Since acquiring our 3D printer, HJ Manufacturing Engineering have been using it extensively, fulfilling many functions from; visualisation of parts for design of manufacturing features & fixtures to investment & sand casting of prototypes. A recent project off the printer are patterns for HTX52 AB2 End Caps, the printer al-lowed us to meet delivery of first off cast parts without the need to lay down production patterns which would mean a delay of three to four weeks. Printing of the patterns & subsequent casting & machining of parts also enables us to optimise design for manufacture without the full cost of production tooling & the potential for non-optimised equipment being introduced to production.
Previously the printer has allowed us to apply design changes to cast parts for prove out before making a permanent pattern change & we made a 1/5th scale model of a full HTX30 jet used for visualisation & customer show & tell!
We routinely print patterns for stainless steel investment cast leading edge inserts & stainless-steel feeding aperture ceramics until production tooling can be brought on-line. Complex core assemblies are checked & developed, clearances & concepts worked out & proved out. Parts designed on one day can often be printed over-night while we sleep to be ready when we get to work the next morning. The days are rare where the printer is not making something!
