Techniplas, a key provider of manufacturing solutions for the automotive industry, has announced a tooling production partnership with Italian 3D printer developer Sharebot.
With the partnership, Techniplas hopes to reduce the cost of producing jigs and fixtures used on vehicle assembly lines, boosting operational yields via “flexible manufacturing cells.”
Make manufacturing future-proof
Under the agreement, Sharebot will be providing its large-format Sharebot XXL+ 3D printers to the Techniplas Additive Manufacturing Innovation Center in Ventura, California. Opened July 2017 under the direction of Avi Reichental, former President, CEO and Director of 3D Systems, the AM Innovation Center is a part of Techniplas Digital seeking to make its manufacturing systems future-proof.
Sharebot’s 3D printers are open to use with new and third party materials, meaning that high impact, conductive and high temperature properties needed for automotive can be tuned for FFF.
Reichental, who is also Vice-Chairman of Techniplas, explains, “As part of our open innovation initiative, we look to attract and work with partners that can deliver the necessary resources, technology and capabilities required toward making the connected world a reality,” adding, “Sharebot provides Techniplas with the advanced manufacturing proficiencies that we seek to roll out throughout our network of partners and factories.”
Jigs, fixtures and spare parts
Integrating 3D printing into manufacturing for tooling, jigs an fixtures has proved to be a highly lucrative alternative in a number of use cases across the industry. The technology has enabled other manufacturers to make significant cost savings, and also facilitates the redesign of certain outdated, or new, tools.
In addition, the technology contributes to an industry-wide digitization stratagy, where traditional store rooms of spare parts are replaced by computer equivalents.
Addressing this vision Arturo Donghi, CEO of Sharebot comments, “Techniplas and its leadership demonstrate a clear vision of how digital fabrication is defining and shaping the future of manufacturing, and we look forward to working with them as our additive manufacturing partner.”
For any of our readers at TCT this week, Sharebot are also exhibiting at the show.
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Featured image shows Sharebot 3D printed mechanical parts. Photo via Sharebot
