On this occasion, we want to talk to you about one of the latest success stories in the industrial sector of INTECH3D in collaboration with the company Silam, which focuses on the development of personalized and innovative solutions in HTV silicone. The project that they proposed to us has been the creation of prototypes of tools with 3D printing, in order to carry out a dimensional control of these pieces in a more effective way, reducing times and costs derived from production.

About Silam

Silam has been operating since 1964 until becoming one of the main references in Europe in the treatment of HTV silicone (hot vulcanizable elastomer).

One of the main values they promote is the personalization of their interventions. Currently, they have a solid customer base to which they supply additives, silicone mixtures and ready-to-use bases. They also supply other technical products manufactured in solid silicone or sponge.

The silicone mixtures that the company sells are designed for subsequent manufacturing or transformation through different techniques, always in accordance with the needs of its customers.

All of its workflows are designed to adjust as much as possible to the requirements of each project and are capable of assuming cutting processes, self-adhesive support, marking, etc. Now, in this new stage, they want to integrate additive manufacturing into their production and prototyping processes, to improve them in terms of times and results.

The challenge: Manufacture real prototypes of tools

Since our client's competencies include the manufacture of all kinds of components, such as tubes or joints for ovens, it was very attractive for them to embrace 3D printing technology to minimize the time required in the prototyping phase.

Their objective is to improve their ability to supervise dimensional parts, to obtain relevant information, which can then be incorporated into the production process of the tooling.

Another of the objectives of introducing additive manufacturing in his company was to be able to better predict production costs in smaller-run interventions. Since Silam usually manufactures very specific parts, they were interested in having the capacity to offer prices that were more adjusted to the requirements of the production line, the consumption of raw materials and the losses; among other factors that affect the general performance of the work.

The solution: 3D printing for more effective tooling prototyping

Now that at Silam they have their own endowment of 3D printing equipment, they can take on the new challenges of their clients with more solvency. Do you want to know how we help them? After our intervention, they can produce prototype pieces in a less complex way that they can study in physical format from all their perspectives.

The UltiMaker S3 equipment they have acquired will allow them to take advantage of using new materials, apart from those they have already used throughout their career, and create fully functional prototypes in record time.

3D printing technology can revolutionize the way you do things and understand each project that involves the design and production of components within your range of specialization. Likewise, additive manufacturing gives them the opportunity to assimilate new sectors into their client portfolio, thanks to their willingness to innovate, which they can continue to exploit with the use of 3D printing.

Project results: Less time and more production

The main positive consequence of the use of 3D printing in their productive activities is the possibility of accessing physical prototypes of tooling parts; under more favorable conditions for the company. Now, at Silam, they spend less time in the pilot component creation phase and, on the other hand, reduce the time between the original design, prototyping and mass production phases.

The incorporation of additive manufacturing in Silam is a new leap in its evolution towards full 4.0 operation. We are convinced that as they continue to scale in the use of 3D printing, they will discover many other applications to use in the custom orders that the company develops. The technology provides the possibility to produce with fewer deviations, at a lower cost and with shorter manufacturing times.

The benefits treasured by Silam are aligned with its main corporate value: flexibility in its interventions. In this sense, additive manufacturing is the perfect complement to their production chain, not only because it allows them to fully exploit the prototyping phase, but also because it eliminates the restrictions inherent to other mechanical production approaches, which cannot match those in operational efficiency. current 3D printing equipment.

The INTECH3D 3D Consulting process

INTECH3D we are business advisers and consultants, in the field of the integration of additive production technologies in the value chains of companies. We take responsibility for the correct integration of the teams in the value chain of each company or business:

• Advice during the choice of the right technology
• Marketing of equipment, consumables and spare parts
• Training for the use of the necessary Hardware and Software
• Integrated equipment maintenance
• Official technical service for all products marketed

The INTECH3D technical team has more than 6 years of experience in various 3D printing technologies. We have different technologies and manufacturing materials with 3D printing, to cover the different technological or business needs of each sector:

• Conceptual prototypes
• Functional prototypes
• Final components
• Workshop tools
• Spare parts
• Short and medium production series.

It is also very important that all the departments of the same company know all the possibilities and benefits that 3D printing can bring to their sector:

• Risk reduction in manufacturing
• Reduced manufacturing costs
• Reduced manufacturing time
• Validation with a prototype before making an investment in final manufacturing
• Manufacture "on demand", without discarding material.
• Reduction of the "Time to Market" of the final product
• Manufacture of "Bridge" series to know its fit in the market
• Possibility of making short production series
• Elimination of time in the provision of Stock

If you want to apply 3D printing technology in your company or business, do not hesitate to contact us. We are at the service of companies for the immediate resolution of any doubt or query related to the use of the equipment.