Aug 9, 2016 | By Alec

When it comes to large-format 3D printing, no manufacturer can compete with the German 3D printer specialist voxeljet AG. But your potential is only limited by your ambition, and voxeljet is aiming to become a true world leader. After expanding their empire into China with a joint venture and most recently into India with a subsidiary, they have now set their sights on the world’s seventh-largest car manufacturer: Mexico. And thanks to a deal with Latin American OEM specialist ART, voxeljet is now also establishing itself in the Mexican automotive industry.

It’s just the latest chapter in the voxeljet AG success story. The company was founded back in 1999 in Friedberg, Germany, and quickly became a leading provider of large-format 3D printers and on-demand component services for industrial and commercial customers. Their remarkable hardware is especially rapidly finding its way into the hands of European and American clients from the automotive, aviation, aerospace, entertainment, machine building and consumer goods industries. Their product is best illustratred by the VX4000 3D printer – the world’s largest industrial 3D printer with a continuous build volume of 4 x 2 x 1 meters, perfect for rapid production of individual molds.

The company thus reached a position from which they could start expanding their international market presence, and are now heading to Mexico. As a major car manufacturer, it’s a very important market for OEM cast production, though voxeljet also has its eye on the Mexican machine building, transportation and energy industries – which are expected to grow rapidly over the coming years.

The VX4000 3D printer

But the automotive sector is first on their list, and the automation company Art Abastecedora Industrial S. de R.L. de C.V. (ART) should provide a strong partner in conquering that market. ART previously orchestrated the introduction of brands such as Automatic Feed Co. and Mayfran International in the Mexican automation market, and provides high-tech solutions to numerous partners. Among their clients are Ford, GE, Chrysler, VW Group and Nissan. They also have a very strong presence in all four main industrial regions of Mexico.

According to voxeljet, ART was a logical target for a partnership. “With its extensive experience in the automotive sector and its collaboration with global leaders, ART is the ideal business partner for the Latin American market. As an automation expert, the company contributes comprehensive competence for marketing our products in Mexico in the future,” said Christian Träger, Sales Director. “Our industrial 3D printing systems are front and center in our collaboration with ART. By using 3D printers from voxeljet, large foundries can optimize their production processes for molds and models.”

3D printed sand core (left) and the final cast part (right).

Especially ART’s links with Mexican foundries attracted voxeljet, as foundries that produce for the automotive industry extensively use molds and models for prototype building and small series production that could be 3D printed. Through 3D printing, these molds and models could be produced at faster rates, for lower costs and with optimized accuracy.

ART will now directly make those 3D printed molds available to the foundry industry, all made with voxeljet 3D printing technology. “Foundries and car makers around the world value the German quality standards of the voxeljet 3D printers, which increase flexibility and efficiency, and accelerate production processes – a prerequisite for keeping up in a hotly contested global market,” voxeljet argued. As part of the new deal, ART will directly control voxeljet marketing strategies as well.

This new collaboration thus bodes well for the Latin American automotive industry, and could provide it with the means to cope with a surging demand. “We are pleased to develop the market for industrial 3D printing in Mexico together with voxeljet, while at the same time addressing the considerable market demand”, argued Rafael Martínez Velásquez, President of ART. Voxeljet seems to be growing into an unstoppable force when it comes to industrial 3D printing.

 

 

Posted in 3D Printer Company

 

 

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