The Production Advantages of Using Large 3D Print Machine for Oversized Parts

Manufacturing oversized parts traditionally is difficult as well as cost-consuming, the high cost of tooling and long lead-time can be an issue, and logistics for assembly often add unnecessary steps and problems. Large-format 3D printing is an alternative solution for these difficult, oversized part applications. Dowell 3D has been committed to providing efficient, flexible, and affordable industrial 3D printing since 2014. With our FDM and FGF (Fused Granule Fabrication) 3D printing technologies and our expertise in materials, supported by our intuitive software, manufacturers are able to leverage numerous benefits when creating oversized parts. Below are just some of the many production advantages.

Elimination of Assembly and Simplified Workflows

The production advantage gained from large-format 3D printing is the capability to build oversized parts as a single structure, whereas traditionally, parts are divided into smaller components, then welded or bolted together. This leads to issues with alignment and structural integrity, and an increase in overall labor. Dowell 3D has actually designed our FDM and FGF systems to build larger prints that accommodate oversize part as a single, integral unit. By eliminating these tedious assembly steps, manufacturers can actually shorten production workflows, save time, as well as ensure a stronger, more dimensionally accurate part.

Reduced Lead Times Through Tool-Free Production

Typically, casting, molding, or fabrication methods require tooling to produce an oversized part, and tooling can take weeks or months to fabricate, in addition to costing a substantial sum. Large-format 3D printing bypasses tooling all together. When using a Dowell 3D industrial 3D printing machine, manufacturers are able to move from digital design to a functional part within a matter of days, with no need for custom molds, dies, or tools. Tooling is a major bottleneck for oversized part production in fields like automotive, marine, construction, and heavy machinery, so the agility our machines provide to manufacturers will be directly correlated to competitive advantage.

Material Versatility and Cost-Effective Granule Printing

The types of mechanical characteristics, high strength, and thermal or dimensional stability required by each oversize part vary greatly. We support a wide variety of sophisticated materials, from reinforced composites to strong engineering thermoplastics, allowing your manufactured part to meet and even exceed any requirements of your application. Furthermore, through FGF 3D printing, we allow the use of granular raw materials that the user already utilizes in traditional plastic manufacturing. This significantly cuts down the cost of materials compared to filament-based systems, and it also enables faster build speeds that are well suited for large scale production. Dowell 3D verifies and certifies our materials, ensuring an extremely consistent and reliable printed part.

Precision, Scalability, and Responsive Technical Support

Manufacturing an oversized part does not mean compromising on precision. All of Dowell 3D's large-format 3D printing machines have been designed with robust motion control, and high stiffness and rigidity for their frames to maintain high accuracy. Continual development of our slicing and build management software allows us to maintain precise control over temperature, bead shape and size, and machine positioning even throughout a part spanning multiple meters. Furthermore, Dowell 3D’s highly trained engineers and technical service professionals are there to assist with any and all requests you may have-customizing a machine to fit a specific application, optimizing build parameters for unique designs, and more. Our support systems are in place so that manufacturers can scale with confidence.

From eliminating assembly and shortened lead times to the wide range of materials and the high degree of accuracy delivered by our printers, it is obvious that the production benefits gained through utilizing large-format 3D printing are overwhelming. Dowell 3D’s adaptable, scalable, and affordable solutions are ready to set the standard for producing oversized parts, whether for prototyping, tooling, or finished end use application parts, our systems are ready to help you meet your goals.