R&D Pods with existing technology transfer programs

Livonia, Michigan – Many companies that have and operate 3D printers sometimes fail to understand that the actual 3D printing is only a part of the entire production process. This begins in the design phase, where engineers need to understand the complexities of creating virtual objects that are to be printed and exist physically.

In 90% of cases, it ends with finishing, in order to obtain a high quality surface appearance and feel. While 3D printing is done by a machine, the other two phases require skills that come from a long experience in working with prototyping and 3D modeling for additive manufacturing.

Linear Mold & Engineering acquired its first AM system in 2005 and, although the company has grown to more than 100 employees, it is now entering its biggest growth phase yet. To further fuel this momentum, Linear has recently announced plans to add up to 32 new DMLM machines and more staff. Along with the firm’s ability to offer design support, technical services, and turnkey solutions, this has brought Linear to introduce the new R&D Pods.

“Our customers asked us if we could provide them with a secure room for development of new materials & intellectual property development, prototype candidate parts and production possible parts. Some even wanted to bring in physicists & metallurgists to look at modifications to the DMLM process for their specific applications. We thus decided that we would provide an entirely dedicated, secure space, along with the equipment and personnel to run the process for them,” explains Bruce Colter, new business development director - additive manufacturing at Linear.

A single place to go from training to prototyping and production is key to meet that which is one of the most pressing issues for innovative companies working with advanced technologies: copyright and idea protection. Linear can design the part for its clients or teach them how to design it for themselves. “At Linear you have the widest and deepest options of any service and any solution provider in North America,” Colter says.

Colter explains that Linear can provide training, staffing, and consulting through its Linear Technical Services. “Linear offers an onsite solution that we call a ‘Center of Excellence’. It consists of the complete 3D Metal Printing process, which includes designing, building, and finishing of parts. Through the staff and equipment provided by Linear, clients are able to make the parts they need in days instead of months. The entire process can be as fast as two to three weeks if Linear is executing the entire DMLM process, or somewhat longer depending on the client’s specific requests, though never more than six to eight weeks to go from start to finish.”

Source: Linear Mold & Engineering