Metal additive manufacturing
The Gonvarri group is a global leader in the steel and aluminium transformation sector, with over 45 factories across the world. The Lean Manufacturing teams from Gonvarri have worked closely with us to develop personalised tooling for their processes in order to improve the productivity and the ergonomics for their employees. As a result of this collaboration with the engineering teams, a diverse range of tooling has been developed for flat steel cutting lines, avoiding downtimes. Below is just one example of how the health of operators has been improved.
The basis of the problem
1. Problem:
The excessive weight of the adjusting nut of the longitudinal cutting shaft makes it difficult and ergonomically complicated to operate.
2. Improvements:
- A unique design with a hollow and meshed structure
- Weight reduction from 17 kg to 5kg
- Personalised text
3. Benefits:
- Ergonomics
- Reduction of staff turnover
- Quicker changes
- Inclusion of connectors
4. Process:
The plant team identifies the problem, Addimen then analyses a functional redesign, manufactures a plastic prototype, checks it with the final client, and the definitive tooling is then manufactured with metal.
Conclusion
3D printing has helped to improve the wellbeing of operators and increase productivity thanks to the redesign of lighter and more efficient tools.
