ROCK HILL, S.C. and
SCHAFFHAUSEN, Switzerland,
Sept. 10, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- 3D
Systems (NYSE: DDD) and Georg Fischer AG's Division (FI/N:SIX Swiss
Ex) GF Machining Solutions today announced their first joint
solution, the DMP Factory 500 a scalable manufacturing system
designed to transform metal manufacturing through simplified
workflows to build higher quality seamless metal parts up to 500 mm
x 500 mm x 500 mm with lower total cost of operation.
The DMP Factory 500 is a customizable solution comprised of five
function-specific modules:
- Printer Module (PTM): designed to withstand the rigors
of 24/7 production cycles enabling maximum printer uptime and
output.
- Removable Print Module (RPM): sealed module for powder
and part transport between printer, powder, and transport modules
featuring a vacuum chamber to ensure the lowest O2
content enabling high quality 3D printed metal parts. Powder waste
is eliminated, as the vacuum chamber guarantees consistent high
material quality, sufficient to be re-used to depletion.
- Powder Management Module (PMM): efficiently de-powders
parts on build platforms, automatically recycles unused powder
materials, and prepares the RPM for the next build.
- Transport Module (TRM): enables efficient
movement of the RPMs between printer and powder modules – reducing
production time.
- Parking Module (PAM): provides interim storage of RPMs
in an inert environment until ready for further progression in the
workflow (e.g., stores a fully prepared RPM for its next print job
while the PTM is finishing the previous print job).
The modular design of the DMP Factory 500 enables continuous
function of all metal 3D printing and powder management modules to
maximize uptime, throughput and operational value. The ability for
a manufacturer to create a custom solution - matching the number
and type of modules required for their production workflow - helps
maximize their investment, while the integrated automation
minimizes manual processes to reduce total cost of operation. In
addition, the DMP Factory 500 system includes seamless data
connectivity with all major ERP systems to facilitate supply chain
optimization.
The robust additive manufacturing platform is integrated with GF
Machining Solutions' System 3R referencing and clamping system.
Zero point clamping enables optimal positioning of the build plate,
facilitating a quick transition from the 3D printer to
post-processing steps. This integrated feature reduces set-up times
and provides enhanced flexibility by quickly transitioning the
build plate from the additive process and sending it downstream for
post-processing, saving significant time and money.
"This partnership joins two industry leaders in additive and
subtractive manufacturing to deliver a solution that will change
production manufacturing environments," said Pascal Boillat, president, GF Machining
Solutions. "The blending of GF Machining Solutions' precision
machining expertise with 3D Systems' standard-setting additive
manufacturing technologies will ultimately redefine metal parts
production."
Automation of the additive manufacturing process is a top
priority of this solution, and the companies are focused on
developing solutions to seamlessly integrate additive manufacturing
technology into the complete manufacturing process chain. To
facilitate this, GF Machining Solutions has filed a patent
application for a new carrier concept. This flexible solution
allows the user to position and locate build plates on the
Removable Print Module and provides links to automated conventional
machining processes. This concept will contribute significantly to
increased automation possibilities and reduction of build plates
costs.
The DMP Factory 500 Solution is complemented by integrated
software including 3D Systems' 3DXpert™ to manage the 3D printing
workflow from design to manufacture. Additionally, DMP Monitoring
facilitates real-time process monitoring to enable informed
decisions on product quality.
Combining 3D Systems' and GF Machining Solutions' sales and
support networks, DMP Factory 500 customers will have access to a
distribution network operating in more than 50 countries. In
addition to local technical support, customers will have access to
metals manufacturing applications experts at Customer Innovation
Centers (CICs) in Leuven, Belgium;
Denver, Colorado and Stabio,
Switzerland. Customers will be
able to collaborate with application engineers in these locations
to optimize their DMP Factory 500 system to meet their unique
business needs.
"The DMP Factory 500 is transforming and redefining how
manufacturing gets done," said Vyomesh
Joshi, president and chief executive officer, 3D Systems.
"Through our partnership with GF Machining Solutions, manufacturers
will have a solution that combines additive and subtractive
manufacturing and provides a simplified workflow. As manufacturing
continues to advance, customers will start to expect high quality,
large part production with significantly reduced total cost of
operation, and with the DMP Factory 500, that's exactly what
they'll get."
The companies are debuting this first combined solution in
conjunction with IMTS 2018 this week in Chicago (3D Systems Booth#431608, GF Machining
Solutions Booth #338754).
Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements made in
this release that are not statements of historical or current facts
are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private
Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking
statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other
factors that may cause the actual results, performance or
achievements of the company to be materially different from
historical results or from any future results or projections
expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. In many
cases, forward looking statements can be identified by terms such
as "believes," "belief," "expects," "may," "will," "estimates,"
"intends," "anticipates" or "plans" or the negative of these terms
or other comparable terminology. Forward-looking statements are
based upon management's beliefs, assumptions and current
expectations and may include comments as to the company's beliefs
and expectations as to future events and trends affecting its
business and are necessarily subject to uncertainties, many of
which are outside the control of the company. The factors described
under the headings "Forward-Looking Statements" and "Risk Factors"
in the company's periodic filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, as well as other factors, could cause actual results to
differ materially from those reflected or predicted in
forward-looking statements. Although management believes that the
expectations reflected in the forward-looking statements are
reasonable, forward-looking statements are not, and should not be
relied upon as a guarantee of future performance or results, nor
will they necessarily prove to be accurate indications of the times
at which such performance or results will be achieved. The
forward-looking statements included are made only as the date of
the statement. 3D Systems undertakes no obligation to update or
review any forward-looking statements made by management or on its
behalf, whether as a result of future developments, subsequent
events or circumstances or otherwise.
About 3D Systems
3D Systems is the originator of 3D
printing and an innovator of future 3D solutions. It has spent its
30-year history enabling professionals and companies to optimize
their designs, transform their workflows, bring groundbreaking
products to market and drive new business models. This is achieved
with the Company's best of breed digital manufacturing ecosystem.
It's comprised of plastic and metal 3D printers, print materials,
on demand manufacturing services and end-to-end manufacturing
software solutions. Combinations of these products and services
address a variety of advanced applications- ranging from Aerospace,
Automotive, and Consumer Goods to Medical, Dental, and Jewelry. For
example, 3D Systems' precision healthcare capabilities include
simulation, Virtual Surgical Planning, and printing of medical and
dental devices as well as patient-specific surgical
instruments. More information on the company is available
at www.3dsystems.com.
About GF Machining Solutions
GF Machining Solutions is
the world's leading provider of machines, diverse technical
solutions and services not only to the tool and mold making
industry but also to manufacturers of precision components. The
portfolio ranges from electrical discharge machines, high-speed and
high-performance Milling machines—including clamping and
palletization systems, 3D Laser surface texturing machines and
Spindles—to solutions for Tooling and Automation, services, spare
parts, expendable parts, consumables and Digitalization solutions.
GF Machining Solutions is a globally acting Division of the Georg
Fischer Group (Switzerland) and
maintains a presence on 50 sites worldwide within its own
organization. Its 3,255 employees generated sales of CHF 992 million in 2017. More information can be
found at www.gfms.com.
View original content with
multimedia:http://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/3d-systems-and-gf-machining-solutions-announce-dmp-factory-500---integrating-the-best-of-additive-and-subtractive-to-transform-manufacturing-300708474.html
SOURCE 3D Systems