Three new, three-dimensional printers are providing a valuable assist to Connecticut-based Royal Machine & Tool Co., in current and advance planning, designing and manufacturing of workholding parts and products. The DaVinci 3D printers are commercially available from XYZprinting, a recent entry to the expanding field of 3DP technology suppliers. Its off-the-shelf products are aimed at individual users, a market segment that the supplier aims to impress with “easy-to-use” designs.

DaVinci 3D systems combine scanning, editing, and “printing” functions in a single package, and are supplied with a customized software program for the printing function. Printing is done via the FFF (fused filament fabrication) process, with a 46.8x51x55.8-cm build area.

Royal Machine explained it is manufacturing all the plastic parts required for its product lines on the new 3DP systems, meaning a range of components and fixtures for workholding systems. The group offers custom workholding products, as well as a range of arbors, chucks, chuck jaws, collets, and holders.

Guy Byrne, Royal Machine senior vice president and general manager, stated: "Our three, new 3D printers have allowed us to quickly move forward by grasping their latest technologies and applying them to our specific needs."

He continued: "With our 3D printers, Royal Machine now is making all their plastic parts on these machines, plus producing models of prototypes and form-fitted custom jaws. In addition, these 3D-printed parts provide us the ability to check designs for potential errors or tool clearances, and, in some cases to check for form, fit and function prior to actual manufacturing of the permanent parts for workholding fixtures."

Byrne indicated that the company foresees other applications for 3D printing — applications he did not detail — but that he said "will be beneficial in other areas of our business while we continue servicing our customers ever-increasing requirements."