ITAMCO Ramps Up Additive Manufacturing
They installed an EOS M 290 3D additive manufacturing printer in June and began shipping printed components to a medical device supplier in August.
Posted: August 26, 2017
ITAMCO (Indiana Technology and Manufacturing Companies; Plymouth, IN) is delivering components to the medical device industry made with their new EOS M 290 3D additive manufacturing printer that was delivered in June, 2017. They began shipping printed components to a medical device supplier in August. The fast ramp up is partially due to the experience their team gained while contributing to the development of additive manufacturing software, where they were part of a consortium of manufacturers and universities that collaborated to develop the program through a multi-million dollar manufacturing initiative called “America Makes.” The software (named “Atlas 3D”) is now marketed through a division of ITAMCO.
Another reason for this efficient entry into additive manufacturing was EOS USA (Norwell, MA), a global leader in additive manufacturing systems and solutions. “Their printer is the right tool for our complex components made with DMLS (direct metal laser sintering) and their team trained our staff and got us up and running quickly,” said Joel Neidig, the director of research and development for ITAMCO. “This printer works seamlessly with Atlas 3D, too,” he added.
The technology team in the shop also quickly built a good working relationship with the EOS sales and support team. “They are an ideal partner for us because three generations of their leaders have supplied traditional subtractive manufactured parts to some of the best known organizations in the world,” noted Jon Walker, an area sales manager with EOS North America. “Due to their reputation, their investment in additive manufacturing validates the 3D printing market, especially in highly regulated industries where testing and validation of components or devices is critical. We’re thrilled that they have invested in our printing platform, smartly positioning themselves to become an additive manufacturing leader in robust medical and industrial markets for the next three generations and beyond.”
The medical device industry is a relatively new market for the company that has serviced heavy-duty industries for decades. “Additive manufacturing is allowing us to do things we’ve not done before, like producing the smaller, more intricate components for the medical device industry,” stated Neidig. Given ITAMCO’s capabilities and their close proximity to numerous medical implant manufacturers in Indiana, the entry into this industry is a logical move. “We’ve hired two people from medical device companies to work for us,” added Neidig. “Of course, we will continue to expand our presence in our current markets by offering additive manufacturing and the high quality subtractive manufacturing that made us so successful.”
The company has been on track to include additive manufacturing in their offerings since the launch of their “Strategic Technology Initiative for Additive Manufacturing” in 2015. They are using additive manufacturing to expand their market position in a global economy and to deliver real benefits to their customers. These benefits include:
- Faster turnaround.
- Lighter yet stronger components.
- Lower prices.
- Design freedom.
- Product customization.
- Reasonably priced small-batch production.
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