Something new is brewing in Asnaes: Our SLA resin 3D printer

At Flux, being on the technological front foot is paramount. Not only do we employ technology to overcome the obstacles of today, but we are constantly evolving in tandem with technology, pushing the boundaries of ultra-precise production of components to the most demanding of industries.

Flux’s mechanical and electrical design teams shape innovation. Our everyday work most often revolves around our cutting-edge electromagnetic components and electrical designs, but behind every successful product lies the expertise of our mechanical design team, which ensures that each component fits seamlessly into existing applications. The collaboration between our Mechanical and Electrical Design Departments is a cornerstone of our innovation, and it's time to share how this synergy drives Flux forward.

New technology, new opportunities

The concept of 3D printing is by no means new to us but by investing in up-to-date equipment, we can pass on the advantages to our customers. Our Electronics Engineer, Christian Lerche Sørensen, is more than happy to share his thoughts on our new acquisition. Just like Flux, he too has been working with 3D printing for years – even before joining us – but the new SLA resin printer takes matters to a whole new level.

“The level of detail is extraordinary,” he says about the printer before adding, “and so is the speed with which we can make adjustments.”

Christian embodies the dedication and passion that goes into everything we do at Flux, and, eventually, that makes all the difference. We are proud to be nerds, and we are happy to share our nerdy expertise with our customers.

Image: Our SLA 3D printer

Prototypes and precision

Along with our mechanical staff, Christian primarily employs our new SLA resin printer when manufacturing new prototypes. By having the 3D printing facilities in-house, we are able to tweak the requested components with a level of flexibility and speed hitherto unknown.

When working with prototypes, adjustments, and response time are vital factors. Waiting for suppliers to deliver the necessary adjustments on a day-to-day basis is time-consuming, but by acquiring the new 3D printer, we can adjust the details instantaneously, thereby drastically reducing the response time.

“When we produce a large number of iterations, the in-house printing facilities really prove its worth. Instead of waiting a day or two for the adjustments, we can make them straight away and get on with testing them. On numerous occasions, that has saved our customers a substantial amount of time – and money.”

Image: 3D printed ER25 Bobbin” & ”3D printed EFD30 Bobbin

Technology and innovation: A symbiosis

But time – and consequently money – are not the only benefits. Our new 3D printer even allows us to make functional prototypes that can be sent directly to our customers, allowing them to test the components at their own facilities, much to the delight of many of our customers. As Christian recalls:

“Recently, we were tasked with producing a series of components. We were told by our usual suppliers that they were unable to deliver a test fixture for this specific component footprint. Luckily, we had our printer, so I made some drawings and within two printed iterations we had a functional test fixture.”

“By doing so,” he elaborates, “we even discovered that we were able to reduce the level of steps in the process flow, as we were able to print the fixtures without having to do the soldering that we initially thought”. 

“Ultimately, that benefits our customers, as the reduction of levels in the process flow is reflected in the price.” 

Keeping up with new technology is not just a way to keep our nerds happy at our facilities; it is a business strategy that benefits our customers. As exemplified by our new 3D resin printer, by continually investing in the right equipment, we can keep innovating and evolving as a business—that’s what we do!

Contact Lars Gregersen, our COO of Defence and Space, to explore how Flux can help you develop and innovate your next project and contribute to space exploration.