REQUIRED AND HIGH QUALITY

3D printing small batches

Discover the advantages of tool-free production. With 3D printing small batches, you benefit from needs-based and extremely economical production of small and medium-sized batches.

3D PRINTING AS AN ALTERNATIVE

Advantages of additive small batch production



With a 3D printing small batches production you save extremely expensive investments in a production tool. Because such a tool is not even necessary for this type of series production! You also have the option of personalizing your parts without great effort or of adding identification numbers or markings accompanying production. 3D printing also makes it possible to create complex geometries that cannot be produced using conventional methods. This in turn leads directly to the next advantage of this type of series production: With the help of function integrations, you can manufacture entire assemblies directly as one part. You can save yourself an additional installation effort.

3D printing vs. injection molding

3D printing vs. injection molding



Due to the tool-free production using 3D printing, parts theoretically always cost the same - regardless of the number of pieces. Nevertheless, in addition to the actual printing process, upstream and downstream, mostly manual activities are necessary, which are distributed over several components in the case of higher quantities. This in turn can lead to significant cost reductions in the case of higher quantities in additive manufacturing.

Injection molding tools can quickly cost several 10,000 euros, depending on the complexity of the part. Since the actual production and material costs per component are only a fraction of the previous investment in the tool, the component costs decrease rapidly as the number of pieces increases.

A direct comparison of the two production technologies results in a critical number of pieces, which should be carefully considered which technology is the right one for the application. In our experience, this critical number is often between 500 and 1,000 pieces. However, this value may vary depending on the complexity and nature of the part.

MATCHING PROCEDURES

3D printing technologies for small batches



For high-quality small bathces, the powder-bed-based processes such as HP MJF or SLS are used because, in addition to a higher quality look, they also have balanced mechanical properties. Nevertheless, the FDM process with its numerous materials should not be underestimated. Although the surface quality of this 3D printing technology does not come close to powder-based processes, it sometimes produces the most economical parts.

HP Multi Jet Fusion (HP MJF)

Die jüngste unserer Technologien. Mit ihr lassen sich sehr gut Kleinserien und robuste Funktionsteile herstellen. Die Vorteile dieser Technologie:
  • Isotrope Bauteileigenschaften
  • Druckdichte Materialien
  • Sehr gute Detailtreue
  • Schneller Druckprozess

Selektives Lasersintern (SLS)

Im industriellen Umfeld ist das Selektive Laser Sintering das am häufigsten eingesetzte 3D Druck Verfahren. Es eignet sich hervorragend für Prototypen und Funktionsbauteile. Die Vorteile des SLS Verfahrens:
  • Perfekt für eine nachträgliche Veredelung (Färbung, Oberflächenbehandlung)
  • Temperaturbeständigkeit (PA12, PA2200)
  • Preis/Leistung
  • Z.T. für den Lebensmittelkontakt geeignet

Schmelzschichtung (FDM)

Die günstige Alternative für große Bauteile und Kunststoffteile bei denen die Optik zweitrangig ist. Die Vorteile dieser 3D Druck Technologie:
  • Kurze Lieferzeit für Prototypen (ab 1 Werktag)
  • Auch für große Bauteile (bis zu 1.000mm)
  • Sehr große Materialauswahl
  • Günstige Kleinserien

Contact us - we are open for new projects!

ANSWERS TO MANY QUESTIONS

Interesting facts about 3D printing



You are new to additive manufacturing or 3D printing and want to find out more about basic topics? No problem: You will find numerous explanations and assistance in our knowledge database. With just a few clicks, the database can be sorted into various subject areas, such as "saving costs". Should you still require further and personal advice, please contact us.