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3D print technology allows manufacture of metal products for industrial uses

By Paul Dvorak | May 27, 2014

Integrated 3D Manufacturing (I3DMFG), developer of 3D printing equipment, opened new headquarters in The Dalles, Oregon. The company manufactures complex metal products in a repeatable, reliable manufacturing process serving industrial applications in the wind, aerospace, automotive, and medical markets. I3DMFG is one possiblitiy for small to medium production runs for engineers who may have never dreamed that intricate designs utilizing metals could be manufactured.

A mold built with DMLS shows the complexities possible.  Cooling channels need not be straight lines.

A mold built with DMLS shows the design complexities possible. Cooling channels need not be straight lines.

The process and manufacturing method is for production runs that demand structural integrity as well as complex design requirements. The process delivers complex, high value products with precision and accuracy never achieved before. The company’s technology has an impact not only on manufacturing but also on design philosophy, labor allocation and business strategies.

Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) minimizes waste and cost and presents an opportunity to let manufacturing jobs return to the U.S. “Our vision is that we bring jobs, ingenuity and manufacturing back to the United States,” said Erin Stone, CEO. “Our manufacturing capability lets U.S. companies manufacture their complex parts in a timely and price competitive way. There is less reliance on offshore manufacturing which brings back jobs to the U.S. and protects valuable intellectual property.” The company embraces a “Design is Manufacturing” philosophy which enables the freedom to design products without traditional manufacturing constraints. “If you can dream it, we can make it,” says Stone.

She adds that the process would let wind turbine maintenance crews procure parts that were obsolete. For instance, scanning an old part would provide a 3D CAD model, enough for the process to work.

Designers are free to pursue design parameters where many manufacturing rules can be put aside. The process lets designers produce products with complex geometries. The company’s new headquarters employs five with plans to employ seven by the end of 2014.

 

The company also provides industrial-grade, finished goods production. It has 3D engineering and 3D manufacturing expertise in steel, titanium, and aluminum for the aerospace, clean energy, high technology, high performance automotive, industrial design, medical, and UAV markets. Capabilities include Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS), Ultrasonic Additive Manufacturing (UAM), Wire EDM, 3D Scanning, and 3D Part Design.

Integrated 3D

www.i3dmfg.com 


Filed Under: Components, News
Tagged With: integrated3d
 

About The Author

Paul Dvorak

Comments

  1. Kuldeep says

    June 2, 2014 at 7:28 am

    Hi very good post, got useful information about new technology used for metal products Thank you for the post.

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