Harley & Son has expanded our additive manufacturing capabilities with the addition of a new advanced 3D printer. This investment increases our ability to create custom fixtures and tooling that help us manufacture precision machined parts more efficiently—and opens up new possibilities for even more demanding applications.
Meeting Growing Manufacturing Needs
Since introducing 3D printing capabilities in 2023, we’ve found countless ways to use custom assembly aids, machining fixtures, and inspection supports to improve how we manufacture parts for our customers. The success of these internal tools demonstrated the need for additional capacity to support more complex projects and reduce setup times.
Our new printer allows us to:
- Take on More Complex Projects: Manufacture parts requiring elaborate fixturing
- Reduce Setup Time: Faster turnaround on custom tooling means quicker delivery
- Handle Larger Parts: Print bigger fixtures for larger workpieces
- Optimize Production: Greater flexibility in how we approach each manufacturing challenge
Expanding What’s Possible
With increased capacity and experience, we’re finding new ways to leverage 3D printing for more demanding applications. One recent project involved creating custom bending dies for precision tube fabrication. The tubes required two precise bends at specific angles with exact spacing—critical for proper fit in a complex assembly.
Traditional metal dies for such a specialized application would require significant investment in machining time and material—costs that would need to be passed on to the customer.
By designing and 3D printing the bending dies in carbon fiber reinforced material, we were able to:
- Dramatically reduce tooling costs and project costs for the customer
- Iterate and optimize the die design quickly
- Produce functional dies in a fraction of the time
- Deliver precision-bent tubes meeting exact specifications at a competitive price
This application demonstrates how advanced 3D printing materials can replace traditional tooling approaches, allowing us to take on specialized projects that might otherwise be impractical.
Engineering-Grade Materials for Real Production Use
Our expanded capabilities include printing in high-performance materials that can withstand demanding production environments:
- Carbon Fiber Reinforced Plastics: Maximum strength-to-weight ratio for structural applications like bending dies and load-bearing fixtures
- Nylon and Advanced Polymers: Excellent wear resistance and toughness for fixtures subjected to repeated use
- Standard Engineering Plastics: Cost-effective solutions for general-purpose applications
The ability to select the right material for each application ensures that our 3D printed solutions provide the performance and durability your operations require.
From Concept to Finished Parts
Our approach to manufacturing leverages 3D printing as one of many tools to deliver the best results:
- Engineering Review: Analyze your parts to determine the best manufacturing approach
- Fixture Design: Create custom tooling optimized for your specific parts
- Material Selection: Choose the best materials for both fixtures and final parts
- Manufacturing: Produce your precision machined parts using optimized processes
- Quality Control: Verify results using custom inspection fixtures where needed
This comprehensive approach ensures that you receive parts manufactured efficiently and accurately, whether we’re using simple setups or complex custom tooling.
Advanced Capabilities for Complex Projects
Whether you need precision machined parts, complex assemblies, or specialized components like precision-bent tubing, our expanded capabilities allow us to tackle challenging projects efficiently. Our investment in advanced 3D printing technology is just one example of how we continually improve our ability to deliver high-quality parts at competitive prices.
Contact Harley & Son to discuss your precision manufacturing needs and how our comprehensive capabilities can deliver the results you’re looking for.