March 2019

www.smartmachinesandfactories.com March 2019 | 23 | | STRATEGIES | thickness of just 12 micrometres. Surfaces are smooth and have a level of precision almost equal to that of SLA printers. With MJP printers it is also possible to print support structures from a wax which can easily be melted out of a printed part in an oven. Digital moulding and DLP Digital moulding is an alternative to injection moulding. 3D Systems’ Figure 4 technology is used in this context. Digital moulding is scalable and can be integrated in automated production lines. It is possible to manufacture large- and small-volume series and to switch to different parts quickly during production. This allows manufacturers to repeat a design quickly. Figure 4 technology comprises an arrangement of extremely fast membrane-micro digital light printing (DLP) printers. This allows the efficient use of parallel manufacturing processes. Each of printer makes physical objects at an extremely high speed. Depending on the shape and material, a 3D object can be drawn out of a 2D base at a millimetre per minute. Robot arms guide the parts through each step, and parts can be manufactured continuously. Figure 4 modules are fully enabled for Industry 4.0. Unlike other 3D printing processes, which use photopolymers, Figure 4 offers the option of manufacturing parts from hybrid materials (multi- modal polymerisation). These are robust, long lasting and biocompatible, with high temperature resistance and elastomeric characteristics. This enables application in long-lasting consumables, the automotive industry, aerospace, healthcare and other areas. DMP Direct metal printing (DMP) is an additive manufacturing method that can make metal parts which are more robust, lighter, longer-lasting and give better performance than milled or cast metal parts. The consolidated manufacturing of a single highly complex part reduces costs, and means less installation work, fewer errors and less waste. Having fewer parts also simplifies logistics and supply chain management, as well as reducing product development and production time. More manufacturers are using metal printers for series production, and the need for scalable, modular solutions is growing. A recently launched example of this is the fully scalable DMP Factory 500, a scalable manufacturing system developed joint project by 3D Systems and GF Machining Solutions. By using this system manufacturers will be able to increase their productivity, the quality of their parts and the safety of their processes. The build space of the printer module (500 x 500 x 500 mm) allows the production of large components as well as the simultaneous production of several pieces. An integrated powder management system ensures that the printed parts are uniform and of reproducible quality. Printing in an atmosphere with oxygen at less than 25 ppm allows the highest material quality as well as minimum use of protective gas, reducing TCO. The DMP Factory 500 also requires minimum user involvement. The whole solution is designed for uninterrupted operation and can be configured individually to meet customer needs. 1 Umweltbundesamt, Die Zukunft im Blick: 3D- Druck. Trendbericht zur Abschätzung der Umweltwirkungen [The German Environment Agency, Focus on the future: 3D printing. Trend report for assessing the environmental impacts] (2018), p. 16.