Additive Minds
Assembly Line
Atlas Copco cuts production lead times by 90% and costs by 30% with EOS polymer 3D printing technology
Atlas Copco has reported production cost reductions of 30% and lead time reductions of 92% since transitioning to in-house polymer additive manufacturing. Installing an EOS P396 3D printer, Atlas Copco has said it has been able to shorten its supply chain and lower its environmental impact, in addition to the cost and time savings.
As a result of this process, Atlas Copco installed an EOS P 396 machine, with support for 14 materials and 26 parameter sets. Combining the machine with the DyeMansion DM60 colouring solution, the EOS P 396 system is supporting production and new product designs, with the dyeing step allowing Atlas Copco to highlight where certain safety equipment should be used by operators on automotive production lines.
By bringing the technology in-house, Atlas Copco needs fewer third-party components, has reduced supply chain lead times and transport delays, and cut lead times of up to 12 weeks down to 3-4 days. By cutting out transport steps, it has reduced its impact on the environment, and the company also now has more precise control over production schedules, meaning it can support customer with unplanned orders that have quick turnaround requirements. In addition to this, Atlas Copco has reduced supply chain and person-hours, while eliminating retooling delays. This has resulted in a 30% reduction in production costs. Waste is said to have been cut to zero from around 7%.