CASE STUDY: How to increase production efficiency thanks to additive technologies?

The devices of the Spanish manufacturer BCN3D Technologies are used in various fields – industry, medicine or the production of utility items. Tensabelt was among the companies that decided to implement 3D BCN3D printers. The involvement of 3D printing technology in production processes has allowed the company to completely change its current workflow, which translated into real savings.

Tensabelt is a production company operating in the queue management industry. However, this has nothing to do with queuing processes or production orders, and is associated with “tailings”, which we often see (or are part of) at the cinema, theater or airport. Tensabelt deals with the production of railings, traffic cones and tapes, and uses 3D printed tools on BCN3D devices to manufacture them.

More specifically, the company needed a tool that would allow them to cost-effectively manufacture custom tools that would ensure high performance in manufacturing processes (e.g. templates for making the right holes in details). As with many companies, initially Tensabelt specialists used metal components whose production was outsourced to external suppliers, which was associated not only with high costs, but also long delivery times. Even a waiting period of several weeks meant that specialists from the company began to look for alternatives.

The use of 3D printing allowed the company to increase production efficiency. The tools necessary for the proper execution of production processes began to be made with the help of the BNC3D Sigma X 3D printer. The company, having its own device, can optimize the elements so that they are ideally suited to everyday tasks. It also eliminated the long waiting time for the item, but also minimized the costs resulting from the resignation of external company services.

Below is a list of production costs for individual elements, depending on the technology and type of production (outsourced or implemented in the enterprise).

According to production manager Clara Bazán, the 3D printing method allowed them greater production flexibility. One-time production of elements by additive methods is much cheaper and faster than in the case of classic production methods. At the same time, the purchase of a 3D printer was a milestone in the company’s development and allowed engineers not only to take on new challenges, but also enabled them to much easier optimization and continuous improvement of their 3D prints.

Source: www.centrumdruku3d.pl