1-to-1 increased speed and capacity in 3D printing

High-tech company invests approximately €1.5 million in the further expansion of the machinery park in 3D printing. (Photo: Darko Todorovic)

With the latest beam system from DyeMansion, the 3D printing production process can be significantly accelerated once again. (Photo: DyeMansion)

Philipp Schelling, Production Manager in the SLS 3D Printing Process, is pleased with increased efficiency and flexibility in production. (Photo: Darko Todorovic)

1zu1 always uses the latest and most powerful 3D printing systems as a pilot customer and development partner of EOS. (Photo: Darko Todorovic)

3D printing for industrial mass production of up to 50,000 components: 1zu1 relies on the latest technologies to increase efficiency and capacity. The high-tech company is investing around 1.5 million euros in a fully automated blasting system, another coloring machine, and the third laser sintering large system. The new machines and the time savings in post-processing increase production capacity by one-third.

1zu1 continues its growth trajectory in 3D printing: With three new systems, the high-tech company increases production capacity by over 30 percent and relieves staff. Around 1.5 million euros are invested by 1zu1 in optimizing the machinery park through the latest technology. In addition to the third high-performance EOS P500 system and the second coloring system, the 3D printing specialist replaces manual powder removal with an automated process.

1zu1 uses the recently available "Powershot Performance" blasting system for powder removal after manufacturing parts via 3D printing. The most efficient system on the market reduces work time per order by up to 20 percent. With this, 1zu1 takes the next step toward industrial serial production in 3D printing. "We can produce up to 50,000 highly precise, complex, and individually customizable parts in just a few days for a variety of applications. 3D printing is already a lucrative alternative today with increasing quality, high flexibility, and without tool costs, and is also perfect for bridging to large series," explains Wolfgang Humml, managing director of 1zu1.

Efficiency increase through automation

The 55-liter workspace of the state-of-the-art blasting system holds around 10 kilograms of parts. This corresponds to about 1,200 plastic-appropriate designed components with a maximum edge length of 30 millimeters or nearly one build volume of the powerful Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) systems from 1zu1. Cycle times of 3 to 15 minutes per work step ensure massive time savings in post-processing. The simple control, monitoring, and configuration of process parameters via touchscreen increase flexibility and ensure consistent quality of the parts.

"The optimization saves us up to four hours of manual work per day, speeds up the production cycle, and thus opens up additional manufacturing potentials," reports Philipp Schelling, production manager in the SLS 3D printing process. With the investment in the third powerful laser sintering system EOS P500 and a second coloring system, 1zu1 increases its production capacity in 3D printing by one-third. The new machines also create two new jobs.

Technological advantage

The world's fastest build rate, the most precise 3D printing technology for delicate miniature components, quality assurance via computed tomography, chemical smoothing processes, and now the most efficient blasting process: 1zu1, as a 3D printing provider, relies on the highest quality and technological advantage, enabling the production of series components. "Developments in 3D printing are enormous. We want to harness the full potential, are always looking for innovations, expand our material portfolio, and thus give our customers a competitive edge," emphasizes 1zu1 innovation manager Markus Schrittwieser.