Top 5 Videos: Refurbishing Trains With 3D Printing

Welcome to our weekly roundup of the Top 5 most compelling 3D printing videos. This week’s edition kicks off with Deutsche Bahn’s groundbreaking use of Formlabs SLS 3D printers, transforming in their ongoing train refurbishing efforts for their iconic Intercity Express 1 locomotives. We’re then taken into the heart of Audi’s 3D Printing Center in Ingolstadt, Germany, unveiling the efficiency of Additive Manufacturing in crafting essential automotive components. The journey continues with insights from Judge Mark Chester on the 2023 WorldSkills UK Additive Manufacturing Finals, offering an inside perspective on judging, additive manufacturing’s integration, and participants’ work. Wrapping up, i-SOLIDS provides an insightful tour of their 10,000-square-foot 3D printing facility in Houston, Texas, outlining their workflow and showcasing cutting-edge technologies. And finally, through a detailed look into their vision to create 3D printed XQ-58, the Tanton Corporation suggests a future landscape at the intersection of 3D printing and Unmanned Aerial Vehicles. Join us this week as we delve into the latest advancements and applications in the world of 3D printing.

Top 1: Refurbishing DB Trains with Formlabs SLS 3D Printers

We start with a video that delves into Deutsche Bahn’s significant advancements in employing Formlabs SLS 3D printers to revolutionize workflows, reduce costs, and expedite repairs as part of their train refurbishing efforts for the iconic Inter City Express 1 trains. The video provides insights into the meticulous precision involved in 3D printing over 100,000 parts since 2015. Deutsche Bahn utilizes this SLS technology to manufacture components no longer available for purchase or sourcing across their 50 plants nationwide. Given the specific and specialized nature of the tools required for this project, some of which are no longer in production, the use of SLS technology has become crucial for producing these essential tools, saving time and money.

Top 2: Unveiling Audi’s Advanced 3D Printing Center Efficiency and Cost-Effective Applications

In this video by Formnext, Frank Jablonski guides us through a virtual tour of Audi’s 3D Printing Center in Ingolstadt, revealing Audi’s adept use of 3D printing to manufacture essential components. This exploration not only showcases the efficiency of Additive Manufacturing in the automotive industry but also highlights its cost-effective applications for crafting tools that were previously deemed impractical through conventional means. Through this technology, Audi can use hot forming for tool segments, producing lightweight yet stable components crucial for vehicle body parts.