Wie robust ist eine Auflage aus PA12 im Einsatz?

PA12 ist zäh, schlagfest und beständig gegen Öle, Fette und viele Reinigungsmittel. Für Auflagen mit moderater Belastung im täglichen Vorrichtungsbetrieb eignet es sich gut. Auf Wunsch wird die Oberfläche chemisch geglättet: Sie ist dann geschlossener, nimmt weniger Schmutz und Flüssigkeit auf und lässt sich leichter reinigen. Bei sehr hohen Kräften oder starkem Verschleiss prüfen wir mit Ihnen eine Ausführung aus Metall.

Warum wurde Kunststoff statt Metall verwendet?

Der Kunststoff ist leicht und schont empfindliche Werkstückoberflächen. Gewölbte Auflageflächen, die gefräst in kleiner Stückzahl teuer wären, entstehen im 3D-Druck direkt mit.

Was brauchen Sie für eine Anfrage?

Am besten ein CAD-Modell der Auflage, zum Beispiel als STEP-Datei. Liegt nur eine Zeichnung oder die Kontur des Werkstücks vor, leiten wir das Modell daraus ab. Dazu helfen Angaben zu Stückzahl, Belastung und Umgebung, etwa Öle oder Reinigungsmittel.

3D-Printed PA12 Fixture Support

When Every Workpiece Must Be Positioned Identically

In assembly and testing fixtures, work steps can only be performed reproducibly if every workpiece is positioned exactly the same way. To achieve this, round components require a support that precisely matches their contour. Metal supports can scratch sensitive surfaces. Milled plastic supports with a curved surface are expensive when produced in small quantities.

On top of that, workpieces change. The support must be adapted for each new variant. If you have to wait a long time for a single fixture part, the entire line could come to a standstill in the worst-case scenario.

This is where a 3D-printed plastic support can help.

The solution: a 3D-printed plastic mount

The support is printed from PA12 using the powder bed fusion process. The curved support surface, shaft, slot, and mounting holes are created in a single operation. The slot allows the support to be aligned with the fixture.

The plastic is lightweight and protects the surface of the workpiece. The orange color makes the support clearly visible on the fixture. For a new workpiece variant, the CAD model is adjusted and a new support is printed, no tools required.

Adapted to the contour

The curved support surface conforms to the shape of the workpiece. This ensures that every part rests evenly, and the plastic protects delicate surfaces.

Easy to align

The support can be slid along the slot on the fixture and secured in the correct position with screws. The slot and holes are printed directly onto the part.

New variants that require no tools

If the workpiece changes, the CAD model is adjusted and a new version is printed. The color coding makes them easily visible on the fixture.

How durable is a PA12 pad in use?

PA12 is tough, impact-resistant, and resistant to oils, greases, and many cleaning agents. It is well-suited for applications subject to moderate loads in daily fixture operation. Upon request, the surface can be chemically smoothed: it then has a more closed-cell structure, absorbs less dirt and liquid, and is easier to clean. For very high forces or severe wear, we will work with you to evaluate a metal design.

Why was plastic used instead of metal?

The plastic is lightweight and protects sensitive workpiece surfaces. Curved contact surfaces which would be expensive to mill in small quantities are created directly during the 3D printing process.

What do you need to submit a request?

Ideally, a CAD model of the support surface, such as a STEP file. If only a drawing or the contour of the workpiece is available, we will derive the model from that. Information on the number of parts, load, and environmental conditions, such as oils or cleaning agents is helpful for this process.