Low Production Volume Runs

Metal 3D printing provides the opportunity of low volume production runs (several thousand) at a level below mass production (10s of thousands). The size of the components will determine the practicality of a low volume production run ie how many parts per build for the particular additive Manufacturing (AM) technology.

Production runs can comprise of multiple units of the same component, multiple units of different components as well as a mixture of components in a single production run. The lead time for production will depend on the number of parts, the length of build time and post-processing requirements.    

Added value through AM low volume production runs include reduction in part tooling costs and low volume multi-part runs for subsequent assembly. End users can also benefit from reduction in warehousing costs as well as increased flexibility in their supply chain. 

Croft AM can advise on the optimal number of parts per production run that would deliver cost-effectiveness as well as post-processing considerations and the overall lead time. Production considerations include CAD model suitability for metal 3D printing, part-specifications, surface finish requirements and post-processing testing requirements.

Croft AM and FDM Digital solutions delivered a guidance in conjunction with the British Standards Institution and the Knowledge Transfer Network in order to support SMEs in gaining an understanding of AM processes, both plastic and metal to assess whether the AM process is the right choice based on their requirements for component production. For a copy of this guidance, please fill in the form below – thank you.

 

Croft AM and FDM Digital solutions delivered a guidance in conjunction with the British Standards Institution and the Knowledge Transfer Network in order to support SMEs in gaining an understanding of AM processes, both plastic and metal to assess whether the AM process is the right choice based on their requirements for component production. For a copy of this guidance, please fill in the form below.

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