Bridging the AM generation gap

Livonia, Michigan – What is known today as 3D printing has gone through many different phases since it was invented as a means for rapid prototyping. While for decades, costs, and efficiency rates made industrial 3D printers feasible only for the production of single and unique objects and parts, it soon grew into a means for rapid manufacturing of very small series. 

The number of parts that can be manufactured has continued to grow, so that a new phrase was created to describe it: additive manufacturing. Today the number of parts that can be manufactured additively is growing exponentially and for many companies this means experiencing a generational gap – as going from prototype to series production requires an entirely new approach.

That is where Livonia, Mich.-based Linear Mold & Engineering can step in by offering a complete package that enables customers to take a new product or from a prototype to series production idea in a streamlined process.

“Production is the Holy Grail for 3D metal printing,” says Bruce Colter, new business development director - additive manufacturing at Linear Mold & Engineering. “Through our ‘AM – Actual Manufacturing’ services we are providing a complete solution to our clients. That is we can supply both prototyping and production services for companies that operate in the aerospace & defense, medical, energy as well as oil & gas fields.”

To meet ever-increasing demand, Linear recently announced plans to add up to 32 new DMLS machines and more staff. 

As a solutions provider, even before being a service provider, Linear can cover every aspect of production for highly diverse customers. The company was born to service the automotive industry and it has since expanded into six additional vertical markets, where its structure can meet the requirements of local giants such as Fortune 100 companies in energy, oil & gas, aerospace and medical devices, as well as those with a smaller presence in the USA. 

“We can offer them tangible benefits of cost-savings & profit making from solutions in supply chain optimization, improved time-to-market capabilities, affordable complex production parts, elimination of tooling and sustainable & energy efficient product development,” Colter says. 

These are all the advantages that advanced 3D printing technologies have made possible in recent years.

Source: Linear Mold & Engineering