3iD Printing Automates Post-Processing to Boost Production
Belgian 3D printing service provider 3iD Printing is integrating an automated post-processing line from AM-Flow to streamline part handling, identification, and sorting, aiming to increase production volumes and efficiency.
3iD Printing, an industrial 3D printing service provider based in Belgium, is enhancing its production capabilities with the installation of an automated post-processing line from Dutch company AM-Flow. This new system integrates three key components: AM-Feed for part feeding, AM-Vision for identification, and AM-Sort for sorting, eliminating the need for manual labeling and significantly reducing labor-intensive steps.
The additive manufacturing industry has seen rapid advancements in 3D printing technology itself, but the post-processing stages have historically lagged behind. Manual identification and sorting of finished parts have become a bottleneck for manufacturers aiming to scale production volumes. 3iD's investment in this automated line is designed to address this challenge by minimizing repetitive manual handling, reducing the potential for human error, and allowing operators to focus on higher-value tasks.
The AM-Flow line operates in a sequential process. AM-Feed initiates the workflow by detaching individual parts from the build plate and feeding them onto automated conveyors at a rate of up to 720 parts per hour. An integrated LIDAR camera monitors part placement on the belt, managing the flow to prevent congestion or collisions, a process AM-Flow states can be up to ten times faster than manual handling.
Following AM-Feed, AM-Vision utilizes machine vision to identify each part by its geometry, cross-referencing it with digital production records without the need for barcodes or physical tags. This system then directs the part to either immediate sorting or an additional quality check. Finally, AM-Sort routes each completed part to the correct customer order, subsequent finishing process, or shipping area, ensuring a traceable record from printing to dispatch.
This development highlights the critical need for automation in the post-processing stages of additive manufacturing to match the increasing speed of 3D printing. By automating identification and sorting, 3iD Printing aims to overcome a significant production bottleneck, enabling scalability and improving traceability, which is crucial for industries requiring strict quality control and efficient supply chains.
Edited by the news editor with AI from the original report — please refer to the original source.