Until recently 3D Printing technology has been perceived as a technological novelty. Nowadays not only is it presented in world’s biggest trade fairs but it also became an integral part of machinery park of many manufacturing plants. BORG Automotive has recently become one of the companies implementing additive manufacturing as component production process.
BORG Automotive is a European group of thriving enterprises working in the automotive industry. It is headquartered in Denmark and has a production plant and distribution center in Poland. The company are specialists in sales, production and distribution in the auto aftermarket. The company’s domain is remanufacturing alternators, starters, A/C compressors, brake calipers to all popular car makes, as well as agricultural and construction machines.
Constant commitment to quality of work and products has made BORG one of Europe’s largest independent remanufacturing companies. Among BORG’s most recent achievements is regenerating alternators with starter function used in the start/stop systems.
Quality and innovation
Production in BORG Automotive is based on the principles of lean manufacturing where all processes are optimized in terms of high production quality and shortest possible realization time. Every stage of technological process is monitored to make sure that the consumers will be able to appreciate high quality of the product.
It is a natural part of our work to test manufactured products. We also put a lot of focus into the issue of R&D. In our research lab we are capable of testing our products under heavy loads in extreme temperatures and weather conditions. We are able to create new products as well as enhance the ones that are already on the market. The use of 3D Printers has definitely made the work more efficient – says Grzegorz Stępień R&D Technologist in BORG Automotive.
Flexibility and cost reduction
BORG Automotive uses 3D Printers to produce components made of synthetic materials no longer available to purchase. The main feature of elements created in high temperature print technology is elevated thermal and mechanical endurance. Contracting out the production of such components requires complex logistic procedures and is too costly and time-consuming.
VSHAPER printers enable us to retain flexibility and independence. We can reduce the cost of production, which gives us an advantage over competition – adds Grzegorz Stępień.
The users of the printers at BORG Automotive make a strong point that the quality and precision of the product, as well as close proximity of the service station were the decisive factors in choosing the printer. The ability to work continuously was also taken into consideration when deciding on the purchase of the device. It is a very important factor in the case of the printer being used for industrial purpose.
Automotive and 3D Printing technology development
More and more companies in automotive industry are interested in printing construction elements having virtues similar to that of metal. Observing the development of 3D Printing in the recent years, it becomes apparent that automotive is its biggest recipient – says Tomasz Szymański, the founder and CEO of Verashape.
3D Printing technology, until recently, has been used mainly in the process of rapid prototyping of models serving as a base for testing parts. Implementing additive manufacturing in a small-lot production in BORG Automotive serves as a perfect example of changing its use in production processes. The phenomenon of using the printers to produce fully functional parts in automotive has become more common.