Ultimaker Scales Up 3D Printing for OEM and MRO Industries

Ultimaker, the global leader in desktop 3D printing, announced back in March that ERIKS, a key provider of technical components and services to all sections of the industry worldwide, has scaled up the 3D printing production capacity for its OEM and MRO customers.

ERIKS and Ultimaker Pro Printers

ERIKS is utilizing Ultimaker S5 Pro Bundles to help co-engineer parts and speed up design for their customers worldwide. They specifically are supporting their customers to help identify, design and print applications for their various industrial businesses.

From their location in Alkmaar, Netherlands, and with multiple Ultimaker S5 Pro Bundles, the 3D printing company has set up a special Clean Manufacturing Facility offering EC1935/2004 manufacturing to customers in need of food-safe parts.

Ultimaker is working with ERIKS to scale up 3D printing capacity for OEM and MRO industries. (image: Ultimaker / Architosh. All rights reserved)

ERIKS has 7,500 skilled people working at more than 300 locations worldwide, serving industrial customers in 22 different industries. Sander Splinter, Managing Director at ERIKS Netherlands: “We see enormous potential in 3D printing for industrial purposes. By combining our industry, product and application knowledge with the accessible and reliable 3D printing solutions from Ultimaker, we can fully support our customers in co-engineering parts with more speed and design freedom when using injection moulding. In 2019, we managed to save over 350,000 euros only by implementing 3D printed production aids and eliminating safety hazards in our own facilities. We are now gradually helping our customers to benefit from 3D printing, by advising them based on data analysis on which parts are suitable to print, but also through site-scans at their facilities. Based on these visits we can co-engineer and print the identified applications on the Ultimaker S5 Pro Bundle, guaranteeing quality, reproducibility, and reliability of the parts according to their specific industry standards.”

Ultimaker S5 Pro Bundle shown here installed on the S5, includes new Air Manager and Material Station. (image: Ultimaker / Architosh. All rights reserved.)

Job van de Sande, Head of Technology Sealing & Polymer Technology at ERIKS: “For parts and tools used in environments in which food is produced, for instance, we developed the ERIKS’ Clean Manufacturing Facility. This space is EC1935/2004 compliant for its manufacturing, has dedicated clean production areas and a large-scale ISO Class 6 cleanroom. In addition to the European food-safe compliances, we are currently working on earning the same food-safe FDA compliances and certifications for 3D printing as well. This would enable us to 3D print certified parts and tools that can be used in an atmosphere in which food is produced.”

Jos Burger, CEO at Ultimaker: “As shown in the 3D Printing Sentiment Index, only 35 percent of companies have adopted additive manufacturing, while in many industries worldwide margins are currently under high pressure. Efficiency is key to bring a competitive edge and 3D printing plays a major role in this, as ERIKS experienced first-hand with achieving their impressive cost- and time savings. I am proud to see how ERIKS shares its industry-specific expertise and combines it with our reliable Ultimaker ecosystem. I am positive that this collaboration helps to accelerate the adoption of 3D printing and that together we will make the industry work better.”

For more information about how ERIKS uses Ultimaker S5 printers to scale up production, please visit http://ultimaker.com/learn/eriks-working-clean-certified-and-in-control-with-3d-printing.