Sustainable Manufacturing with 3D-printed Tools: TECOS’s Pilot Line Enhances Efficiency and Reduces Waste
TECOS Slovenian Tool and Die Development Centre – from support for toolmakers to an internationally renowned development centre that brings companies access to knowledge, engineers, researchers and a wealth of experience with a fully automated pilot line for the production of plastic products using 3D-printed tools.
When TECOS was established, the Slovenian Tool an Die Development Centre was primarily responsible for providing the expertise needed by the Slovenian toolmaking industry. Over three decades, the development ambitions have evolved into the provision of engineering services, research and development projects, the development of new materials and support for the industy in the introduction of new technologies and the circular economy. It is the latter that TECOS aims to achieve with its latest acquisition – an automated pilot line for the production of plastic products using 3D-printed tools and the start of the construction of the TECOS Pilot Factory of the Future, the first in the framework of the National Demonstration Centre for Factories of the Future.
Further development of specialisation in specific technologies, internationalisation and integration into international value chains, networking and cooperation are necessary to consolidate the visibility and high quality standards of Slovenian toolmaking. Specialisation of staff through quality assurance, capacity building for larger orders, modernisation of the machine park and implementation of new technologies can contribute to an important turnaround – to reversing the trend of relocation of development and production to countries with lower labour costs and, above all, to returning production back to the countries of origin.
International research and development projects to achieve development plans
TECOS chooses its project partnerships and collaborations wisely; the projects in which it participates address one of TECOS’ strategic objectives. For example, TECOS is involved in major project consortium in the field of production optimisation using 3D printing techniques with 33 partners from all over Europe, currently the largest 3D printing project in Europe. All of the above pursues the objective of consolidating TECOS’ position as one of the regionally recognised developers of digital solutions in industry, including in the field of electronic and electrical equipment (EEE). The introduction of circular economy and digitalisation principles follows the trend towards waste reduction in production, while the development of rapidly adaptive tools using advanced technologies such as 3D printing also enables companies to addapt to circular economy standars and make more savings when implementing them – savings in material, energy and maintenance costs.
One of TECOS’ strategically important areas is the development of new materials. The freshest of the new materials development projects is certainly the one of Mlin Katić, where we want to transform unused starch by-products into primary raw material for the production of environmentally friendly products – biodegradable chewable dog toys. In doing so, we are also establishing a local supply chain, from the provider of secondary raw materials to the processor, retailer and user of the new products. Among the biodegradable materials we have developed new materials in-house or in project partnerships. The LIFE Citruspack project is certainly worth highlighting, where we have developed innovative and environmentally friendly bioplastic packaging based on citrus by-products: juice bottles and cosmetic packaging. In the LIFE Baqua project, mechanical treatment of banana plantation waste was used, among other things, to obtain high-quality natural fibres for the production of naturally reinforced composites, which can be used as such in the automotive sector. In the framework of LIFE BioTHOP, we have been involved in the development of biodegradable planting pots, where the main raw material is waste hops.
Automated pilot line for the production of plastic products using 3D-printed tools launched on the occasion of TECOS’ 30th anniversary
The inauguration of a fully automated pilot line for the production of plastic products using 3D-printed tools, the first of its kind in Slovenia, will surely be one of the most important parts of TECOS’ 30th anniversary celebrations. The most important aspect of this new line is its accessibility. Slovenian industry, especially small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), is not only gaining access to research or technological equipment with this first fully automated line for the production of plastic products, but this access is much broader, as it also brings with it access to knowledge, development engineers, researchers and, above all, to their wealth of experience.
TECOS will also present all this at this year’s Toolmaking Day, the largest toolmaking event in Slovenia. This year it will take place on 14 November and will highlight both the importance of the new acquisition and the opportunity to take part in a discussion with decision-makers, companies and other strategic stakeholders on the issue of what is needed for the further successful development of Slovenian industry. Full details of the Toolmaking Day and free registration are available at www.tecos.si.
Written by TECOS team.