Features 3D Printing Printing
Manroland web opts for additive manufacturing

Manroland web systems says it has been analyzing and testing the benefits of alternative production methods for spare and wear parts. The results, manroland says, show there is no getting around the topic of additive manufacturing processes.

The company describes additive manufacturing – or 3D printing – as a process in which a component is built up, layer upon layer, on the basis of digital three dimensional design data, through depositing or connecting of materials. It explains the next generation Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) process as a professional production process, currently in the early stages of its development.

One of the most prominent benefits of additive manufacturing is shorter lead times, according to manroland, explaining the development and production of tools and moulds is completely eliminated. Corrections to prototypes or short notice design modifications are also possible, without problems. As well, there is less waste produced during the manufacturing of work pieces. Manroland says 3D printing provides very promising possibilities for designers regarding lightweight construction, which in turn means a reduction of materials used.

“Additive manufacturing additionally brings an immense optimization of inventories with it, because you can produce ‘on demand’. These benefits mean that our customers will profit both monetarily and also through time savings and faster processes. We can also guarantee long-term reproducibility of mechanical parts without the use of specific tools or casting moulds,” says Lutz Leonhardt, Vice President Global Supply Chain & Merchant Network at manroland web systems. “A lot of these processes are still not an option when it comes to mass production, however they are very suited to the production of conventional batch sizes in machinery and plant engineering.”

manroland web says it has developed an innovative business model for online trade over the past few years with the manroland web STORE and the B2B-trading platform, MARKET-X. Various manufacturing processes, which provide further benefits to the customer, can be implemented, depending on how pressing the deadline is, it notes.

Alexander Wachter, Vice President eCommerce, Remote Service, Customer Support at manroland web systems, says the company intends to permanently integrate additive manufacturing products into its e-commerce sector to help improve the availability of parts for its customers, as well as provide alternative procurement opportunities and shorter delivery time options.

“The integration of additive processes into our stocking strategy means we are developing a further important technological benefit when compared with all of our competitors, making us the strongest performing business partners for our customers,” Franz Kriechbaum, member of the management board at manroland web systems, adds.