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Additive layer manufacturing machines targeted at consumers could take off before parts made using this technique are produced in mass volume by industry, an expert at rapid prototyping and tooling specialist CRDM has said.
HP has developed a desktop 3D printer. CRDM is distributing the technology and believes it has the potential to be adopted en masse before additive layer manufacturing (ALM) is used to produce large volumes of parts for a mainstream automotive or aerospace application. ALM has been much hyped in recent months.
CRDM’s recently appointed commercial director, Abhilash Katkoria, said: “We now have the HP 3D printers. So, the idea is to bring about a wider awareness of what a prototype can do, so that a customer or business can easily manufacture a part from a quick design. Then, when they need a more professional technologically demanding prototype, we are there. So we are offering both solutions.”
Katkoria added: “Technology hasn’t moved that drastically. It has become faster, but ALM still has not developed real material solutions. Businesses can’t use it to replace manufacturing so it still has a long way to go.
“Some businesses are starting to see the value, however, and we are doing low volume ALM manufacture. How soon will ALM parts be in aircraft and cars? I think it is a long way away. There is more awareness in the media. The awareness is there, and automotive is looking at replacing some parts under the bonnet – we have done projects on that. But I think until we resolve the material and quality issues I believe it’s some way off. It’s just starting.”
Katkoria said 3D printing at home was likely to take off before ALM mass production in the engineering industry. He added that the ability to capture 3D data through a common consumer device, such as a smartphone – or 3D data from television – and feed it to the printer could spur mass uptake of printers for the home. “Once that happens, you will see a real change in the attractiveness of 3D printing. Consumers will want to buy it for day-to-day purposes and one-offs. That’s a breakthrough that I think will happen soon.”
Katkoria’s main focus – he took up the position of commercial director last October – is the expansion of the top line revenue and profitability of CRDM, he said. “We have been recruiting sales staff and now have the largest sales team in CRDM’s history.” He said there would be a strong focus on niche rapid prototyping and low volume tooling projects. “Rapid prototyping is a strong part of our business and will continue to be.”
The company has been growing at about 20% each year. CRDM made a loss in the last two financial years but is expected to make a profit this year, Katkoria said. An individual process had grown by 60% during the last financial year.
Staff numbers have grown to 50 from about 40 last year. Like many other engineering businesses, CRDM had struggled to find enough suitably qualified staff, Katkoria said. “We find it difficult, which is surprising given the level of unemployment.”