Success7

Success under Pressure at Graco, Inc.

"With each design change we were able to build new models quickly" says engineering group leader Dave Thompson. "Sometimes we built multiple iterations of a component in one day. Trying to create that many models using SLA or SLS parts from service bureaus would have been cost — and time-prohibitive. "

" We ran it nearly 24/7 for the first eleven months, producing enough parts to have paid for the machine a few times over. Much like a paper printer, it has become a regular fixture in our design process: We run everything from scaled-down complete units for show, to functional spray guns, clips, fans, and more."

Dimension 3D printing can help you quickly fine tune designs and cut weeks — even months — from your development schedule. Now you can test form, fit and function and explore as many design iterations as you like —over your network, right from your desktop.

An essential tool for everyone on the design team.

Graco built functional ABS models from parts produced on the Dimension 3D Printer for lab and field testing. Their new spray texture gun was designed to deliver ceiling, wall, and floor coatings from a pressurized hopper or pump. During lab and field tests functional ABS models successfully operated at pressures up to 60 psi.

Kirby Morgan Cuts Diving Equipment Design
Process in Half With Dimension 3D Printer

Kirby Morgan receives time sensitive requests from a variety of organizations, requiring rapid product design and redesign. Delivering the high-quality product Kirby Morgan has built its reputation on within a tightened time frame can be a major challenge. Kirby Morgan’s dive systems are precision crafted to

“Dimension was the obvious choice for us,” Ryan said. “The durability and accuracy of the models produced meets our high standards and the purchase price of the Dimension 3D Printer was highly competitive.” — Pete Ryan, senior engineer, Kirby Morgan Dive Systems Product Development

“At the extreme depths that many of our customers are required to work at, there is no room for error,” said Pete Ryan, senior engineer, Kirby Morgan Dive Systems Product Development. “Divers require us to provide safe, reliable, underwater breathing equipment, sometimes tailored specifically to their needs.”

With a rich history of providing cutting edge equipment, Kirby Morgan Dive Systems, Inc. thrives on delivering innovative, fail-safe products to the diving community. From commercial diving helmets to scuba regulators, Kirby Morgan dive systems are frequently designed to accommodate unique diving applications and extreme environments.

Kirby Morgan was in search of a more time-efficient process to build accurate, cost-effective 3D models used in the development of its dive systems. By bringing 3D printing capabilities in-house, they sought to cut model production time and to obtain complete control over the product design process.

Success Stories

The Dimension Solution

gun and nozzle combinations to create the perfect spray pattern and volume. Graco estimates Dimension helped reduce development time by as much as 75%.

The Graco Inc. Contractor Equipment Division manufactures paint spraying and texturing equipment for professional contractors and tradesmen. Recently Graco designed a spray texture gun based on functional models built with tough ABS plastic parts from a Dimension 3D printer.

The Dimension 3D Printer allowed Graco designers to quickly experiment with various

The Dimension Solution

withstand the intense rigors of any diving environment. Designs must be thoroughly tested to ensure the highest levels of quality and reliability are achieved, regardless of deadline.

“Some of our new product designs and improvements require us to move ahead pretty quickly,” Ryan said. “The designs we create often require a lot of adjustments, handwork and multiple 3D models before a final version has been approved.”

Kirby Morgan has experienced significant success since the purchase of the Dimension 3D printer. When the U.S. Military requested a modified regulator with a higher level of breathing performance than the standard unit Kirby Morgan was producing, the Dimension 3D printer was put to the test.

With the Dimension 3D printer, Kirby Morgan was able to maintain its high standard of quality while meeting the U.S. Military’s request for fast delivery. Kirby Morgan created several models of the two new components, evaluated the models, made modifications and had the special regulator finished and delivered to the U.S. Military in just one week – cutting weeks off the standard completion time required when Kirby Morgan outsourced 3D model production.

“In the past, we were unable to fill custom product requests in such a short time period,” Ryan said. “The modified regulator we developed for the U.S. Military displayed the major speed and efficiency improvements you can achieve with the introduction of an in-house Dimension 3D printer.”

The Dimension 3D printer has consistently provided Kirby Morgan with durable models that can be tested and retested during the evaluation process. The 3D printer also has increased the production team’s efficiency during the design process by enabling them to cut model production time and the time required for the product review process.

“We now have a much higher level of control over the timing of the product design phase,” Ryan said. “Since adding the Dimension 3D printer, we have averaged a 50 percent reduction in time spent on product design.”

An essential tool for everyone on the design team.

Tekpro Provide Solutions That:

REDUCE

TIme to Market

LOWER

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Manufacturing Costs

LOWER

FORTUS 3D
PRODUCTION SYSTEMS

DIMENSION
3D PRINTERS

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APPLICATIONS