Brose sets new standards in 3D printing
A high number of lasers, high performance and more installation space: Brose benefits from these advantages with its unique high-performance printer and raises its additive series production to a new level.
Our Coburg plant recently acquired a metal 3D printer that is unique in Germany. With this machine, we are taking additive manufacturing in our family-owned company to a new level – with the aim of making our 3D series production even more productive, flexible and economical. The unique machine was developed by the 3D printing team led by Eric Fritzsche together with our partner Farsoon Technologies.
The innovative metal 3D printer has an extended installation space, which means that large components can now be produced in one piece without subsequent joining processes. The number of pieces can be significantly increased for more compact components. The 3D printer also has increased laser power – a milestone for volume and mass production in the mobility sector. Especially for efficient 3D series production, which has long been a reality in other industries such as medical technology.
Success factors in 3D printing at BroseIn recent years, we have consistently developed our additive manufacturing along three key factors:
- Design: our components are specifically developed and designed for 3D printing. We also use additive processes in the development of new products in order to achieve significant time and cost advantages with rapid prototyping.
- Material: To ensure a high level of comparability with later series products right from the prototyping stage, we rely on original materials that are also used in tool-based processes. In series production with the new metal 3D printer, we rely on a unique selling point: we use recycled steel powder from unmixed punching waste from our pressing plants. By returning this waste to the production process, we are making an important contribution to the circular economy and promoting sustainable production.
- System Technology: Larger installation spaces and more powerful machines increase the output of parts per cycle. Our high-performance printer, the only one of its kind in Germany, offers a high number of lasers with increased power and more space for our printed parts.
Innovation for the series production of the future
With the milestones we have achieved in material and system development, we are consistently driving forward the additive series production of automotive components,
says Eric Fritzsche. 3D printing offers us an economical and flexible alternative to conventional processes, especially for components with many variants or complex geometries that cause high tool costs in small quantities.
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