Uralvagonzavod launched an industrial 3D printer
Currently, prototype molds and rods are created on a 3D printer for casting parts for promising equipment samples as part of production diversification. The device provides high-speed printing of sand forms of various sizes. Thus, the creation of a product of the maximum size takes only about 16 hours. All printed forms have sufficient strength, high precision and quality.
The main advantage of additive technologies (i.e. layer-by-layer printing) is the creation of products with complex shapes that are difficult to repeat using traditional methods. 3D printing is ideal for prototyping and small batch production. As the chief specialist in digital technologies of the department of the chief metallurgist of the Uralvagonzavod Sergey Koscheev notes, thanks to printing on a 3D printer, material resources and time are saved. To create a form on a printer, you do not need to make tooling, which can take six months or more. Also, the advantage of printing on a 3D printer is the ability to quickly correct the 3D model. With the help of a 3D printer, the designer actually sends his product to print by pressing one button. Leading design engineer of the Chief Metallurgist Department Andrey Sukharev, Chief Specialist of the Department Sergey Koscheev and Design Engineer Konstantin Gudkov were trained to operate the machine.
The digital technology sector has already successfully used a 3D printer that prints with high-strength ABS plastic. It is designed for the manufacture of casting tools, negatives, molds, fixtures and visual models from plastic. To create a full cycle of modern engineering, an optical 3D scanner was purchased. In the near future, 7 factory workers will be trained to work on the new equipment.