Facility Readiness

Preparing Your Facility for Industrial 3D Printing

Understanding what it takes, how to get there, and when to begin preparing for additive manufacturing in-house

Whether you are still considering the pros and cons of implementing additive manufacturing (AM) on your production floor or preparing for system delivery, you need to know what is required of your organization before the actual 3D printer installation.

The 3D printing process can unlock hidden benefits across your application portfolio and increase your production of enhanced parts. Understanding the preparation, the process, and the procedures that are required to set your organization up for success when it comes to bringing industrial 3D printing technology in-house are all part of the journey.

Explore and learn more about facility readiness from the EOS teams who guide our customers through installations each day. We’re here to provide your organization with the best 3D printer tools and insider tips to implementing AM on your shop floor regardless of your familiarity with EOS systems.

Preparing your shop floor

An EOS 3D printer may require modifications to your production facility. Being prepared for those changes and creating a plan for your system delivery is key to a streamlined installation.

Considerations for installation

An EOS system has specific installation requirements. Some printer settings correspond to the size and power brought by the large system set-up, and others maximize the safety of your machine operators.

Location

Although many machine shops tend to utilize large, open air system bays for their production needs, a 3D printer needs to be separated based on your chosen 3D printing material and other traditional manufacturing machines. Regardless of the size and type of 3D printer, picking a location where it is independent of other large-scale manufacturing devices and has a suitable environment for powder material storage.

Accessibility

From the stepper motor and build plate to the print head and extruder – excellent print quality depends on the intricate interplay of multiple components. Being able to easily access every last screw of your 3D printer, peripheral products, and connections allows for flexibility on your shop floor.

Atmosphere

Consider the atmosphere of the room that will house your 3D printer, or even material and finished 3D printed parts. The temperature and humidity of the room can not only affect the materials that live in that area, but the productivity of your system as well.

Peripheral products

Peripheral products such as post-processing equipment, power-assisting devices, gas connections, and air compressor units are all part of the machine footprint that will be housed in your machine shop. These all need to be accounted for when considering the weight, dimensions, and connections needed for this location within your shop floor.

Personal protection equipment

Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) is a part of operating any large, high-powered manufacturing system. PPE can look different for a variety of systems, and with industrial 3D printing technology, particularly metal systems, there are specific protective equipment requirements for servicing the system.

Practicing safety around your system

Despite state-of-the-art design and technical measures, there are still risks to operating and housing an industrial 3D printing system if executed incorrectly. Educating your team on the procedures and potential hazards that come with handling print settings or powder is the best way to safely navigate a new piece of machinery on your shop floor. When you purchase an industrial 3D printer, you will receive multiple safety guidelines and operational procedures on how to safeguard your team. Until then, here are a few safety guidelines topics that will be covered when it comes time to install your 3D printing system:

Metal and polymer material handling: Material handling is important to the environment surrounding the system and the health of your operators. Following proper procedure for material handling will mitigate many of the potential hazards associated with using both types of AM materials.
Inert and argon gas safety: Inert and argon gas can affect oxygen levels in an enclosed space. Proper disposal and discharge of the gas should be established before using both gasses to power your 3D printer.
Cleaning equipment: Using the correct cleaning equipment both improves the operation of your AM system and ensures the safety of your team while the system is in use.
Fire and explosion prevention: Leveraging your AM system safety procedures is required for fire and explosion prevention. Items such as PPE, the antistatic mat, the wet separator, inert gas supply, and proper material storage all play a role in reducing risk.
Electromagnetic compatibility: EOS systems are ISM devices, which means high-frequency devices such as mobile phones can interfere with operation of the system. Do not operate any equipment that emits high-frequency radiation in the room where the machine is installed.
Thermal and chemical hazards: The parts and the print bed of your system are hot during the build process, immediately after, and during the cooling period. Wearing your PPE can protect your team against physical contact with a printed part.
Proper material and liquid disposal: Disposal of metal and polymer powder must be in accordance with the local and national regulations. All rooms in which the machine stands or in which metal powder is stored must also be in accordance with your state.

How to prepare your machine shop for an industrial 3D printer

If you are beginning your 3D printing journey and interested in learning more about what it takes to bring a 3D model to life on your shop floor, these key topics will set your organization up for seamless and efficient installation.