K3D, a Dutch metal additive manufacturing operator, has reached the milestone of one million produced parts. With equipment ranging from the MetalFab 300 Flex to Additive Industries' automated G2 system, the company reports utilization rates of 95%. According to its technical director, Jaap Bulsink, this reliability allows for better customer service and positions K3D as a relevant player in Europe.
G2 Automation and Series Production in Brainport 🏭
The G2 system, developed by Additive Industries from Eindhoven, is the core of this efficiency. K3D operates in the eastern Netherlands and the Brainport region, where it integrates the G2 to move from prototypes to large series. Automation reduces downtime and manual errors, which explains that 95% utilization rate. The combination of robust hardware and management software allows K3D to compete in high-tech and energy sectors without relying on constant supervision.
And to think it used to be done with screws and patience 🤖
A million printed metal parts sounds like science fiction, but K3D has achieved it while some are still debating whether 3D printing is good for anything more than keychains. With 95% machine usage, they barely have time to oil the gears. Jaap Bulsink must be so busy he probably dreams about layers of metal powder instead of sheep. So now you know: if you need a titanium part, K3D prints it before you finish reading this paragraph.