New 3D printed tools enables prototyping in half the time

By combining modern 3D print, traditional injection moulding and tool construction, Carmo can now develop functional prototypes with their customers in short time and at half the price.

Carmo has delivered components for the medical end technical industries for many years. Carmo recently revolutionized its production of plastic components. Anders Johnsen, Head of R&D and Technology in Carmo, explains:

”Three years ago, we bought our first 3D printer, and we have invested in Additive Manufacturing hardware and knowhow continuously. Since then, we have experimented with the technology in order to investigate the possibilities of combining Additive Manufacturing with our injection moulding. Now, we have developed a unique set-up that enables us to manufacture injection moulded components based on a 3D printed form. This opens for entirely new opportunities, since we can print the tools ourself in the process of developing prototypes with our customers.”

 

 

 

 

From overall design to functional prototype

When the start-up company EYE-GO contacted Carmo, it had an overall design to an advanced medical device. By using Carmo’s new technique, they developed a fully functional prototype consisting of more than 20 parts in only eight months. Henrik Nagel, CEO at EYE-Go, explains:

”The cooperation with Carmo has been a complete game-changer in the development of our product. It has given us the possibility to mature our design and establish proof-of-concept on our product in a very short time and at much lower costs than by traditional prototyping. Both are crucial factors for every start-up company.”

A solution with many advantages

There are many reasons that the new production set-up works so well. Anders Johnsen explains:

”Basically, we can manufacture the prototypes much faster. We don’t have to wait three to six weeks to get the tool we need for the injection moulding of the parts, because now we can print the tools ourselves in one day. The short production time enables many iterations, and we can print different versions of the tools, so that the customer can clarify different design solutions and can experiment with very small tolerances. Thus, we can develop a much better product in close cooperation with the customer.”

Anders Johnsen also explains that the set-up means that Carmo can experiment with the choice of material and offer the customers prototypes that are manufacture in the materials that will be used in the final product:

”In this way, the prototypes are ready for the customer to perform the necessary tests and verifications. It is a major advantage for our customers and one of the biggest advantages of our solution compared to traditional 3D print.”

It takes great insight in plastic process to be able to offer Carmo’s solution. Anders Johnsen explains:

”In principle, everyone can acquire a 3D printer. However, the value is really added in the combination of our in-depth knowledge of plastic process and the customers possibility of testing a long range of variants over a short period to find the components with just the right characteristics.”

If you are interested in learning more about our unique solution for prototyping, please go to our section about custom design.

Read more about Carmo Print Moulding

 

Any questions?

If you want to know more about Carmo Print Moulding, or anything else, please contact us for more information. Please call +45 4912 2100, fill out our form on www.carmo.dk/contact/ or send a mail to denmark@carmo.dk.