CNH Industrial launches 3D printed spare parts for buses and agriculture
CNH Industrial N.V., one of the world’s largest capital goods companies, today announced the release of its first 3D printed spare parts. The company is ramping up the use of additive manufacturing in its workflow to streamline and enhance productivity and pursue more sustainable manufacturing practices.
Founded in 2012, CNH Industrial has quickly risen in the ranks, becoming a leader in the capital goods sector. Primarily, the company is known for designing and manufacturing equipment and parts for the agricultural, construction and transport sectors. The company encompasses a range of brands, including Case, New Holland, Iveco and FPT Industrial.
As a notable manufacturer, it is no surprise that CNH Industrial has been investigating the use of additive manufacturing in its business. By using the technology for the production of spare parts, the company is taking advantage of AM’s capacity for local, on-demand manufacturing as well as its suitability for producing one-off or small series production.
The first 3D printed spare parts introduced by the global company are four parts for buses and agricultural equipment. The parts, each 3D printed from an industrial polymer, can be printed in just 24 to 36 hours, perfect for fulfilling urgent orders. Before being deployed, the 3D printed spare parts all undergo stringent testing to ensure they meet CNH Industrial’s standards.
After seeing the successful implementation of plastic 3D printing for spare parts, CNH Industrial says it is now investigating the use of metal 3D printing for a range of other components. Eventually, the company hopes to produce a full range of parts using AM to “respond to all types of needs at every stage of the product’s lifecycle.”
In addition to the advantage of on-demand production, 3D printing offers a number of benefits to manufacturers, including less material waste (compared to subtractive processes, which cut away raw material) and minimized machined downtime. Moreover, because parts can be produced economically as one-off components, companies can benefit from less inventory and smarter management of stock.
