Bulgarian company DHR Engineering has significantly improved its CNC automation processes by using the Bambu Lab X1C 3D printer. The company, which specialises in the automation of CNC factories in the USA, uses 3D printing to produce alignment tools, jigs and fixtures for its automation systems.
CEO Dimitar Hristakiev emphasises the importance of 3D printing for the company: ‘90% of our printed parts are alignment tools for various components such as workpieces, tools and cutting inserts. These parts play a crucial role for precise positioning in our robotic systems.’
Prior to the introduction of the Bambu Lab X1C, DHR Engineering said it struggled with numerous challenges. Unreliable printers led to frequent breakdowns, while slow print speeds hampered the R&D department. In addition, existing capacity limited large production volumes and the amount of time spent on printer maintenance tied up valuable resources.
After a successful trial in a US factory, DHR Engineering integrated two Bambu Lab X1C printers into their manufacturing cell. The results exceeded all expectations. Productivity increased significantly as three times as many parts could now be produced per printer. At the same time, maintenance costs were reduced by a factor of five.
The accelerated R&D not only enabled faster prototyping, but also the processing of large projects involving over 100 kg of material. In addition, DHR Engineering expanded its product range, shortened delivery times and was able to offer more competitive prices.
Inspired by these successes, DHR Engineering is now planning to expand its automated 3D printing farm to 200 printers. In addition, similar setups are to be implemented in the USA to better serve international customers.
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