3D printing for unplanned requirements

Although such risks can be minimized with the right combination of quality inspection and early fault detection, they cannot be completely avoided. In such cases, additive manufacturing can be a decisive lever in spare parts management to get the system up and running again quickly.

Potential not yet recognized

"3D printing is no longer hype, but is already being used in many places in an industrial context as a practical tool to make production more flexible and therefore more productive," says Florian Ebner, a 3D printing expert at Conrad Electronic for many years. Nevertheless, in his eyes, not all companies have recognized the potential of the technology: "If things have to happen really quickly because a machine is down due to material failure, it can be a huge advantage if I can additively manufacture spare parts such as brackets, pinions or hinges on site," explains Florian Ebner. Of course, warranty issues and the use of other people's intellectual property must be taken into account when using spare parts produced in-house.

The advantages of additive manufacturing

3D printers specially designed for industrial use are extremely flexible in the production of complex parts, both in terms of material and variety of shapes. "The machine fleets of SMEs in particular often contain older models for which spare parts are no longer available. If a component fails, 3D printing is the ideal tool for providing a replacement quickly and easily," continues the Conrad expert. Accuracy of fit, short waiting times and the ability to manufacture in small quantities are further good arguments - especially in times of supply bottlenecks. In general, optimized spare parts management with the help of 3D printing can make sense: Certain spare parts then no longer need to be kept in stock in large quantities, but can be produced on-demand, which reduces storage costs and frees up capital.

Further areas of application for 3D printing

However, optimizing spare parts management is by no means the only useful application of a 3D printer in industrial operations. Tools can be modified and individualized with the help of self-printed special components in such a way that damage-free assembly is made possible. A 3D printer can also be used to produce special brackets and customized assembly aids to keep changeover times as short as possible. The modernization of existing machines and systems (retrofit) can also be accomplished thanks to additive manufacturing: Converting from plain to ball bearings, for example, is just as easy as equipping old machines with modern sensor technology, with the 3D printer adapting the mount for this sensor technology.

From ordering to advice

If a material fails and the machine comes to a standstill as a result, the Conrad Sourcing Platform with its extensive range is the ideal place to go to cover technical requirements: the large selection of spare parts and measurement technology for production and maintenance is complemented by a wide range of 3D printers for every area of application. And of course, suitable filaments and accessories are also available.