Before and After SLA Printing : Comparison
76% cost reduction
90% reduction in lead time
Problem
Riegler is a family business which specialises in processing plastics over the three company-ran plants. For 70 years, Riegler has been producing medical technology to the pharmaceutical, diagnostics and cosmetics industries; specialising in rapidly manufacturing bespoke parts for their customers.
Due the high volumes of parts being created during each production cycle and Riegler found themselves expending capital on the laser welding, camera inspection and transportation which would be required for each cycle. For many years, Riegler also outsourced the 3D printing of their parts, which not only brought further cost but also increased the lead time of the products coming to market.
Solution
Through the introduction of Formlabs Stereolithography (SLA) machines into their design process, Riegler can now develop the prototypes of their parts much faster than when outsourcing was the only option. Due to there being more time for prototyping, the parts can be cycled more than once meaning that there is more confidence in the final product when it is sent to the customer. Now, Riegler are able to turn their ideas into physical models within only a day and a night, compared to the 1-2 weeks which outsourcing would have cost previously. With there has been a reduction in lead times, there has also been a great reduction in cost, with parts costing approximately EUR 60 compared to the previous EUR 250.
