How Bowman International uses AMFG to automate bearing production

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“Without implementing an automation solution in our additive manufacturing workflow, we would not have been able to achieve the same level of efficiency. Thanks to AMFG, we now also have full transparency in our workflow.” Jacob Turner, Head of Additive Production.

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The challenge

With over 40 years of industry experience, Bowman International is one of the leading manufacturers of bearings and sintered components. As part of the ongoing expansion of its ever-growing production capacities, the company recently introduced additive manufacturing – Bowman Additive Production. The division is dedicated to the finishing of bearings and components using additive manufacturing technologies. But how has the implementation of AMFG automation software helped Bowman streamline its AM production processes?

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The bearing market is facing increasing demand for additive manufacturing. The technology offers a cost-effective way to produce complex parts for end use, enabling the manufacture of products that would not be possible with conventional manufacturing processes. Bowman, with its state-of-the-art SLS and HP 3D printing systems, uses additive manufacturing to produce parts and prototypes for bearing production.

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However, after launching its additive manufacturing division, the Bowman team quickly realized that it needed an efficient way to manage its AM production facility and handle the significant volume of parts it produces on a daily basis.

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The team therefore sought dedicated workflow management software that could control every stage of the production process. This includes optimizing digital CAD files for production, processing project requests, efficient machine scheduling, and automatically generated KPI reports. Any software would also need to integrate with Bowman's internal ERP system.

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“We recognized from the outset how important the automation of our production processes is for an efficient production workflow,” said Jacob Turner, Head of Additive Production at Bowman International. “That was our motivation for searching for workflow management software tailored to additive manufacturing.”

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The Solution

After testing a number of different software solutions, the Bowman team chose AMFG's AM automation software.

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“The advantage of AMFG is that it allows us to manage the entire additive manufacturing process from start to finish,” said Jacob. “Compared to other solutions on the market, AMFG is the only solution that allows us to effectively track our projects, schedule production orders, and ensure that all our parts are tracked throughout the production process. This added transparency is exactly what we need to expand our additive manufacturing capacity.”

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After a period of consultation and training, Bowman was able to get started with AMFG. Bowman uses the software for every stage of its production cycle and is beginning to streamline its project management process. For example, instead of manually receiving new project requests via email, the Bowman team can automatically receive requests through the platform. The software, which is powered by machine learning algorithms, is then able to perform 3D printability analyses on each CAD file, including checking wall thickness.

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“With part preparation, we can optimize our CAD files before they go into production,” Jacob explains. “By automating the verification process, we've been able to save a lot of time instead of having to check each file manually.”

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Another advantage of AMFG software is that Bowman can automate much of its production. For example, the company uses the software's production management feature to assign parts to a build and check the status of each build. Thanks to AMFG's Gantt View page, the team can see which machine has been assigned to which build. Worksheets and production reports are also automatically generated by the software. Bowman's production facility is therefore able to operate smoothly and efficiently.

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The result

Bowman has already seen the benefits of implementing the AMFG system within its additive manufacturing department.

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“We were able to significantly streamline the production process from the outset, and this has improved our productivity and throughput,” said Jacob. “Without implementing a workflow automation solution, we would not have achieved the same level of efficiency. Now we have full workflow visibility and high productivity.”

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“We are also very pleased with the support provided by the AMFG team and we are excited to see what the future holds for Bowman Additive Production.”

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The company plans to implement additional AMFG solutions, including a unique digital parts catalog and supplier integration tools.

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Images courtesy of Bowman International.

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For more information, please visit www.amfg.ai or contact: press@amfg.ai