HOW 3D PRINTING CAN HELP THE RECOVERY OF WEAKEND INDUSTRIAL SECTOR

The ongoing epidemic is severely disrupting supply chains in Europe and around the world - 3D printing can help quicken the recovery of weakened manufacturing industries.

The long-term disruption of Asian suppliers affects many manufacturers in Europe. Some companies in the electronics or automotive industries have slowed down production or are actively seeking replacements for missing components. But where to find them when the production capacities of local suppliers are full or they simply do not have the required production program? It’s the stuff of headaches for supply chain managers?

This is where 3D printing (additive manufacturing) can offer a suitable alternative to rapidly compensate for the failure of external suppliers of plastic parts. Additive technologies have shifted significantly in the last few years from small desktop 3D printers to large industrial equipment, which can produce thousands of parts per day and compete with more established plastic parts production such as injection molding and CNC machining. 3D printers have become an integral part in the trend of digitalization of information, control and production processes in many companies.

For example, highly productive HP Jet Fusion 3D printers have been installed at Škoda Auto in the Czech Republic for two years and are involved in the rapid development of new cars. In addition to aerospace and medicine, the automotive industry is a key driver for the further uptake of 3D printing, whether it is the production of complex parts or the rapid modification of components for the coming era of electric cars. Almost 1.5 million motor vehicles were produced in the Czech Republic alone last year, and outages in the supply of plastic parts can lead to downtime in assembly plants. But how can 3D printing stack up with proven production methods?

To be sure, injection molding has no competition in terms of high production volume and low unit cost. However, the production of a mold is expensive and, above all, time-consuming, and today’s environment requires rapid changes, sophisticated designs and reduced labour costs when assembling parts. Four years ago, Hewlett Packard launched 3D printers that can deliver hundreds or thousands of complex final components within 24 hours. In the Czech Republic alone, 8 HP devices for serial production of plastic parts are already installed.

3Dees Industries, which represents HP 3D printers in the Czech Republic, is currently recording an increased interest of Czech companies for testing the quality and mechanical properties of prints and, above all, evaluating the costs of introducing 3D printing into serial production. "We are struggling with mistrust. Czech managers often feel that 3D printing is a technology more for play or prototyping, but our result will surprise them" says Ondřej Štefek, the company's managing director. At the same time, he adds, many entrepreneurs perceive the introduction of 3D printing in their production as a necessity if they are to succeed in a competitive world.

Today, industrial 3D printers are part of the digital production ecosystem, which monitors the receipt and pricing of orders, production order preparation, production schedule, equipment operation, sorting and quality control, finishing of printed parts and their subsequent distribution, all from a single online interface. This significantly saves production and logistics costs and allows companies to respond flexibly to fluctuations or sharp increases in demand for plastic parts. Customers do not need to be dependent on fragile or overly long supply chains and can rapidly adjust their production program as required.

The current complex situation can paradoxically help in the faster adoption of new technologies within companies to help secure their current and future parts supply needs.