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The
technology Figur G15 is capable of shaping standard sheet metal
on demand directly from a digital design file, eliminating the
need of stamping tools, molds, dies, or presses and thus
reducing costs and production lead time, Fulop added.
"This is a $300 billion market currently with no digital
solutions," he said, adding Figur G15 is due to be introduced at
a trade show in Chicago on Wednesday.
The Massachusetts-based startup has BMW, Toyota Motor Corp and
billionaire Elon Musk's rocket company SpaceX among its
clientele.
3D printing technology, which allows complex shapes to be built
up in layers from particles of plastics or metal, is viewed by
Washington as an innovation that will enable U.S. manufacturers
to flourish and create jobs.
Fulop expects first-generation of the new technology to handle
volume production of sheet metal parts for aircraft, agriculture
and heavy-duty equipment.
In automotive assembly, however, the technology will be able to
handle sheet metal shaping and stamping in low- to mid-volume,
he added.
"It could support production of sub-10,000 vehicles a year
initially," Fulop said. "I am confident we will dramatically
reduce the need for stamping over the next two decades."
For now, the technology is only capable of forming sheet metal
parts that fit in its 3D printer envelope of 1.5 meter by 1.2
meter and can process positive and negative forms up to 40 cm in
the vertical direction, according to a company statement viewed
by Reuters.
(Reporting By Norihiko Shirouzu; Editing by Miyoung Kim and
Himani Sarkar)
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