OECHSLER invests in AM Solutions for its 3D post processing technology

By OEM Update Editorial March 1, 2021 6:19 pm

OECHSLER has purchased the post processing system S1 from AM Solutions – 3D post processing technology. The automated S1 will assist the company to fulfill the stringent requirements for quality, repeatability of processing results, traceability and cost efficiency that must be met in the automotive industry.

OECHSLER is one of the global leaders in the production of plastic components. The company has been working with additive manufacturing since 2017. In close cooperation with leading manufacturers of 3D printers and suitable material suppliers OECHSLER has been actively pursuing the volume production of 3D printed components for industries like automotive, household and commercial products and sporting goods.

Matthias Weißkopf, Senior Vice President Global Product & Technology Development, OECHSLER, explains: “Post processing poses a huge challenge in the field of additive manufacturing. For a long time this aspect of the process chain has been somewhat neglected. But post processing is a key factor for the cost efficiency and quality of products produced with additive manufacturing. In this respect an important task is the development and precise definition of automatic post processing procedures.”

“OECHLSER’s experience in series production and the associated post processing requirements again helped us fine-tune the machine development,” adds Manuel Laux, Head of AM Solutions – 3D post processing technology.

Repeatability – a critical yardstick:

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OECHSLER decided to purchase the S1, because it offers a high degree of flexibility for the shot blasting process and allows treating all kinds of different materials like PA, PP and TPU. The machine can be easily switched from automatic to manual operation without the need for time consuming re-tooling as required with other post processing shot blast systems. In addition, the S1 offers other valuable technical features like the anti-static polyurethane lining of the inside of the blast chamber and the rotary basket and the ATEX compliant motors and valves. Another major factor was the ergonomic loading and unloading of the work piece batches. During this operation the rotary basket remains completely within the blast chamber so that no contaminants like loose powder can spill to the floor. Other significant technical properties were the automatic control and storage of the process parameters and the integrated blast media classification.

Matthias Weißkopf continues “These standard features are essential to meet the requirements of the automobile industry and other industrial sectors for process safety, cost-efficiency and repeatability of the processing results. They are indispensable for transforming additive manufacturing into a technology for volume production.”

The project teams of the two companies jointly developed custom-engineered solutions for the specific OECHSLER process requirements. The open and constructive atmosphere between the two companies was a big factor for achieving the desired positive results within a surprisingly short time span. It allowed commissioning the S1 machine at OECHSLER by the end of August 2020. Matthias Weißkopf finally remarks: “With AM Solutions – 3D post processing technology we found a partner, who jointly with us developed an optimal solution that meets our special requirements 100%. We feel that this partnership offers a big potential for future developments in the field of additive manufacturing.”