Design for Additive Manufacturing - DfAM

3D printing or additive manufacturing—whatever you call it—we’re here to help!

Exploring 3D printing is exciting. There are hundreds of different options. But which one is best for my specific situation?

In most cases, a conventionally designed part is used to request a quote, and after reviewing the quote, the first reality check sets in. Why is it so expensive? What limitations do I face compared to traditional manufacturing technologies? And does it really justify the effort? This is where Design for Additive Manufacturing—or DfAM for short—can be the solution!

Data suitable for 3D printing

Thinking ahead in production

DfAM—3D printing pays off because it is set to transform all traditional business models. But it is crucial to process meaningful data on the 3D printer. Simply 3D-printing a part that was originally created using conventional methods and using a material that most closely resembles the conventional one often yields no benefit.

Redesigning a part for a specific 3D printing application can quickly yield benefits. And that makes all the difference. By adhering to AM-based design guidelines on the one hand and—on the other hand—generating specific benefits through 3D printing, new doors are opened to expand your manufacturing possibilities; for example, through…

...Advantages of 3D-print-ready design through DfAM

  • the integration of additional functions into the design/construction of the part, the integration of which previously required additional steps to enable the same application
  • the integration of components into one part to reduce assembly time and the costly management of different data in the BOM / ERP
  • the reduction of warehousing and storage costs through 3D printing to order
  • the reduction of tool and set-up costs
  • the customization of your product or the offer of greater flexibility / variety of variants for the respective requirements
  • creating a competitive advantage and improving products and efficiency—not only in terms of weight reduction, but also in terms of temperature, flow characteristics, space savings, etc.

 

Cost savings in assembly and administrative expenses through component and functional integration, and reduced inventory costs through a digital on-demand inventory system, are just a few of the benefits of AM.

Benefits of shared parts analysis

It doesn’t take much to start a redesign project:
  • Together we analyze your parts using data analysis (ERP, PDM) and joint workshops on site and identify the parts with potential for additive manufacturing / 3D printing
  • Together, we will define the KPIs and goals for the redesign. This includes all requirements, such as costs, quality, tolerances, and characteristics.
  • Which suppliers should we consider? Or does it already make sense to set up our own production?
  • Through simulation and optimization, we arrive at the best of all possible designs.
  • Through digital iterations and physical prototypes, we minimize risks prior to the final production of the customer’s part in the specified material and the post-processing stage. This depends heavily on the intended production volume and the selected material.

 

In the end, you will not only receive a new end-user part with a competitive advantage over conventionally manufactured parts, but you will also have gained valuable experience in the field of 3D printing.

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Replace CNC parts with 3D printing.
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