Case Study - Fire engine's manifold 3D printout

Company: Bocar manufactures mainly new fire-fighting vehicles on various chassis types.

Project : Creation a life-size 3D model of the manifold using 3D printing technology


 
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Project Description

3D print Fire engine’s manifold 3D printout
Use Verification of the design and adequacy of the prototype production
Dimensions 60 x 50 x 50 cm
Material ABS
3D Printer 3DGence INDUSTRY F340

Goals

1. Cost reduction during preparing prototype

If a company decides to buy a 3D printer, the final cost of printing a model includes only the amount of money spent on a particular material (around 25€ for kg) plus electricity costs.

The price for preparing a 3D printed model is incomparably lower than producing it through the metal casting process.

2. Saving time at the stage of creating a prototype

The preparation of a new casting form can take even several months and the company has to pay for it. Owning a 3D printer significantly improves the process of creating the necessary part.

Creating 3D printout of fire engine’s manifold takes around 10 days.

3. Checking the ergonomics of the model through its assembly

3D printing technology allows physical examination of every project assumption on a virtual model. The 3D printed vacuum manifold was installed in a particular vehicle to enable this physical examination of this actual part.

The company could check its ergonomics that is, the functionality and serviceability of the actual part.

The use of 3DGence INDUSTRY F340 allowed verifying the vacuum manifold, which is one of the elements creating a hydraulic system of a pump compartment inside fire engines.

Proto typing such a manifold with 3D printing is quicker and easier than manual welding of parts, elbows, and connectors. 3D printing also provides a more accurate representation of the final system. What follows is a lower failure frequency of teh finished part in service.

The collector after breaking the support material and gluing
                        the parts is ready for assembly.
The collector after breaking the support material and gluing the parts is ready for assembly.
Bocar uses 3D printers to speed up production processes and generate savings.
Bocar uses 3D printers to speed up production processes and generate savings.
Dimensions and assembly verification.
Dimensions and assembly verification.

During the process of rapid prototyping, it is still very hard to obtain an impeccable product, especially when we focus on its ergonomics

Thanks to the 3D printer, we can prepare a model which is identical to its real archetype. It makes it possible for different departments of the company to introduce particular changes even during the early design stage.


Technical engineer at Bocar



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