Smart Molding International 2-2022

41 additive manufacturing www.smart-molding.com T he French multinational Saint- Gobain, dedicated to the manu- facture of glazing for multiple industrial sectors, has found 3D print- ing technology developed by the Bar- celona-based multinational BCN3D to be the perfect ally for increasing the efficiency of its manufacturing pro- cesses. BCN3D’s 3D printers and various in- novative technological solutions now enable Saint-Gobain engineers at its plant in L’Arboç, Barcelona, to signifi- cantly improve efficiency in the manu- facturing processes of parts and com- ponents for its automotive customers including Daimler Mercedes, Stellantis Group, Volkswagen Group, Renault Dacia and Ford. By creating 3D printed tooling, the French giant’s Spanish fac- tory has improved and reduced costs and times by manufacturing tooling implemented in automated lines. This success story exemplifies how BCN3D’s 3D printing technology can be of great assistance to the automotive sector and consolidates the additive manufacturing solutions manufacturer based in Gavà, Barcelona, as a strategic partner of this industrial sector world- wide. This case shortly follows the incorporation of its equipment in the production plants of Seat and Nissan in recent years. Since 2019, Saint-Gobain’s Sekurit business unit at the L’Arboç plant – where 19 million different automotive glazing units (backlites and sidelites) are produced per year – has incorpo- rated 3D printing technology after out- sourcing for years the manufacture of tooling that it entrusted to mechanized processes with much higher costs com- pared to 3D printing. The incorporation of this additive manufacturing technology has since enabled Saint-Gobain’s Spanish plant to save around 170,000 euros and reduce its lead times for tooling by 93%. The 3D printed parts take the form of tools, jigs, and fixtures all the way through to quality control. 3D printing revolutionizes production at Saint Gobain Saint-Gobain’s Barcelona plant has incorporated 3D printing technology (including IDEX Technology) in its work- shop with several BCN3D Epsilon W50 series printers and Smart Cabinets, making it easier for the multinational to develop new ideas, easily and con- veniently create new prototypes in a shorter period of time compared to other machining technologies, and carry out tests and end-use parts in a matter of days, all while maintaining the highest quality. Additive manufacturing integrated into automation Saint-Gobain integrates additive manufacturing into tooling that facili- tates the production of rear and side panels for vehicles. The process begins with a fully automated robot line: the glazing is cut to shape, the sides are smoothed and designated aesthetic details are added. The glazing is then collected and placed in an oven to create the curves. Fresh from the furnace, the glazing is checked for dimensions and quality, and then sorted into pass or fail for manual checking. BCN3D www.bcn3d.com At the French multinational facility in l’Arboç (Barcelona), 3D printers from BCN3D are used to manufacture tooling such as templates and positioning fixtures that contribute to more efficient glazing production lines. Elevating efficiency of automotive production line Picture source: BCN3D