How Paragon Rapid Technologies Uses AMFG to Drive Production Efficiency
“Customers are developing new products faster than ever and Paragon plays a fundamental part in making this even slicker. We have listened to our customers and acted quickly to save them time. Our customers no longer need to wait for a quote and can order basic 3D prints online in just a few clicks.”
Commercial Director
The Challenge
Paragon Rapid Technologies is one of the UK’s leading additive manufacturing specialists. The company has built a reputation for manufacturing high-quality end parts and prototypes for industrial clients across a wide range of industries, including global brands like Jaguar Land Rover, Nissan and Aston Martin.
With its 3D printing facility growing exponentially, how does Paragon use AMFG to ensure that its entire AM workflow, from request to production management, remains as efficient as possible?
Since its founding, Paragon Rapid Technologies has continued to push the boundaries of what is possible with manufacturing. Recently becoming the UK’s first production partner with Carbon, the partnership adds Carbon’s proprietary Digital Light Synthesis (DLS) technology to Paragon’s already expansive repertoire of 3D printing technologies, which includes Stereolithography (SLA) and Selective Laser Sintering (SLS). The company also offers a range of traditional manufacturing services, such as CNC machining and vacuum casting.
However, with an ever-expanding client base, Paragon faced the challenge of managing the large volume of incoming requests it receives on a daily basis. The Paragon team needed to process incoming requests, schedule different jobs and keep track of the parts being manufactured along the production workflow.
Initially, manual and paper-based processes were used to track key information, such as incoming requests. Production engineers, therefore, needed to spend a significant amount of time assessing each request and generating quotations. This also meant that information needed to be updated and shared manually, creating a lack of traceability from request to production.
The inefficiency of the process meant that Paragon was on the search for a way to achieve a “paperless” production process.
The Solution
Streamlining AM Processes with Automation Software
Paragon was looking for a solution that would make the request handling and production management processes within its 3D printing facility more efficient. The solution came in the form of AMFG’s workflow automation software, which streamlines the entire additive manufacturing workflow.
Following an initial consultation, the AMFG team worked closely with Paragon through on-site training sessions to ensure that the software was tailored to the company’s requirements before being implemented.
Now, instead of manual processes, Paragon uses automation to enhance every stage of production. For example, through AMFG’s on-demand ordering portal, customers can easily submit their files for analysis and receive a quotation in seconds. AMFG’s software then optimises files for production using automated STL file conversion, auto-repair and wall thickness analysis tools.
This enables Paragon’s production engineers to easily verify the printability of a part, in a fraction of the time, before it is sent for production. Automated job sheets also allow the team to keep track of each project without manually updating separate Excel sheets.
Paragon is also making extensive use of AMFG’s production management module, and can now easily schedule all of their production jobs through the platform. This provides them with accurate, real-time reporting data and an easier way to manage the ever-increasing demand.
The Results
Automation Leads to Greater Production Efficiency
Implementing AMFG’s automation software has allowed Paragon to automate previously manual processes, thereby creating a seamless flow from request to production. AMFG also enables the Paragon team to quickly identify and keep track of parts along each stage of production, further driving efficiency and productivity.
The project and production teams are now able to use their time more effectively, with the time spent on generating quotations and processing files significantly reduced. This means that the Paragon team is able to provide an enhanced customer service to its customers, whilst continuing to deliver the quickest possible turnaround times.
And since Paragon offers traditional manufacturing services in addition to additive manufacturing, the company will be able to make use of AMFG’s Internal Quotation feature. This will enable Paragon to quickly and accurately price parts produced from traditional production methods (such as vacuum casting and silicone tooling) in addition to additive manufacturing — all from the same platform.
Images courtesy of Paragon Rapid Technologies.
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