Customer: MACHINE CONSTRUCTION COMPANY (fixture construction)
Industry: Mechanical engineering
Technology: innovatiQ TiQ 2 - industrial 3D printer
Material: PA-CF (carbon fiber reinforced polyamide)

Introduction/challenge
The support bearing for bevel gears fulfills a central task in the safe and precise mounting of gear shafts - it absorbs the radial and axial forces generated by the gearing when the bevel gears mesh. A mechanical engineering company was faced with the problem that the support bearing bracket of an important bevel gearbox was developing cracks due to repeated loading.

• Original spare parts had very long delivery times (up to 6 weeks).
• Production downtime was imminent, resulting in high costs.
• Conventional milling and casting processes would have been expensive and time-consuming.

The company decided to use its own TiQ 2 Plus FDM 3D printer with fiber-reinforced PA-CF (polyamide-carbon fiber).

• The design of the component geometry was taken directly from the CAD model and slightly adapted (material reinforcements at critical points).
• The support bearing was printed in-house within 36 hours.
• The use of PA-CF ensured high rigidity and wear resistance.

• The new support bearing was immediately ready for use and could be successfully integrated into the bevel gearbox.
• The service life met the requirements in the tough production environment.
• An unplanned production stop was completely avoided.
  
  

• Time saving: Reduction in delivery time from 6 weeks to 2 days.
• Cost savings: Significantly lower production costs compared to CNC or casting processes.
• Flexibility: Possibility to produce or adapt components again immediately if required.
• Competitive advantage: The company was able to meet its delivery commitments and minimize downtimes thanks to its ability to react quickly.

Print example: SUPPORT BEARINGS FOR CASTOR WHEEL GEARBOXES

Printer: innovatiQ TiQ 2 Plus

Material: PA-CF