As 3D printed tooling becomes mainstream, it’s revolutionizing manufacturing. Manufacturing is all about efficiency and quality. And when it comes to creating custom tooling and fixtures, traditional manufacturing methods can be slow, expensive, and outsourcing can lead to intellectual property concerns. That’s where additive manufacturing comes in. Today, we’re going to be talking about some of the benefits of using Stratasys 3D printers for your manufacturing tooling needs.

But first, let’s clarify what tooling is. Tooling refers to specialized tools and fixtures used in manufacturing, sometimes called manufacturing aids. These tools can be used for everything from forming raw materials, to holding parts in place during machining, or even end of arm tools for robotic operation. Through Stratasys, TriMech offers a range of additive technologies that can be used for creating tooling, including FDM, PolyJet, SL, SAF and P3.

These technologies offer a range of benefits from exceptional surface quality to high production throughput. One of the key advantages of using Stratasys 3D printers for 3D printed tooling is the ability to quickly create highly customized solutions. Whether you need a specialized jig or fixture for a particular part or unique end of arm tool. 3D printing allows you to iterate quickly and get the customized tool you need.

Additive technology from Stratasys makes custom end of arm tooling practical by reducing time to part and cost associated with traditional machining methods. Stratasys FDM technology eliminates the design constraints imposed by machining, opening the door to features like integrated vacuum channels, hollow interiors, and geometries not possible using traditional means.

If you’re looking for a way to improve the efficiency and quality of your manufacturing process, consider the benefits of additive manufacturing for creating custom 3D printed tooling. With Stratasys 3D printers you’ll be able to iterate quickly, accurately and create the tools you need to succeed. If you’re interested in learning more, contact TriMech today to connect with one of our application engineers who can assist with any questions you may have, or to schedule a consultation to see which Stratasys additive technology will work best for you.