3D printing and additive manufacturing solution maker Stratasys has announced that Volvo Trucks is using its additive manufacturing technology at Volvo’s facility in Lyon, France.
According to Stratasys, the technology has helped the Swedish auto maker to decrease the turnaround time of assembly line manufacturing tools by more than 94%.
According Volvo Trucks manufacturing director Pierre Jenny, the Stratasys Fortus 3D Production System has helped the company cut the design and manufacturing time.
Jenny added that certain tools that were traditionally produced in metal in 36 days now took just two days to manufacture using thermoplastic ABSplususing material.
Volvo Trucks has already used Stratasys' additive manufacturing technology to 3D printed more than 30 different production tools including lightweight clamps, jigs, supports and even ergonomically-designed tool holders.
Volvo Trucks technical manager Jean-Marc Robin said: "We're working in the heavy-industry sector, so reliability is naturally critical. So far, every piece that we have 3D printed has proved to be 100% fit-for-purpose.
"This is crucial from a practical aspect, but also instils trust among operators and quashes any traditional notion that everything has to be made from metal in order to function properly."
