3D printing has opened doors for newer, lighter, stronger, safer and more robustly designed products. While original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and suppliers primarily use Additive manufacturing for rapid prototyping, the technical curve of additive manufacturing makes a strong case for its use in product innovation and direct manufacturing in the future.

Wire Harnessing

As per numerous specialists, 3D printing guarantees to change the manner in which various items are planned and mass-produced. In addition to other things, the technology can be utilized to create connectors, terminals and other wiring harness components. Furthermore, some time or another not very far off, 3D-printed parts may even take out the requirement for customary wire and link gatherings. To speed product testing with usable parts, wiring harness engineers are eager for an alternative process to plastic injection molding. They’re also interested in low-volume applications that allow them to easily produce one-off designs or custom components.

Jigs and Fixtures

Grips: The part of an automation process that is in contact with the workpiece typically used to exchange or orientate the part. These are often custom-made to match a parts geometry.

Jigs: Holds the workpiece tight and furthermore directs the cutting device (e.g. a drill jig used for guiding the drill tool into the right spot). Jigs are typically not attached to the machine and can be easily manipulated to align with the cutting instrument. Precision of part does not rely upon the operator. Jigs are made out of tough materials as they must guide a tool to a particular location.

Fixtures: Locates, holds and supports the work-piece securely as machining or assembly happens. Machining fixtures are generally anchored to the machine to withstand the large machining forces the part is subjected to. 

Fracktal can not only help you discover such use cases on your factory floor and machine assembly process but also help set up an additive manufacturing ecosystem that is much needed for continuous innovation.