USA & Canada
USA & Canada
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Case Study

P3 Technology Use Case For Auto A-Pillar Latch Tool Handle

July 20, 2023

P3 Technology produces the right 3D printed surface finish for Valiant TMS.

Intelligent Automation Solutions for Aerospace and Automotive Industries

Valiant TMS develops intelligent production automation systems for automotive and aircraft manufacturing companies worldwide. Valiant TMS leverages current technologies, such as additive manufacturing, to meet its customer’s requirements, and the Valiant TMS Additive Manufacturing Lab has multiple systems capable of printing polymer and metal.

valiant use case tool handle render in cad

The Challenge: Meeting Ergonomic Requirements with Smooth Surface Finish

A new hand tool used to attach an auto A-pillar door latch required a combination of ergonomics, strength, and minimal weight. Engineers wanted to 3D print the tool since it would meet these requirements better than a machined metal alternative. However, an essential aspect of the ergonomic design was achieving a very smooth, no-defect surface finish in a material that would provide sufficient strength.

The Solution: Leveraging P3 Technology on the Origin One 3D Printer

The Valiant TMS Additive Manufacturing Lab chose to print the latch tool with the Origin One 3D printer using advanced digital light processing (DLP) P3 technology. The Origin One offered benefits on multiple fronts, including a broad range of materials and an injection mold-like surface finish. In addition, engineers used Dura56, a photopolymer material developed by Loctite® specifically for the Stratasys Origin One, for its quick print speed and high impact toughness. P3 technology on the Origin One is also more isotropic, offering higher strength than non-isotropic additive methods.

The Impact: Significant Cost Reduction and Faster Print Time with Dura56 Material

3D printing the tool with the Origin One resulted in a 78% cost reduction and 79% faster print time compared to other additive processes.

Additionally, the combination of the Origin One and Dura56 material achieved a very smooth surface finish, which provides a comfortable grip for operators repetitively using the tool on the assembly line.

P3 Technology Feature of Origin One Build Chamber.

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Download the this use case in PDF format. You'll learn how Valiant TMS decreased print production time by 79% with a bonus of 78% cost savings compared to their prior methods.

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