3D printing meets high-tech industries: toolcraft uses TRUMPF's overall solutions for additive manufacturing

toolcraft is a pioneer in new manufacturing technologies, such as 3D printing in metal, and the construction of customised turnkey robot solutions. Their customers come from the aviation and aerospace industry, the semiconductor industry, medical technology, as well as the automotive and energy sectors. A close, partner-like cooperation with the development departments of customers, research institutes and universities is an integral part of the company philosophy. Here toolcraft always aims to be directly involved in the development of new trend technologies, and to be able to offer the best complete solution on the market together with their partners. From the idea, to production, right up to the qualified part – the company covers the entire process chain in-house.

Challenges

Around seven years ago, the management board of toolcraft made a landmark decision: 3D printing using metal was to be the next innovative production technology that the company was going to invest all of its efforts in. The high-tech company looked for a partner on the same wavelength to introduce a complete solution – a partner that you could deliver top performance with. To this end, the company tested systems from different manufacturers of additive manufacturing systems on the market.

Solution

As a customer in the field of laser marking systems, toolcraft was already familiar with and had valued TRUMPF for many years as an expert and pioneer in the field of laser processing. As they were a satisfied customer, the company also included TRUMPF as a manufacturer of 3D printers for industrial manufacturing in the selection process. toolcraft were above all impressed by TRUMPF's overall concept comprised of sophisticated machines, external part and powder management, intelligent monitoring solutions, as well as comprehensive services and digitalisation solutions – and they made the decision to invest in several TRUMPF machines. toolcraft was also delighted by the high machine utilisation rate. This is because build and supply cylinders can be changed quickly and safely for work parallel to production, meaning that downtime is reduced to a minimum.

Implementation

toolcraft invested in the construction of a new additive manufacturing hall. When fitting it out with equipment, toolcraft decided on several TruPrint 3000 systems as these are fully integrated solutions and have optimal peripheral solutions before and after the LMF process. The specialists were particularly impressed by the fact that, compared to other systems, the part and powder management process is much improved and can be easily integrated. Furthermore, the intelligent monitoring solutions ensure optimal transparency over the LMF process. Another advantage was that the system and the laser come from the same company and are perfectly coordinated with each other.

Outlook

toolcraft has since invested in their fifth TruPrint 3000 system. Together with TRUMPF, the company would like to continue shaping the additive manufacturing process in an even more cost-effective manner, and to further improve performance and component quality, for example, as regards the parameters. Both toolcraft and TRUMPF are convinced that both companies can continue to benefit from the partner-based collaboration in the future, and that they can advance additive manufacturing technology with combined efforts.