Eaton Launches New Metal 3D Printing Program to Reduce Development Time, Improve Efficiency
21.10.2020 17:00:00 EEST | Business Wire | Press release
Power management company Eaton today announced its Vehicle Group is implementing a new 3D metal printing program as a part of its Industry 4.0 strategy to reduce development time and improve efficiency. The first metal printer system was installed at the Kings Mountain, N.C., facility, and a global deployment of 3D polymer printing technology is slated to be completed by first-quarter 2021.
This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201021005571/en/
Eaton’s Vehicle Group reduced cost and development time using its 3D metal printing capabilities to produce this oil fill nozzle. (Photo: Business Wire)
The 3D printers are being utilized to create high-quality fixtures, safety devices, automation grippers for assembly and handling, and maintenance components requiring replacement. Prototype development is following the same strategy to support faster product development trials and improve efficiency.
Improving output and efficiency
To speed up the design process, scanners are used to create 3D models of existing components. This process allows components to be reverse-engineered to better leverage 3D printing capabilities, including changing component design to use less material, the addition of different topography elements or consolidating multiple components into a single part.
As an increasing number of 3D printers are deployed across the globe, Eaton’s Vehicle Group has been realizing further operational improvements including lead-time reduction and cost savings.
The 3D printing technology adds material only where it is needed and allows more advanced designs to be developed. Together, these two factors reduce the amount of post-processing operations needed while reducing material cost.
A closer look at 3D printing
The process to print metal parts and components begins with powdered metal stored in a rod and held together by wax and a polymer binder. Similar to extrusion, the metal is melted, and the 3D printer begins to add layer after layer, based on its programmed schematics.
Once the printing process is complete, the part or component is run through a chemical bath to remove most of the polymer binder. The part then goes through a furnace to remove the remaining wax and polymer, and to fuse the metal material in a high-density structure. Depending on what the printed part or component is to be used for and which material it was printed with, an additional heat treatment process can be performed to increase part strength even further.
The total lead time to get a component printed depends on several criteria, including the size and intricacy of the part. Depending on the part or component design and required tolerances, it also can undergo post-processing. The debinding operation and heat treatment are done in batches, with several different components going through these processes together while the next components are being printed. Although the printer, debinding and furnace work in an integrated loop, there is flexibility to increase the number of printers without having to duplicate either the debinding or furnace.
Going forward, the Vehicle Group’s 3D printing capabilities will be used to further reduce production time and drive efficiency. Learn more about the Vehicle Group’s Industry 4.0 technologies and benefits.
Eaton’s mission is to improve the quality of life and the environment through the use of power management technologies and services. We provide sustainable solutions that help our customers effectively manage electrical, hydraulic, and mechanical power – more safely, more efficiently, and more reliably. Eaton’s 2019 revenues were $21.4 billion, and we sell products to customers in more than 175 countries. We have approximately 92,000 employees. For more information, visit www.eaton.com.
To view this piece of content from cts.businesswire.com, please give your consent at the top of this page.
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20201021005571/en/
Contact information
Thomas Nellenbach
thomasjnellenbach@eaton.com
(216) 333-2876 (cell)
About Business Wire
For more than 50 years, Business Wire has been the global leader in press release distribution and regulatory disclosure.
Subscribe to releases from Business Wire
Subscribe to all the latest releases from Business Wire by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.
Latest releases from Business Wire
Nanochon Performs First Case in the Chondrograft™ First-in-Human Clinical Study8.9.2026 16:47:00 EEST | Press release
Nanochon, a medical device company developing Chondrograft™, a novel 3D-printed patented implant for the treatment of articular cartilage defects of the knee, today announced the successful treatment of the first patient in its First-in-Human (FIH) clinical study. The study is designed to evaluate the safety and performance of Chondrograft™ in patients with focal chondral defects of the knee. Dr. Juan Osorio and Dr. Emilio Tufiño, who both specialize in regenerative sports medicine, performed the first procedure at The Panama Clinic, Panamá. “I am pleased to be the Principal Investigator for this important study, and we are excited to be the first to initiate clinical study enrollment. The team here in Panamá looks forward to contributing the data that will support a larger clinical study and subsequent market entry,” stated Dr. Osorio. “The speed at which Dr. Osorio and the clinical team were able to identify, enroll, and treat the first patient underscores the significant unmet clini
Andersen Global Establishes New Member Firm in France8.9.2026 16:30:00 EEST | Press release
Andersen Global adds depth to its presence in France with the addition of Andersen Société d'Avocats (Andersen in France), a Paris-based member firm offering integrated legal capabilities to clients in France and internationally. Andersen in France provides strategic legal solutions on matters involving corporate tax, international tax, transfer pricing, VAT, and tax litigation, supporting clients around the world. Under the leadership of managing partners Benoît Dambre and François Morazin, the multidisciplinary team also handles specialized matters involving urban planning, real estate, intellectual property and privacy, sustainability and ESG, EU law and sanctions, and other complex legal issues. “We see legal advice as more than addressing immediate challenges; it should help clients make informed decisions and pursue opportunities with confidence,” said Benoît. “Becoming a member firm of Andersen Global allows us to combine that client-focused approach with broader international c
AI Can Design the Slides, But It Can’t Fix Stage Fright: 3 in 4 Workers Get Anxious Presenting, Canva Study Finds8.9.2026 16:00:00 EEST | Press release
New research from Canva, the world’s leading visual communication platform, reveals an emerging paradox at the heart of one of work’s age-old skills: even as AI makes presentations easier to create than ever, nearly three in four professionals (74%) still feel anxious about presenting. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260908549712/en/ Canva's Global 'The Presentation Paradox' Study Few things are as entrenched as presentations, and decade after decade, they’ve defined how we communicate to clients, teammates, leadership, and beyond. Now, AI is changing them by making them faster and easier to create than ever. Nine in 10 (91%) workers use AI monthly to build slides, mainly for design (57%), brainstorming (56%) and drafting content (49%). 48% say it saves them more than an hour per presentation. As AI use grows, more than 100 million people create presentations on Canva every month, and it is one of the top use
PAX Debuts The Oxblood Edit, a Limited Edition Collection Inspired by Fall’s Richest Color8.9.2026 16:00:00 EEST | Press release
Today PAX, a pioneering global cannabis brand, introduces The Oxblood Edit, an ultra-limited release bringing one of fall’s defining colors to three of the brand’s signature devices: PAX FOUR, PAX MINI and ERA GO. Deep, distinctive and designed to be coveted, Oxblood transforms the PAX lineup through a rich burgundy finish inspired by the worlds of fashion, interiors and industrial design. The limited collection is available beginning today at pax.com and select retailers, while supplies last. This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260908330141/en/ The Oxblood Edit: bringing timeless style, seasonal color, and elevated design to three of the brand's signature devices. Long associated with craftsmanship and enduring style, oxblood has reemerged across fashion, footwear, accessories and interiors as consumers gravitate toward richer palettes, timeless materials and elevated essentials. For PAX, the color is less about
STARTEEPO Issues Letter and Presentation to the Board of Xerox Calling for Action to Unlock Shareholder Value8.9.2026 16:00:00 EEST | Press release
STARTEEPO SICAV a.s. (“STARTEEPO”) today issued an investor presentation and the following letter to the Board of Directors (the “Board”) of Xerox Holdings Corporation (“Xerox” or the “Company”) (NASDAQ: XRX). STARTEEPO, which has increased its investment in Xerox to a beneficial ownership of 7.34%, in stocks and options, is urging the Board to take bold actions to unlock significant shareholder value, including by increasing transparency about Xerox Financial Services’ performance, evaluating strategic alternatives for the business unit, deleveraging the Company, and exercising continued capital discipline. Shareholders can view the investor presentation here. For more information visit: www.starteepo.com/xerox. The full text of the letter follows: September 7, 2026 The Board of Directors Xerox Holdings Corp. 401 Merritt 7 Norwalk, CT 06851 Dear Members of the Board: Since we first wrote to you in May, we have increased our already significant investment in Xerox Holdings Corp. to a b
In our pressroom you can read all our latest releases, find our press contacts, images, documents and other relevant information about us.
Visit our pressroom