Briefing
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- Additive Manufacturing – Volvo Trucks now uses 3D printing to produce 500 tools and fixtures at New River Valley (NRV) plant in Dublin, Virginia, U.S.
- Selective Laser Sintering – Common 3D printing technique that applies laser rather than heat to form objects, allowing engineers to draw design, input in machine and 3D print in hours
- 3D Printed Parts – Include roof seal gauges, fuse installation platens, drilling fixtures, brake piston gauges, vacuum drill ducts, brake valve fitting gauges, hood drilling fixtures, power steering adapter holders, luggage door gap gauges and door pins
- Benefits – Include faster production, improved quality, increased flexibility, reduced inventory expenses and costs, error elimination, streamlined manufacturing and replacement processes, and product delivery speed
- Sample Cost Savings – 3D printing one-piece diffuser, used in paint atomizer cleaning process, resulted in over $1,000 savings per part, and eliminating need for multiple piece component
- Sample Efficiency Improvements – Reduced production time of tools by 94% in 2015, from 36 days down to two, using thermoplastic ABSplus and Stratasys Fortus 3D Production System
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