Hydroforming Design Light AB has used its Color Jet Printer to create 3D physical models of part designs in full color to express to customers exactly how their models are superior to stamped or drawn parts. "You cannot underestimate the power of holding a full-scale physical model in your hands, turning it, grabbing it, examining it," says Alms. "It really makes a 2D picture of the analysis results obsolete. Customers are impressed and absorb the information better. 3D printing has made a big difference in our ability to demonstrate the added value of hydroformed parts, and as a result to secure business."
Creating 3D physical models has also enabled Hydroforming Design Light AB to save time and money by ensuring parts fit correctly in tooling and parts assemblies. "We don't assume we know that a part fits before we invest in tooling," he says. "In fact, we often print section models of assemblies, say, an engine with a part embedded inside."
The company's design cycles range from a week to three months depending on the product, and they're getting shorter according to Alm: "Because of our improved ability to communicate our value to customers and eliminate errors in design and manufacturing, we've been able to shorten our design and production cycle by approximately 40 percent."
Just as important, customers are impressed by 3D printing. "Rapid prototyping is not yet prevalent in Sweden," says Alm. "3D printing helps us position ourselves as technology leaders, which is an accurate message because we are technology leaders."