Methods 3D AM Lab
Methods 3D Additive Manufacturing laboratory
A newly formed subsidiary of Methods Machine Tools, Inc. has launched seven additive manufacturing laboratories strategically located across the US.
Methods 3D, Inc are looking to increasingly broaden its presence in the 3D printing industry and believe their new labs will help them meet their ambitions.
Additionally, Methods 3D have also introduced new advancements in 3D technology via an integrated production cell, made a number of presentations and showcased the very latest in 3D printing systems. New personnel have also been brought in to support the new infrastructure, and Director of Corporate Development, James Hanson was appointed as Chief Operating Officer (COO).
At IMTS 2016, Methods 3D featured an innovative new concept demonstrating how 3D technology can be deployed in an automated production cell environment. 3D System’s modular ‘Figure 4’ cell was operating lights-out with Fanuc robotic arms, mass-producing multiple parts. The new high-speed SLA technology is capable of generating parts up to 50 times faster than typical SLA printers. Discrete modules in the system enable automation to pass 3D-printed parts from design to printing to washing, curing and final finishing, all without the need for human involvement.
Methods 3D General Manager, Ben Fisk presented ‘The Integration of Additive Manufacturing with Traditional Machining’ at the IMTS Conference to a crowd of almost 500 people. 3D Systems CEO Vyomesh Joshi highlighted Methods 3D in his own IMTS presentation as a key strategic partner for the implementation of Additive Manufacturing solutions into production.
The new additive manufacturing labs boats 18 printers including Direct Metal Printing (DMP), Select Laser Sintering (SLS), Stereolithography (SLA) capabilities and Multi-Jet models running 14 different materials. A full component of post-processing equipment such as EDM, CNC machining, automation and inspection is also onsite and each location fully staffed by a team of sales, application engineers and service technicians.
“Our new additive labs are ideal for manufacturing professionals to consult our experts and explore ways to design and produce their components using the latest 3D technology integrated with conventional machining, automation and more,” COO Hanson said. “Engineers have been bringing their application challenges to us and we have been working with them to implement this technology into their manufacturing operations.
“By partnering with 3D Systems, whose core competencies complement Methods’ suite of metalworking machining and automation solutions, we will provide our customers the most advanced 3D printing available. We are at the front of this innovative technology that is poised to grow exponentially.”
Methods Machine Tools and 3D Systems entered into a partnership with 3D Systems in October 2015. Hanson and his team at Methods 3D, Inc. consider 3D System’s latest developments as ‘game changing.’
The new laboratories are in each of Methods Machine Tools’ technology centres in Sudbury, MA; Detroit, MI; Charlotte, NC; Chicago, IL; Phoenix, AZ; San Francisco, CA and Los Angeles, CA.
