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You are here :: Case Study: Ex One
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Improving the repeatability and reliability of Ex One’s 3D printing process

The Ex One Company asked us to provide research and development support to its imagen™ division in an effort to help improve the repeatability and reliability of Ex One’s exciting three-dimensional printing process.  Ex One’s three-dimensional printing systems integrate modern technology and innovative science to produce customized gold copings for dental prosthesis.  Schultz-Creehan identified three significant sources of variation in the process, and worked with Ex One to begin reducing the overall variability by addressing each of these sources.  We will help develop the next generation of equipment for these and other innovative additive manufacturing processes, helping to bring the future of high-quality mass customization to life.
  
Problem
 

Repeatability issues in the mass-customization dental manufacturing process led to rework and other expensive wastes in the production process.

Repeatability issues in the mass-customization dental manufacturing process led to rework and other expensive wastes in the production process.
   
 
Solution
 

We developed a statistical design of experiments to identify the primary sources of variation within the manufacturing process, identifying three primary sources.  Each of these three sources of variability was then studied independently.  These investigations led to significant, unique changes that have improved the overall reliability of the process.  A next generation manufacturing system is currently being developed at Schultz-Creehan to implement all of these innovations.

We developed a statistical design of experiments to identify the primary sources of variation within the manufacturing process, identifying three primary sources.  Each of these three sources of variability was then studied independently.  These investigations led to significant, unique changes that have improved the overall reliability of the process.  A next generation manufacturing system is currently being developed at Schultz-Creehan to implement all of these innovations.
   
 
About Schultz-Creehan:

Schultz-Creehan is a high-tech engineering firm focused on the research and development of innovative solutions for industry. Schultz-Creehan addresses complex product development challenges through expertise in materials science and industrial engineering. With offices and lab facilities in the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center in Blacksburg, Virginia, Schultz-Creehan develops and manufactures products and processes to serve clients in the aerospace, defense, medical device and industrial markets.

Schultz-Creehan is a high-tech engineering firm focused on the research and development of innovative solutions for industry. Schultz-Creehan addresses complex product development challenges through expertise in materials science and industrial engineering. With offices and lab facilities in the Virginia Tech Corporate Research Center in Blacksburg, Virginia, Schultz-Creehan develops and manufactures products and processes to serve clients in the aerospace, defense, medical device and industrial markets.
  
About Ex One:

The Ex One Company is committed to transitioning breakthrough manufacturing process technologies to the world’s factory floors through research, development and commercialization of advanced equipment, materials and services.

The Ex One Company is committed to transitioning breakthrough manufacturing process technologies to the world’s factory floors through research, development and commercialization of advanced equipment, materials and services.
  
About imagen:
Voted one of the most exciting technological innovations in 2007 by Dental Lab Products, imagen is the world–wide exclusive licensee of the M.I.T. 3D Printing Technology for dental restorations. 3D Printing directly converts digital scan data into metal or ceramic components by combining multiple layers of particulate material using a specialized inkjet printing process. 3D Printing can make dental prosthetics of arbitrary complexity and material composition. Innovative imagen benefits include Ceramlok™ surface texture, which provides high surface area & an interlocked micro-geometry that enhances porcelain and cement adhesion. imagen is a division of the Ex One Company and is headquartered in Pennsylvania.
Voted one of the most exciting technological innovations in 2007 by Dental Lab Products, imagen is the world–wide exclusive licensee of the M.I.T. 3D Printing Technology for dental restorations. 3D Printing directly converts digital scan data into metal or ceramic components by combining multiple layers of particulate material using a specialized inkjet printing process. 3D Printing can make dental prosthetics of arbitrary complexity and material composition. Innovative imagen benefits include Ceramlok™ surface texture, which provides high surface area & an interlocked micro-geometry that enhances porcelain and cement adhesion. imagen is a division of the Ex One Company and is headquartered in Pennsylvania.
  
 
 
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