Smart Molding International 1-2024

44 smart_molding international 1/2024 additive manufacturing KIMYA and CAMBOX: the continuation of a “French tech” collaboration All the plastic components of the CAMBOX onboard cameras are manufactured using the industrial 3D printing process and KIMYA ABS-S filaments. C AMBOX, a French manufacturer of unique onboard cameras in the world, designs, manufac- tures, and assembles its models in Clisson (Loire-Atlantique department, France). Their specific features include ergonomic and boomerang-shaped design, allowing the device to be po- sitioned in helmets or under visors, in front of the user’s forehead, just above the eyes. This safe placement for the user allows, during viewing, a perfect restitution of what the user is looking at, thus producing a feel- ing of total immersion. All the plastic components of the CAMBOX onboard cameras are manufactured using the industrial 3D printing process and KIMYA filaments. Industrial 3D Printing at CAMBOX Following the launch of CAMBOX in the early 2010s and after exploring various production options, industrial 3D printing emerged as the most flexible and agile solution for manufacturing camera parts. Initially, CAMBOX set up an industrial 3D printing park with several dozen Zortrax machines, situated directly within the premises. This farm further expanded in the second half of 2023 with the addition of ten new industrial 3D printers, bringing the total to 48 machines. With a commitment to both “Made in France” and short supply chains – with Cambox’s premises being less than 15km from KIMYA’s production site – CAMBOX then launched the first onboard cameras with parts made from KIMYA ABS-S filaments in September 2020. The KIMYA ABS-S 3D Filament CAMBOX was in search of a 3D material that offered a matte black finish and a surface quality true to thermoplastic. The specifications also called for heat resistance, due to the camera’s use. The optimal solution to meet CAMBOX’s needs was the KIMYA ABS-S filament: a standard filament that withstands high temperatures (up to 90°C) and has a refined surface state. It also has the characteristic of being impact resistant, a necessary feature for an onboard camera. Moreover, KIMYA combined a trio of benefits that reinforced CAMBOX’s choice of this partner: “With 2.2 kg spools – compared to 750 g previously – our maintenance operations are reduced by three, allowing us to make significant labor savings. This type of packaging produces three times less waste – empty spools and ABS plastic scraps -, which are moreover collected by KIMYA. The savings in transportation costs are also significant, thanks to our geographical proximity.” Pierre-Antoine Pluvinage, Associate CEO at CAMBOX. A Sustainable Partnership More recently, in addition to the KIMYA ABS-S filament, CAMBOX has introduced another 3D filament into its production process, the KIMYA Tough PLA-HI. This filament is particularly notable for its significant mechanical strength, four times higher than a standard PLA filament. “The rigidity, flexibility, and resistance of the KIMYA Tough PLA-HI filament are ideal for making the frames of our V3+ onboard cameras. In summary, it’s fast, it’s solid, and it’s flexible!”, concludes Pierre-Antoine Pluvinage. KIMYA www.kimya.fr Picture: CAMBOX