Key Takeaways
- Ford's Advanced Industrial Technology and Platforms (ATP) group has partnered with Sharrow Marine to produce boat propellers using binder jet 3D printing, reducing production time from 130 days to 2 weeks.
- The collaboration utilizes a sand-banding jetting sand-casting solution, replacing traditional methods like lost-wax casting and slip casting.
- The Sharrow propeller, debuted in 2020, is designed to lower noise while improving efficiency.
- Ford's expertise in 3D sand-casting, developed over 20 years, has enabled Sharrow Marine to scale production quickly.
Introduction to Binder Jet 3D Printing
Binder jet 3D printing is a type of additive manufacturing that uses a binder to "glue" together powdered material, creating a solid part. This technology has been used by Ford to produce complex parts, including the Sharrow Marine boat propeller.
Comparison of Traditional and Binder Jet 3D Printing Methods
| Method | Production Time | Quality |
|---|---|---|
| Lost-Wax Casting | Up to 130 days | High |
| Slip Casting | Up to 130 days | High |
| Binder Jet 3D Printing | 2 weeks | High |
Benefits of Binder Jet 3D Printing
The use of binder jet 3D printing has enabled Sharrow Marine to reduce production time and increase efficiency. According to Dan Michalski, Additive Manufacturing Operations Supervisor at Ford, "Ford has been at the leading edge of 3D sand-casting for more than 20 years, and it's rewarding to use that expertise to help another Michigan company scale so quickly."
Partnership Between Ford and Sharrow Marine
The partnership between Ford and Sharrow Marine has been instrumental in solving the scaling problem faced by Sharrow Marine. As stated by Greg Sharrow, CEO and Founder of Sharrow Marine, "Scaling production has been our biggest challenge, particularly getting high-quality castings fast enough to meet demand. This sand-casting collaboration has solved our scale problem in a big way."
Bottom Line
The collaboration between Ford and Sharrow Marine has demonstrated the potential of binder jet 3D printing in reducing production time and increasing efficiency. With a production time reduction of 128 days, this partnership has enabled Sharrow Marine to meet demand quickly and efficiently. As the use of binder jet 3D printing continues to grow, it is likely that we will see more partnerships like this in the future, driving innovation and growth in the manufacturing industry.