create competitive advantage with additive manufacturing
GF Machining Solutions is one of the world's leading providers of precision machining and precision part manufacturing solutions. 3D Systems' additive manufacturing expertise will be combined with GF machining solutions in the field of precision machining to provide manufacturing users with integrated manufacturing solutions that combine additive manufacturing and subtractive manufacturing of metal parts. In this way, both partners will help manufacturers redefine the manufacturing environment.
The planned integrated solution proposes a new concept of factory automation, including additive manufacturing part design software, 3D printers, materials and automated material processing, electrical discharge machining (EDM) equipment, milling equipment and other advanced post-processing technologies.
Manufacturing users can use this integrated solution for product redesign, product innovation, or use of additive manufacturing technology to explore new business models and new markets. 3D Systems and GF processing solutions will help customers create significant competitive advantages by reducing production time and reducing overall operating costs.
Providing end-to-end solutions for manufacturing users is the common concern of 3D Systems and GF AgieCharmilles, and also the basis for the two parties to establish a cooperative relationship. In addition, the two companies have operations in many countries around the world. They have local production facilities, research and development centers, and sales networks. This is also the basic condition for the two companies to cooperate.
The GF AgieCharmilles Group consists of three divisions: GF Piping Systems, GF Automotive Products (including foundry) and GF Machining Solutions. The company was founded in 1802 and is headquartered in Switzerland. It has 136 companies in 34 countries, of which 57 are production facilities.
Before establishing a partnership with 3D Systems, GF machining solutions have entered the field of additive manufacturing.
According to 3D Scientific Valley market research, GF Machining Solutions has established a cooperative relationship with German additive manufacturing company EOS. In 2015, the two sides decided to focus their cooperation on the mold industry. The cooperation between the two parties includes two aspects. On the one hand, EOS selects AM S 290 Tooling for laser fused metal 3D printing equipment for GF. On the other hand, it is a cooperation in engineering capabilities, that is, jointly providing integrated mold manufacturing solutions and manufacturing belts. Injection mold for conformal cooling channels.
The integrated mold manufacturing solution created by EOS and GF processing solutions integrates the 3D printing technology of mold inserts into the complete mold manufacturing process, making the metal 3D printing technology and GF's wire cutting electrical discharge machining equipment, heat treatment process, and milling processing The integration of equipment and laser surface texture processing technology enables 3D printed molds to obtain better performance, and ultimately enables mold users to produce high-quality injection products.
3D printed mold inserts manufactured by GF Machining Solutions
Judging from the cooperation announced by 3D Systems and GF AgieCharmilles, the current cooperation between the two parties is in terms of engineering capabilities / manufacturing solutions. What specific products or industries will the integrated manufacturing solutions of the two parties target in the future? Upon landing, 3D Science Valley will continue to pay attention.