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Beer enjoyment thanks to 3D printing
Annoying foam when changing beer kegs? 3 Tyrolean companies have the solution: A special valve from the WESTCAM 3D printer
The advantages
From the complex production of an aircraft turbine to perfectly tapped beer – our 3D printing experts are up for any challenge! Find out what the foam on the men’s mineral water has to do with our 3D printer in this video:
A dream made of foam
Every pub owner knows the situation: a house full of guests looking forward to their perfectly tapped beer – and suddenly the keg is empty. The problem: after the change, all you get is foam.
To prevent increased foaming when changing kegs, Gruber Schanksysteme has developed a device called Keg Robot in collaboration with SFS Fluid Systeme and WESTCAM. The clue: a valve that prevents the build-up of residues that are responsible for increased foaming.
Efficient production thanks to 3D printers
SFS Fluid Systeme turned to WESTCAM for the production of this valve. The challenge: To produce a small series as cost-effectively and efficiently as possible. The solution: 3D printing for the production of the food-safe valve.
Thanks to the innovative 3D printing technology, the development and production times of the valve for the Keg Robot have been halved. In addition, thanks to production in the 3D printer, it was possible to reduce the space requirement and weight by as much as 66% compared to the previous model.
3D printing – here to stay
The perfectly tapped beer is just one of many examples of how 3D printing has long since become part of our everyday lives. Hearing aids, dentures, gas turbines, aircraft engines – even the brackets for hazard lights and parking brakes in Rolls-Royces now often come from 3D printers.
An overview of some of the advantages and possibilities of 3D printing technology:
- Decisive time and cost benefits for series parts thanks to tool-free production
- Shortening the development cycle of new products thanks to fast and cost-efficient prototyping with 3D printers
- Shortening the optimization process
- Time savings thanks to rapid spare parts production
… and many more.
WESTCAM: Your professional 3D printing partner
As an industry partner for digital production, WESTCAM can already draw on more than 18 years of experience in 3D printing and rapid prototyping. We offer professional 3D printers from leading manufacturers such as Concept Laser – a GE Additive company, Voxeljet and EnvisionTEC. We are also strong in the area of 3D printing services. The range is rounded off by 3D printing software such as from Materialise and, of course, the consumables required for 3D printing itself.
You have the task – we have the know-how, the experience and the capacity to produce your prototypes and small series quickly and cost-effectively, to test the feasibility of production or to optimize the assembly and test equipment. Tell us about your challenges – we will be happy to advise you!
