CNH Industrial is leading the way in the innovative use of 3D printers to manufacture components & spare parts, offering its clients with rapid availability and support throughout the product’s lifecycle.
As part of its sustained drive to streamline manufacturing processes, improve productivity and search more sustainable ways of working, the CNH Industrial N.V. has taken an important step in the execution of Additive Manufacturing technology by producing its 1st 3D printed spare parts.
Additive Manufacturing, a synonym of 3D printing, is a method by which components are created from a digital file to build layers of material under computer control. Once printed, all the parts undergo strict testing to make sure it meets CNH Industrial’s requirements & specifications.
One of the main benefits of 3D printing is that it facilitates the local, on-demand manufacturing of spare parts. This is especially advantageous when only a small quantity of parts are needed to satisfy specific urgent orders and also leads to smarter overall management of stock & increased availability. Every product can be printed within 24 - 36 hours with the optimal amount of resources. Unlike traditional subtractive manufacturing, where raw material is cut away or removed, Additive Manufacturing is a precise method which creates less waste & leftover material while at the same time reducing machine downtime. This, in turn, provides consumers with enhanced total cost of ownership (TCO).
The first components created by this new process include 4 parts for use on buses as well as agricultural equipment. All parts are manufactured in plastic and the firm is conducting further tests that will enable the future production of metal components using this technology.
Additionally, CNH Industrial is committed to further investigating the prospective of Additive Manufacturing with the aim of creating a full range of parts and promptly reply to all types of needs at each stage of the product’s lifecycle. 3D printing offers important sustainability advantages including the optimization of raw materials, energy usage and the overall manufacturing and supply chain.
