Stratasys: Transitioning to Production Applications Using AM

Process & System Capabilities

The ability to handle higher volumes of parts is an unmistakable trait of AM production systems together with high quality, reliable and repeatable output. It's about harnessing the power of advanced machinery and technologies to undertake larger-scale projects, ensuring that precision and speed are not compromised. Thus, such systems can weave seamlessly between intricate custom jobs, batch production and extended production runs in ways that traditional manufacturing systems can't.

However, as has always been the case since the origin of additive technologies, no single process fits all requirements. This is why Stratasys has focused on developing and expanding its range of processes and the systems that deliver them to meet the demands of its industrial customers. In this way our P3, industrial FDM and SAF processes cover the broad spectrum of capabilities for production applications of AM addressing the requirements for speed, part volumes, quality output and mechanical properties.

A Holistic Approach

However, and this is really important, improved AM hardware, in isolation, will never make production applications viable. At Stratasys we recognised this early on and as a result we have come at the technologies in a holistic way. This transition to direct production with AM is taking place because the hardware AND the software AND the materials available have all evolved to a level that can deliver comprehensive and competitive production solutions for key applications.

Application performance is a critical issue for end use parts, and it is a driver for the increased growth we are witnessing via the breadth of rapid, validated engineering grade materials that we have added and continue to add to our portfolio.

End-to-End

With AM every phase of the manufacturing process chain, from initial design consultation to final post-processing, can be optimized for efficiency, quality, and cost-effectiveness.

Opportunities for Added Value

It is often the case, when talking to people that we often think about and discuss AM for production in terms of the challenges that we have to overcome to achieve it. Volumes, costs and quality are all important issues, as outlined above, that are frequently raised. However, often overlooked in this conversation are the benefits of integrating AM production strategies and the added value that an AM approach brings.

• Flexibility can be seriously underrated in terms of the value that it can bring to a business. Specifically in this regard, additive technologies do not require production tooling, which can eliminate long lead times and significant cost constraints associated with it and enable a more agile approach. Parts can be produced on-demand which introduces further cost savings on inventory and storage along with greater flexibility.
• Complexity: Additive processes excel and are indeed unique when it comes to producing complex parts. The layer-by-layer nature of AM methods allow for the production of intricate geometries without being limited by what a machine can or cannot carve or drill. This means that complex internal features, lattices, and channels can be produced in a single process. In addition, parts can be optimized for their specific function and can be designed with features that improve performance.
• Customisation: Additive processes are scalable for making custom and mid-volume production economically viable, and higher volume production more efficient than traditional processes. This is enabling growth for mass customization applications.

Vertical Integration into Production

As we continue to evolve the technologies and demonstrate their capabilities as well as highlighting the business benefits and added value that AM processes offer, Stratasys can bear witness to many companies that are keen to position themselves at the forefront of this transition into production that we are going through. Demand for agile, customisable, and efficient production solutions is growing across many sectors, including but not limited to medical, dental, aerospace, energy and transport.

Here are just a few applications that provide testament: