Why Large 3D Printing Machine Reduces Assembly Time in Big Projects

The assembly phase of production is traditionally one of the most time-consuming and labor-intensive stages of production in the large-scale manufacturing project. Assembling metal frames, fixing composite panels or welding various pieces of fabrications are some of the areas where complexity is created, and there is a likelihood of quality problems and high dependency on scheduling. The 3D printing of large format is a radical solution. Since 2014, Dowell 3D has been committed to developing flexible, multi-purpose and cost-effective industrial 3D printing solutions. Using our FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) and FGF (Fused Granule Fabrication) technologies, superior materials, and fined controls in software, the manufacturers can cut, and even eradicate, assembly time in large projects by a significant margin. Here is how.

Consolidating Multi-Component Assemblies into Single Prints

Part consolidation is one of the most effective methods that large-format 3D printing uses to cut the assembly time. The old way of manufacturing processes often involve assemblies that are complicated and hence need to be disassembled into dozens or even hundreds of distinct parts that need to be mounted back together. The large-format printers used by Dowell 3D make it possible to redesign such assemblies as integrated and single-unit structures. With the design freedom of additive manufacturing, previously fastened, adhesive, or welded components can be printed into a single seamless print. This integration removes many of assembly processes, and the number of suppliers and inventory objects is diminished, as well as the total project schedules are considerably reduced.

Eliminating Alignment and Fitment Challenges

The time that is spent in assembling is usually not the time the joining process takes, but the preparation work that has to be done before the components can fit together. In the case of parts being manufactured independently, particularly large parts, tolerances may accumulate, allowing gaps, misalignment, and fitment problems to occur and requiring time-consuming adjustments, reworking or even custom shimming. The large-format FDM and FGF printers at Dowell 3D can be used to address these issues of alignment, since they are eliminated due to the creation of oversized components as a single, continuous print. With our strong motion systems and our high-quality software controls, the dimensional accuracy at the entire build volume is ensured, that is, each feature will be accurately placed with respect to each other feature at the very beginning. The outcome is the creation of components that fit perfectly without on site adjustment.

Streamlined Supply Chain and Logistics

In large projects, the causes of delays in the assembly can be located beyond the manufacturing floor. The process of arranging the arrival of dozens of subcomponents of several suppliers, inventory control, and the logistics of transportation of large, partially complete structures is time-consuming and risky. This equation is simplified with large-format printing of 3D. Having large-scale components manufactured on-demand and in-house will enable manufacturers to become less reliant on outside suppliers and will also remove the necessity of putting together various parts that have been sourced. The FGF technology developed by Dowell 3D also helps in increasing the efficiency of the supply chain since the materials used are easily available in form of granular material, and hence the process of sourcing of materials is simplified. Reduced components translate to reduced shipments, reduced handling, and reduced time taken in production to the deployment.

Responsive Engineering Support for Assembly-Free Designs

The real assembly reduction cannot be made solely by having a large build volume but it needs engineering skills to redesign the parts with additive manufacturing in consideration. The talented engineers and technical department of Dowell 3D collaborate with manufacturers in order to determine the opportunity of consolidation and optimization of designs to produce single pieces. Since it involves adding mounting capability and strengthening the structures, as well as creating a self-aligning interface with the limited number of connections to be made, our team has been very helpful in the entire design and production process. Such a dynamic and cooperative solution guarantees the ability of manufacturers to maximize the time savings that large-format 3D printing can achieve during assembly, thus making it possible to complete the project faster and cut labor expenses.

Big 3D printing is changing the way big projects are undertaken as it essentially lowers the amount of time and complexity of the assembly. The industrial FDM and FGF solutions proposed at Dowell 3D help manufacturers to create large-scale components in the form of complete and ready-to-use structures through the use of part consolidation, removal of alignment issues, simplified logistics, and responsive engineering support. Regardless of what you are producing, automotive tooling, marine parts, architecture, and industrial machinery, we are focused on delivering versatile, flexible, and cost-effective solutions, supported by a technical team that is ready to serve any customization or service-related need, and get bold ideas onboard within the shortest time ever.