The trade of boilermaking, traditionally linked to the hammer and sheet metal, is finding a practical ally in 3D technology. From designing complex parts to manufacturing molds, 3D printing helps reduce errors and adjustment times. A clear example: creating a polyamide template to mark exact cuts on a boiler, avoiding the classic measure twice, cut once that never quite works.
From sheet metal to digital model: programs and workflow 🛠️
To apply this technology, you need 3D modeling software like Fusion 360 or SolidWorks, which allow you to design the part and export it in STL format. Then, a slicer like Cura or PrusaSlicer prepares the file for the printer. With a basic FDM printer (like a Creality Ender 3), positioning jigs or welding stops are made in PLA or PETG. This reduces assembly time and the likelihood of having to redo a misaligned weld bead.
The boilermaker and the 3D printer: a noisy friendship 🔧
At first, seeing a boilermaker with a 3D printer is like seeing a blacksmith with a silk apron. But when you try printing a template to drill eight holes in a curved flange, and you don't have to redo the work because you got the angle wrong, you wonder why you didn't do it sooner. Sure, the printer emits melted plastic fumes, but at least it's not the smoke from your own botched jobs.