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Midlands 3D has launched what it believes to be the most automated polymer 3-D print production facility in operation in the UK today. 3-D Printing, originally synonymous with prototyping and ‘one off’ part production has been undergoing a quiet revolution over the last few years, with the latest production technologies being used increasingly for batch production, in quantities and quality, ready for end-use parts.
The additive manufacturing (AM) specialist have been at the forefront of the industry in responding to this growth, continually investing in the latest tools, machines, and techniques to keep ahead of customer demand in providing 3D print manufacturing as a service.
Earlier this month, Midlands 3D held an Open Day to demonstrate its latest investments and this new facility. More than quadrupling its floor space in the recent move, Midlands 3D took the opportunity to upgrade its fleet of market-leading HP MultiJet Fusion (MJF) printers, adding an automation system to each which enables machines to automatically change their “build unit” once a build is complete, enabling another build to begin within minutes. Utilising these technologies enables the machines to run continuously, dramatically increasing overall efficiency, lowering operating costs and lead times for large print runs.
François Minec, vice president and global head of sales and business development, HP Additive Manufacturing Solutions, said: “The shift toward industrial production using multi jet fusion is not only real but it is accelerating at pace and what Midlands 3D have built is a timely response to that AM can deliver both lower costs and faster lead times at volume. It is a compelling example of how UK manufacturing is alive and thriving, and why doubling down on automation and end-to-end capability is exactly what this moment demands.”
In addition, Midlands 3D had invested in the automated ‘Powerfuse’ vapour-smoothing system from industry leaders, DyeMansion. A new finishing option alongside deep dye colouring and Polyshot surfacing, this technology gives 3-D printed parts a smoother, stronger, scratch resistant and waterproof finish.
Tipping pointPaul Moloney, Midland 3-D managing director and founder, said: “We saw the tipping point where production manufacturing became a bigger part of the business than prototyping last year. We are running hard to keep up with demand, and the dramatic expansion in both capacity and capability you see demonstrated here is the next big milestone. 3D Print manufacturing is exploding right now, but there are so many industries who are still barely dipping their toes in the water. Being in the heart of the Midlands is a terrific location to support UK manufacturing, and we are just getting started in terms of what is possible with AM going forward.”
Demonstrating one such example at the Open Day, attendees were able to look around two ritish Touring Cars sponsored by Midland 3D and chat to members of the West Surrey Racing team (WSR) in attendance. Working together with Midlands 3D, the racing team has developed over 100 3-D printed parts for use on the cars and in the pit lane, contributing to the competitive edge that saw the WSR team recently crowned the most successful British Touring Car team in history.
Midlands 3D’s customer-centric, consultative approach has made the company a favoured supplier across many industries including consumer goods, automotive, healthcare, marine and unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs).
Mr Moloney concluded: “We love working with customers helping them derive the most value from adopting the technology across their supply chain. We operate an open-door policy and welcome customers to visit our facility, especially now work on our new headquarters is finished.”