Quadpack is also 3D printing injection molds on-demand, using them across its range of injection machines to run real-life production samples, with the output exactly the same as the finished product in terms of specifications and material types. This provides the company with greater efficiency, allowing it to carry out quality checks prior to cutting steel on the main production mold for the industrialization of the packaging. Steel trial molds are expensive and take around six weeks to produce, but Quadpack will now be able to make them in as little as 24 hours and at greatly reduced cost. “The trial mold capability of the J Series is exceptional and relevant to everything we do,” said Garrard.
“For example, if we develop an ampoule with a snap-off cap, we can try it with full end-product functionality. It is fantastic as it gives us greater efficiency and reduces risk. Everything happens earlier, faster and better, which is key to helping us achieve our overall goals of delivering innovation and improved time to market.”
With the Design and Advanced Technologies department building a foundation for a future fullscale R&D center, there is no doubt the J Series will play a crucial role and help deliver faster innovation to market. Garrard explained, “We’re extremely proud of our industry-leading prototyping and mold-making 3D printing capability. It gives us a real competitive edge and helps us foster creativity, boost innovation and accelerate the development process, which is good for us and even better for our clients.” Having a local, dedicated additive manufacturing support service is also essential to helping Quadpack achieve its goals.
Garrad concluded, “Stratasys’ partner, Tri Tech 3D, offers us expertise and continued high-level support. As we continue to push the boundaries of what’s possible with 3D printing into other areas of our production processes, this local support is invaluable.”
