The Röchling Direct Manufacturing Center (RDMC) in Waldachtal, which officially opened in May, is equipped with all commonly used printing technologies for additive series production.
Complex components and entire series made of plastic or metal are produced using 3D printing on the 500sqm site. ‘We are delighted that with the RDMC, we now have a place where the entire expertise in the area of additive manufacturing from our three divisions is bundled and continuously enhanced,’ said Prof. Hanns-Peter Knaebel, President and CEO of the Röchling Group.
‘Despite the current protective measures implemented in the context of the coronavirus pandemic, we completed the construction project on time, thanks to the outstanding commitment of the teams at our location in Waldachtal,’ said managing director Jens Harmeling.
His colleague on the management team, Dr. Axel Höfter, added, ‘Our customers will be mainly existing customers of the divisions, and our focus will be on series production. We have already implemented the first projects for this successfully.’ For the Industrial division, for example, they produce a component known as a trailing edge serration that helps to reduce the noise of wind turbines; the latest development stage of this is now being manufactured additively. Prototypes for a new active grille shutter model are being produced for the Automotive division, and the RDMC is printing cores for injection moulding tools with conformal cooling for the production of a tracheal tube (wind-pipe tube) for the Medical division.
Additive manufacturing is quick to use and can be tailored to individual requirements. During the current coronavirus pandemic, the RDMC is producing an attachment for door handles that allows doors to be opened and closed using the forearm. This is intended for the Röchling locations in order to prevent the virus from spreading within the company. A prototype of a face mask with a visor has also been printed and is now being produced by Röchling Medical.
To submit your news please, contact journo@practicalpublishing.co.za
Submit your news and video content to journo@practicalpublishing.co.za
Subscribe to our YouTube channel, read the top 5 stories weekly on WhatsApp or sign up to our newsletter.
MAIZEY (ENGINEERING)
(+27 11) 568 4000
epp@maizey.co.za
https://maizeyepp.co.za/
