Additive manufacturing for more sustainability

The challenge of mass production

Then why not simply switch production? Mass production in itself is simple, but meeting industrial quality standards is difficult. In addition to productivity and profitability, quality and certification always come into play. Aspects such as optimal material/process combination while observing the necessary operational requirements, meeting target specifications, reproducibility and data traceability must be taken into account. Giovanni Cavolina states: "We are at a turning point in additive manufacturing. The market is looking for technologies which can be applied for small and medium sized series in order to strengthen competitiveness and differentiation”.

Prepared for the future

By co-operating with Setforge, 9T Labs has gained a French customer that produces innovative metal parts for the aerospace and automotive industries and hopes to create new market opportunities by replacing metals with structural CFRP components. "Lightweight and sustainability are becoming increasingly important," emphasises Damien Felix, head of Setforge's EPITHER programme. "As an innovative company, we must explore new technologies for the future of digital mass production. With 9T Labs' cost-conscious approach, we can reduce the weight of components as well as production costs". Setforge will use 9T Labs' all-in-one solution, which includes software, hardware and engineering services. According to Damien Felix, this offers several advantages:

• Technical support
• The software facilitates access to the design process of CFRP components and shortens the product development time
• Flexibility in process simulation and digital prototyping to extend the patented process to mass production of CFRP parts

"In addition to our traditional production of metal parts, we need a supplementary technology to achieve our goals," says Damien Felix. The additive manufactured parts with the Red Series™ from 9T Labs meet Setforge's high quality requirements and expand their product range. Giovanni Cavolina adds: "The combination of 9T Labs' knowledge of composite materials and Setforge's experience in production will enable mass production using additive manufacturing".

New markets, new applications

Lightweight construction also signifies sustainability and is increasingly important for the future. Companies such as Setforge can replace metals, thereby increasing market share in existing markets and opening up new markets. The properties of carbon composites are diverse and therefore an advantage in every industry. The team of 9T Labs sees great potential in the aerospace and medical technology sectors. However, they are open to everything and look forward to receiving enquiries from all industrial sectors.