JNieman
Titanium
- Joined
- Nov 12, 2011
- Location
- Greater St Louis Area
One of the things I'm always on the look for is ways to justify new technology to bring in to the company. I'm not counting on much in the way of contracted print jobs because I don't know what that would be like - and I don't know that we could compete much with current mass suppliers unless we wanted to bill it at break-even just to keep it busier and maybe open the door to new customers to machine their parts.
Completely honest; some of my motivation is "keeping up with the Jones'" which is rarely money-wise, and some motivation is because it's personally interesting/exciting to me, and I like learning and experimenting with new things. All things in business must be fiscally wise, so I make sure to do my homework before submitting budget requests.
What I'd like to know is how some of you see a non-metallic additive machine helping a job shop. Frequent customer-industries served: Medical, Aerospace, Tool/Die, Power, Transportation, Laser components... lot of variety.
Workholding: For castings, it seems like they'd make for some great fixture devices. Soft jaws can definitely be whipped up overnight for hot jobs, keeping the machine spindles making chips on billable work.
Discounting miscellaneous "knick knacks" around the shop, what practical applications can you see having such a machine around?
Note: I'm only specifying non-metal to keep the costs down as a first-machine purchase to test the waters. If there are extraordinary applications for DMLS parts then I'd be all ears. DMLS parts would also be more likely to be direct customer production, as well.
Completely honest; some of my motivation is "keeping up with the Jones'" which is rarely money-wise, and some motivation is because it's personally interesting/exciting to me, and I like learning and experimenting with new things. All things in business must be fiscally wise, so I make sure to do my homework before submitting budget requests.
What I'd like to know is how some of you see a non-metallic additive machine helping a job shop. Frequent customer-industries served: Medical, Aerospace, Tool/Die, Power, Transportation, Laser components... lot of variety.
Workholding: For castings, it seems like they'd make for some great fixture devices. Soft jaws can definitely be whipped up overnight for hot jobs, keeping the machine spindles making chips on billable work.
Discounting miscellaneous "knick knacks" around the shop, what practical applications can you see having such a machine around?
Note: I'm only specifying non-metal to keep the costs down as a first-machine purchase to test the waters. If there are extraordinary applications for DMLS parts then I'd be all ears. DMLS parts would also be more likely to be direct customer production, as well.