3D Printing and Training Centre 3DWIT acquired INTAMSYS’ High Temperature FFF Printer

INTAMSYS — Mon, 29 Nov 2021 13:12:53 +0000

As a training center for all things additive manufacturing, 3DWIT aims to house the latest and greatest technologies. 3DWIT hosts a range of additive manufacturing technologies from polymers to metals.
The center serves various industrial clients. And as such, it has requirements for a range of materials going from standard polymers to metals, to advanced/engineering polymers. The center hosts several FFF machines. However, there was a gap in their offerings in terms of high-temperature FFF. Responding to the needs of industries within Ireland looking to adopt additive manufacturing technologies, further drove the decision to complete their portfolio with an INTAMSYS FUNMAT PRO 410 system and add high-temperature FFF to their capabilities.

Paul Quinn is responsible for the day-to-day operation, applications development, and training provision at the Printing Training Centre in Waterford, Ireland. Paul has been involved with AM since 2014 through various roles.

"We initially came across INTAMSYS machines through conversations with our customers in early 2019. We then viewed the machine at Formnext in 2019. After discussion with the INTAMSYS engineers, and being shown around the machine and its capabilities, we were very impressed with the printer."

Paul Quinn, Lead AM Applications Engineer at 3DWIT

3DWIT purchased the INTAMSYS FUNMAT PRO 410 from iMakr, an INTAMSYS reseller, in late 2020 and had the machine delivered in Q1 2021.

Paul shared with us one of the first use of the FUNMAT PRO 410;
During a training session for a customer, 3DWIT had one of their employees approach them looking for some assistance and advice on printing a sample holding and fixturing for a thermal spraying process.

After investigating the process and developing a new fixturing method – and thanks to their expertise in PEEK printing -, the 3DWIT team was able to produce some test parts that they could use to test and validate the new fixture in their process. PEEK was selected due to its high chemical resistance and high usage temperature, which is imperative for the thermal spraying process. The FUNMAT PRO 410 was instrumental in the development of these fixtures.

ABOUT 3DWIT

Established in 2018, as an initiative of SEAM Research Centre, 3DWIT is unique in that it is the only centre in Ireland, which provides hands-on training in the field of Additive Manufacturing. We offer a wide range of courses, for those both new to 3D Printing and those looking for a partner to up-skill your entire workforce. Training is carried out in our state-of-the-art 3D Print Lab, based at our new facility in Waterford Institute of Technology, Ireland. Our training covers all things additive manufacturing, to enable potential users to understand the process and ultimately leverage its capabilities.

https://www.3dwit.ie/

ABOUT INTAMSYS

INTAMSYS 3D Printing All-in-One Solutions bear the ambition to make future lives fully customizable due to the infinity of possibilities the Additive Manufacturing Industry offers. Meeting the most demanding industrial standards, INTAMSYS 3D Printers are optimized for applications in industries as diverse as Automotive, Aerospace, Oil & Gas, Medical sector, Jigs & Fixtures, or even Education.

Contact: info@intamsys.com

The post 3D Printing and Training Centre 3DWIT acquired INTAMSYS’ High Temperature FFF Printer appeared first on INTAMSYS.

Benefits of 3D Printed End-Use Parts in a Yacht

INTAMSYS — Wed, 24 Nov 2021 14:20:09 +0000

One can wonder what are the benefits of 3D printed end-use parts for yachts. Well, yachts are made to their own specifications, and everything fits in afterward. Many pieces need to be specifically made or customized before installation. 3D printing can help reduce costs and manufacturing time but not only, it allows a greater choice of materials and more design freedom.

Sea3D is a company focusing on Research and Development in 3D printing capabilities. It was established by Adam Hauck, an experienced Superyacht captain, and Nick McMullen, an innovative engineer working in the yachting industry, both for many years. They have joined forces amidst the Covid pandemic to create an industrial 3D printing company in Palma de Mallorca.

The young company wanted to print high-quality parts and out of technical materials that can be used for end-use parts with real-world use.

3D printing allows the company to make any number of different parts to fit and match exactly with the various spaces onboard a yacht. The CAD model can be created according to the space allowed and fits the needed requirements. With the advancements in filaments and precise high-quality printers like the FUNMAT HT, Nick and Adam are able to have a high control on cost, produce parts faster than traditional manufacturing, and use materials that are better suited to the intended function than in conventional methods. The FUNMAT HT is an open material system that doesn’t come at an extra cost, thus allowing them to test many types of filaments.

The criteria to go for a FUNMAT HT was to be able to print the kind of high quality and technical materials that can be used for end-use parts. The duo was looking for their prints to be immediately used onboard for real-purpose use. The capabilities of the FUNMAT HT allow them to print with materials that rival or even surpass various metals and machines plastics. Sea3D researched the topic and decided to go for INTAMSYS’s industrial desktop printer as it was the best way to hit the ground running and produce functional parts for yachting. The printer was purchased with the expert advice of now newly entitled Windforce located in Barcelona.

Among a vast choice of industries covered, Sea3D designed and printed several parts at a customer’s request.

This is a new part developed by the team. The customer was looking for a bracket to hold the instrument screens away from the mast so the lines could run free behind it without blocking the visibility. The captain also wanted something strong as there may be some climbing on the brackets while managing the sails.

With the help of the captain that designed the CAD model, Sea3D was able to print it in one piece using the maximum X & Y-axis area on the FUNMAT HT.
But on which material should the piece be printed out of?
They initially printed the bracket out of PLA-CF and sent it to the captain who fitted it and made some changes according to the curvature of the mast. However, the first bracket has now been on for a full summer with heavy use and still looks brand new.

They printed then two more brackets with the needed changes. The final designs were printed out of carbon-fiber-reinforced Nylon.
Adam and Nick were impressed with the strength and durability of PLA-CF. But they remain curious as to the differences between PA-CF and PLA-CF. They are looking forward to doing continued testing with this design and possible materials.

This is a replacement for a part located on the helm. The original part was made of a type of rubber and had yellowed from the sun and was tearing off.
It was a complex design due to its hollow dome shape. Nick and Adam had to adjust for use of support on the inside and a few liner details such as the yacht name, a “lip” so it snaps in place, etc.
The part was printed out of ASA, for its UV resistance. It is also very durable and impact resistant. The captain wanted a black color to match parts of the boat and desired a hardcover instead of the original flexible one from before. This has been on board since the start of summer 2021, out in the sun, in contact of the sea, and exposed to the sea weather, and the part still looks great!

There are lights located under the helm in the Lazarette. These lights light up under the water. The part on the picture didn’t exist before. It came from the will of protecting them from damage, water, or oil. The captain wanted some housings made that could come off easily so he could still service the lights.
They went for a simple and robust design. The parts needed to be strong and out of sight. There were needs to have vents to disperse the heat and a base that the housing could attach to, so the design incorporated these features.
The material choice was PA-CF for its mechanical strength since there may be cargo falling and hitting them – or people stepping on them. In addition to its strength, carbon-fiber-reinforced Nylon has a resistance to chemicals like engine oils, fuels, or cleaning chemicals that could be found in the vicinity.

Sea3D remains excited in continuing improving their current products and continuing to experiment and improve the parts.

The company is expanding, and for more exposure, Sea3D printed again the parts to be displayed at INTAMSYS’s booth during Formnext 2021 in Germany.

ABOUT SEA3D

“We Create Solutions and Make A Difference.”
Their services include the smallest most intricate prints to the most elaborate large-scale industrial projects.
Adam Hauck, an experienced Superyacht captain, and Nick McMullen, an innovative engineer working in the yachting industry, both for many years, have joined forces amidst the covid pandemic to create an industrial 3d printing company in Palam de Mallorca called Sea3D. Their dynamic collection of printers allow them to offer large-scale industrial 3D printed solutions for a wide range of industries. https://sea3d.net/

ABOUT WINDFORCE

WindForce is an expert in large format additive manufacturing in many sectors. From design and architecture to advertising, retail to the transport sector including automotive, rail, and marine.
The company is part of DFactory – http://dfactorybcn.org, the most important 4.0 innovation center in Southern Europe. Windforce proposes to accompany its customers to make the leap to large format digital 3D printing, supporting them in every step of the way and supporting their ambitions to make 3D printing a profitable dimension of their business. www.windforce.es

ABOUT INTAMSYS

Contact: info@intamsys.com

The post Benefits of 3D Printed End-Use Parts in a Yacht appeared first on INTAMSYS.

Printing services Archives | INTAMSYS

3D Printing and Training Centre 3DWIT acquired INTAMSYS’ High Temperature FFF Printer

Benefits of 3D Printed End-Use Parts in a Yacht