Voxeljet & ART Partnership Means Industrial 3D Printing for Mexican Foundries; Entry into Automotive

When I think of Mexico, I nearly immediately equate it with cars. Lots and lots of honking cars and managed chaos all piled into traffic, many weaving and switching lanes precariously, and with a ‘don’t mind if I do’ tapping your bumper while maneuvering into a better position. From Mexico City to Guadalajara, whether you’ve lived there or just done the tourist schtick, there are probably some traffic nightmares lodged in your long-term memory, even if it’s just from being jostled around in that VW bus that picked you up at the airport and then convinced your death was imminent before reaching the hotel.

For those who live there, it’s business as usual—as is buying a car. But what might switch things up a little is the knowledge that soon many of those vehicles will be bearing 3D printed parts, and this should mean a lot of business for those playing their cards right technology-wise, as world player and 3D printing specialist voxeljet takes a strategic interest in that area of North America, partnering up with automation company Art Abastecedora Industrial S. de R.L. de C.V. (ART).

ART has a pretty impressive client list, to say the least. A quick perusal shows that they’ve worked with numerous big names in the auto industry, like:

• Daimler Chrysler Corporation
• General Motors de Mexico
• Ford Motor Company
• Volkswagen de Mexico
• Nissan Mexican

This company, with a specialty in robotics, has been responsible for putting numerous companies on the map in the automation market with their high-tech solutions, such as Automatic Feed Co. and Mayfran International. They were founded in 1988 specifically to offer technological support to the automotive industry within Mexico.

“With its extensive experience in the automotive sector and its collaboration with global leaders, ART is the ideal business partner for the Latin American market. As an automation expert, the company contributes comprehensive competence for marketing our products in Mexico in the future,” says Christian Träger, Sales Director at voxeljet.

The German manufacturer, divided into voxeljet SYSTEMS and voxeljet SERVICES, undeniably operates on a much more expansive level, and that’s only been growing as we’ve recently reported on their recent foray into China as well as India. Keeping an ever-vigilant eye on global growth, voxeljet is also focused on other areas in Mexico that should prove to be more lucrative in the future such as:

• Machine building
• Transportation
• Energy

You probably aren’t surprised to hear that Mexico is number seven on the list when it comes to producing cars, however. Keeping at what they excel in, they also boast an enormous and continually growing OEM market for cast parts—and that, of course, is where 3D printing can make an entrance.

“Our industrial 3D printing systems are front and center in our collaboration with ART. By using 3D printers from voxeljet, large foundries can optimize their production processes for molds and models,” said Träger.

In Mexico, the introduction of 3D printing on a larger scale will introduce a host of new benefits for foundries that will reap the rewards of faster production, greater affordability, more efficiency in the workplace—and very importantly—more precision. voxeljet will be bringing forward large-format industrial 3D printers for these foundries, further accelerating processes, and allowing for more flexibility and versatility in the global market as well.

“We are pleased to develop the market for industrial 3D printing in Mexico together with voxeljet, while at the same time addressing the considerable market demand,” adds Dipl.-Ing. Rafael Martínez Velásquez, President of ART.

If you check out the ART website, you’ll see that 3D printing is not yet listed in their information regarding automotive; soon, however that will change as they kick into gear with the voxeljet partnership, greatly enhancing their product portfolio—and managing all marketing of voxeljet 3D printing systems and associated services in Mexico. Discuss further in the voxeljet 3D Printing in Mexico forum over at 3DPB.com.

The VX4000 from voxeljet is the world’s largest industrial 3D printer.