Machine Design – May 2019

I

n Part 1, I wrote about the 3D

printing market predictions,

standards, inspection, technology

and materials that might expand

and thrive in 2019. This article will focus

on companies that are making it hap-

pen: How Stratasys is pushing for carbon

fiber tooling, Ford and Carbon’s work on

the F-150 Raptor Auxiliary Plugs, Ulti-

maker’s expanded push into industrial

printing, and Optomec acquiring Huff-

man to push the company into the repair

and aftermarket space.

STRATASYS AND 3D PRINTED

TOOLING

Using 3D printing indirectly can be

a great way the process can accelerate

production. Often people think of print-

ing parts, but printing jigs, fixtures, and

even molds have shown a lot of value

in the industrial markets. 3D-printed

composite tooling technology such as

FDM offers a fast, cost-effective means

of producing composite structures.

FDM composite tools take only days

to produce instead of weeks or months

and avoid the high cost, touch-labor,

and long lead times of traditional tool

fabrication.

JEFF KERNS | Technology Editor

CAD/3D Printing

Companies are using 3D printing in novel ways to increase and improve production.

3D Printing

Trends in Manufacturing,

Part 2

66 MAY 2019 MACHINE DESIGN