3D Systems Enhances Production Workflow Solutions with Nokia, rms Company and GF Precicast 

3D Systems announces three global manufacturing companies—Nokia, rms Company and GF Precicast—have integrated its additive manufacturing solutions into their production workflows. Through the integration of 3D Systems’ Figure 4 or DMP platforms, these manufacturers are able to achieve design freedom, increase agility, scale production and improve overall total cost of operations.

Nokia has added 3D Systems’ Figure 4 Standalone to its “Factory in a Box” mobile manufacturing solution. rms Company, supplier to medical device manufacturers worldwide, has expanded use of 3D Systems’ DMP platforms to apply metal additive manufacturing to new applications. GF Precicast, advanced technology provider for the global aerospace and industrial gas turbine (IGT) markets, has integrated 3D Systems’ metal additive manufacturing platform as an alternative to investment casting of super alloys. 

“3D Systems is expanding its production workflow solutions use case by use case, through our collaboration with global manufacturers,” says Vyomesh Joshi, president and chief executive officer, 3D Systems. “Our unique ability to apply software, hardware, materials and services, specifically tuned for key verticals such as medical device design and manufacturing, aerospace and defense, and consumer goods is helping our customers achieve greater productivity, durability and repeatability and lower their total cost of operation.”

At Hannover Messe 2019, opening in Hannover, Germany, 3D Systems is showcasing its Figure 4 Standalone plastic 3D printer as a new technology to be integrated in Nokia’s “factory in a box.” The integration of additive manufacturing alongside augmented reality/virtual reality (AR/VR) and robotics, all powered by Nokia private 4G / 5G connectivity, results in a semi-automated production workflow. 

“After the positive feedback we received for our factory in a box concept last year, it was important to reach a new level with version 2.0,” says Grant Marshall, VP supply network & engineering, Nokia. “We did so in terms of connectivity, because factory in a box 2.0 is integrated into the Nokia Worldwide IoT Network Grid and has Nokia Digital Automation Cloud on board. 3D Systems’ Figure 4 Standalone was an obvious choice because of its high throughput and six sigma repeatability.”

Three years ago rms purchased its first 3D Systems ProX DMP 320 metal 3D printer. Since then, rms has acquired 11 more ProX DMP 320 printers with two DMP Flex 350 printers on order. 

“We made the decision to integrate metal additive manufacturing into our service offering,” says Lee Zachman, president, rms Company. “Our customers require products that can only be manufactured with additive technology, and we’ve made the investments necessary to support them.”   

GF Precicast uses metal additive manufacturing—specifically 3D Systems’ DMP Factory 500 and DMP Factory 350—as a cost-effective alternative to investment casting of super alloys. 

“GF Precicast was an early adopter of the DMP Factory 500,” says Paolo Gennaro, managing director, GF Precicast Additive SA. “We’re in the process of certifying these components produced with additive technology, using super alloys that are able to improve performance while reducing costs.”

3D Systems’ Solutions at AMUG 2019 and Hannover Messe 2019

3D Systems is showcasing its portfolio of end-to-end additive manufacturing solutions this week at both the Additive Manufacturing User Group (AMUG) 2019 (March 31–April 4, Chicago, IL, booth D16) as well as Hannover Messe 2019 (April 1–5, Hannover, Germany, hall 6, booth K01). 

At AMUG, attendees can hear from rms Company and GF Precicast about how they are scaling their businesses with 3D Systems’ metal additive manufacturing solutions. Additionally, 3D Systems’ president and CEO, Vyomesh Joshi will lead a session with Chuck Hull, 3D Systems’ co-founder and CTO, about how AM is transforming manufacturing. The company’s application and product development engineers will also lead several sessions in the Training Lab, sharing about silicone part production though eggshell casting, discussing effective quality analysis for metal additive manufacturing, and demonstrating how to optimize metal additive manufacturing for serial production of large parts. 

At Hannover Messe 2019, attendees can view 3D Systems’ portfolio and talk with the company’s experts in hall 6, booth K01. Attendees can also visit the Nokia booth (hall 6, booth H10) to see Figure 4 Standalone in Nokia’s “factory in a box.”

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Sources: Press materials received from the company and additional information gleaned from the company’s website.