For completeness sake: Matt Gerber asks:
Post# of 375
Matt Gerber asks:
JJSmith... Many thanks for your generous and detailed reply; You certainly know your stuff. So let me ask you this... even if SGLB can save 25 - 30% in manufacturing time due to the elimination of the post production inspection, how much slower still would the ion process be for aerospace components if devised on a 3D printer utilizing Printrite versus conventional manufacturing? In other words, after taking the 30% time reduction into effect, what is the ratio of producing a jet engine part the conventional versus the AM way?
My responses:
I will explain in my next article an aspect of the post-production process and how absolutely necessary a part needs to pass inspection on the first run. This is absolutely crucial as the value of skilled engineers, costs of coordinate measuring machines (CMM), inspection equipment setup time, and supply chain depends on the 3D printed part. If the part needs correction, then whole chain of event collapses and the sequence needs to be repeated !!
Also remember that the whole idea of adopting 3D printing is to save material, costs, and time. 3D printing will allow fabrication of elaborate parts that used to be composed of different parts put together. Additive manufacturing is green technology in comparison to subtractive manufacturing where cutting away at a template is performed to form parts. The time savings will occur when the need for many different parts is eliminated, addition of 3D printing machines, printing correctly on the first run, and proving standards are met is performed.
http://jjsigmalabsblog.blogspot.com/2013/12/o...mment-form