More information
Description
Trade Meister EOOD has experienced a growing demand for equipment and machines that rely on various types and dimensions of metal parts and composite materials. While they''ve turned to external suppliers for these crucial components, the company has encountered several challenges. These include limited availability of suppliers with appropriate equipment capable of handling their unique orders, reluctance to accommodate smaller-scale requests, the need for costly reconfiguration of equipment, high prices for custom components, protracted delivery times, and additional expenses related to logistics and transportation. Moreover, various metal products require electrochemical treatments such as galvanizing and anodizing, which result in more expenses, longer delivery times, and negative environmental impacts.
To address these challenges, Trade Meister EOOD embarked on an extensive research and analysis journey. Their goal was to set up an in-house production facility, employing additive manufacturing techniques, particularly 3D printing. This approach allows for the cost-effective production of lightweight, reinforced, customized, and even pre-assembled components compared to conventional manufacturing methods.
The objective of this project is to invest in cutting-edge equipment and software to enable the production and processing of components using 3D printing technology. Trade Meister EOOD aims to introduce new methods for manufacturing metal and composite parts, elements, and components by leveraging additive technologies and various composite materials. By embracing 3D printing, the company can reduce its reliance on external suppliers, and diversify its activities by offering 3D technology-based production and restoration services for components. This move will enhance their competitiveness, reduce operational costs, and bolster their innovative capabilities. It represents an important step towards sustainable and self-reliant business operations.
Summary of project results
For the last couple of years the share of equipment and machines in which Trade Meister EOOD uses different types and dimensions of metal parts and/or composite materials increases. The supply of this type of products is ensured by the manufacturing capabilities of external suppliers that hold the appropriate metalworking and other specialised equipment. From those external suppliers the applicant orders almost on a daily basis different size of materials and segments in single or small series. This activity creates progressively increasing difficulties for the company, including, but not limited to: few possible suppliers with appropriate equipment adequate for the production of relevant details, reluctance and inability to take company''s small-scale orders units, a long and expensive process to reconfigure their equipment for adapting it to applicant''s specific and individual shapes, sizes and materials of the external details, high prices of these products, long delivery time, additional costs related to their transportation and logistics, etc. Another aspect is that the various metal products need additional electro chemical treatments, such as galvanising and anodising, which leads to additional costs, longer delivery time and adverse effects on the environment.
To solve the above problem, to meet to a greater extent and to meet more adequately the requirements of its customers, to develop its business in an increasingly environmentally friendly manner and to be more innovative, Trade Meister EOOD has conducted a serious research, tests and analysis, in order to organise in its office and assembly facility, the production of such details from composite and other materials in the so-called additive production (also known as 3D printing). This method allows the production of lightweight, reinforced, customised and even pre-assembled products with lower production costs compared to the conventional technologies.
The main objective of the project is to purchase equipment and software for the production and processing of details by means of the method of 3D printing. The goal of the applicant is to introduce new method of manufacture of metal and composite parts, elements and components via additive technologies that use different composite materials. So far the applicant used the traditional methods of workpiece removal (milling, turning, casting, laser and other cutting). The efforts of the applicant are focused towards designing and manufacturing different components and details, thus not being dependent on the supplier’s delivery time and overall performance. In this respect, the applicant will be able to significantly reduce its costs and also be able to organise additional new activities with the production and restoration of details with 3D technologies.
The project aimed to increase the production capacity and material efficiency of Trade Meister EOOD by introducing additive technologies in their production processes. The key activities are related to investment in the following equipment:
- Purchase of an industrial 3D printer.
- Purchase of a 3D scanner.
- Purchase of Reverse Engineering Software.
- Purchase of a Miter Saw with a measuring system.
The expected outputs from the project included:
- Introduction of new additive technologies in the production processes.
- Reduction of CO2 emissions by using less metal, paper, and diesel, and generating less aluminium extrusion waste.
- Increased production capacity by at least 30% in the first year.
- Creation of at least one new job position.
- Doubling of turnover and profit compared to 2021.
The project aimed to make the company''s production processes greener, more efficient, and more economically productive and sustainable.
Outcomes- Enhanced competitiveness of Trade Meister EOOD, evident in increased annual turnover and net operational profit.
- Creation of new jobs.
- Implementation of innovative technologies, processes and solutions.
- Adoption of measures to decrease CO2 emissions, leading to a significant reduction in environmental impact.
- Improved market position and shares of Trade Meister EOOD, facilitating entry into new markets.
- Increased production capacity in the first year of project implementation.
- Better environmental outcomes through reduced consumption of resources and waste production, resulting in lower CO2 emissions.
- Enhanced long-term sustainability and stability of Trade Meister EOOD''s development by incorporating greener and more efficient production technologies.
- Contribution to the overall competitiveness of Bulgarian SMEs within the industrial automation sector, aligning with the objectives of the Green Industry Innovation call.
- Trade Meister EOOD: Directly benefits from increased production capacity, improved market position, and enhanced profitability.
- Employees: Benefit from new job opportunities and improved working conditions through the implementation of safer and more comfortable machinery.
- Environment: Gains from reduced CO2 emissions and lower waste production, contributing to more sustainable industrial practices.
- Bulgarian Industry: Gains from the introduction of innovative technologies and practices that can be adopted by other enterprises, enhancing overall industry standards.