Global energy services company Shawcor uses a Markforged Mark Two 3D printer in the production of its new project. By using 3D printing, Shawcor was able to reduce the turnaround time required to produce parts and reduce costs. As a result, the company said it saved 1.6 million Canadian dollars (about 1.2 million U.S. dollars) by replacing traditional processes with 3D printing.
The project mainly develops tools and fixtures for picking and placing machines. Shawcor's senior mechanical designer Phil Minors said, "Without a sander handling machine, Shawcor would lose about $ 1.6 million in one year."
Continuous carbon fiber 3D printing reduces Shawcor's costs
Shawcor specializes in products and services for the pipeline and pipeline services sector in the oil and gas, petrochemical and industrial markets. Through its proprietary products, Shawcor aims to help maintain the smooth running of construction projects, namely maintenance of connection systems, pipeline coatings, integrity management and oilfield solutions.
The company's most recent project, handled by Shawcor's Composite Production Systems division, required moving objects weighing between 115 and 230 pounds. Loading and unloading is too heavy for one person, and the team needs a custom machine to handle it.
To overcome the cost hurdles of developing this machine, Shawcor adopted Markforged Mark Two, a continuous carbon fiber 3D printer.
Using the system, Shawcor was able to produce the custom parts needed to make the machine, saving $ 27,000 in the process by replacing aluminum and metal plates with 3D printed parts.
In total, Shawcor used Markforged technology to 3D print 53 unique parts, 45% of which were reinforced with Kevlar, HSHT glass fiber or carbon fiber to increase rigidity and service life.
Minors added: "We have completely eliminated the three to six weeks of conversion time required to replace parts."
After this initial project, Mark Two is now used by the team to prototype, test, and iterate new designs.