In addition to reducing time and cost, the additive manufacturing technology also minimizes waste. The parts are ‘built’ layer by layer instead of being ‘machined out’ of larger blocks of material, as in the traditional method of subtractive manufacturing, and use biodegradable PLA (polylactic acid).

Chris Lee, Process Engineer at ELC’s Whitman Plant said,

“Although our primary reason for adopting the new 3D printing technology was to keep up with the latest innovation in manufacturing, 3D printing is also helping us to quickly and more effectively problem-solve many more challenges than we ever could have imagined.”

He continued,

“Thanks to the use of the technology, it’s now possible to design and test new machine parts in hours instead of weeks or months, and for as little as $1.31, or £1.00, per part rather than thousands of pounds.” Moving forward, ELC’s Whitman team plans to continue this success with the introduction of a 3D printing ‘vending machine,’ which will include an LCD touch-screen to enable individual engineers on the production line to view, select and print new parts from a digital catalog of options.

Increasingly the team of engineers at Whitman are building new design software skills in-house. In addition, awareness sessions are planned at ELC’s manufacturing facilities in Switzerland and Belgium to expand this evolutionary way of working.

3D printing is just one example of how ELC is embedding modern innovation along its value chain by adopting new technology in company-owned manufacturing, packaging, distribution and retail facilities around the world.