Traditional crafts and 3D printing go hand in hand in the new commitment of Fundición Artística Vilà to reduce costs and limitlessly personalize their craft projects.

About Fundición Artística Vilà

Fundición Artística Vilà is a company from Tarragona, specialized in casting bronze, aluminum, iron, stainless steel, glass and other materials for the subsequent adaptation of sculptures and all kinds of artistic works. The company was created more than 50 years ago and currently they work with a wide variety of artists, to be able to capture their works in any format and dimension that is desired.

Limitless customization thanks to 3D printing

The challenge: manufacture custom molds for each work

Fundición Artística Vilà specializes in casting materials for the adaptation and creation of large sculptural works. To carry out its work, the company manufactures molds where it can later melt the desired material and form the sculpture or artistic piece as the final product.

But the difficulties for the creation of some moulds, and especially their high cost, are factors that sometimes limit the possibilities of creating works of art and, consequently, of the artists. Thus, Fundición Artística Vilà was looking for a new method to mold the final piece, which offered more possibilities and at an affordable price.

The solution: 3D printing

From INTECH3D we began a process of research into the needs of Fundición Artística Vilà, who used to prepare their molds through Conformative Technology. After personalized advice, we detected that with a suitable 3D printer they could create their custom-made moulds, of the highest quality and with previously impossible shapes, offering their clients new possibilities in shapes, dimensions, hardness and finishes.

• Applied 3D technology: Stereolithography or SLA (Laser technology that solidifies liquid into solid, layer by layer, through photopolymerization)
• 3D material used: Castable Wax Resin (Material reinforced with wax, special for foundries)

Project results: Customization of works and reduction of time and costs thanks to 3D printing

Now, 3D printing offers Fundición Artística Vilà and its clients the possibility of creating impossible geometries, defined details, reliefs, meshes and much more complex shapes than usual. And not only that: the manufacturing process is much faster, easier and cheaper than with the usual methods.

The uses of the 3D printer in his foundry are very diverse and the possibilities of creation are multiplied. With this new technology, Fundición Artística Vilà not only guarantees that its clients' designs and proposals can be carried out regardless of the difficulty of the project, it can also manufacture several different molds for the creation of the final product, carry out tests to adjust measurements and to be able to show a first result to your clients. The limit is only found in the artist's imagination and not in the manufacturing method.

Fundición Artística Vilà decided to trust us to update its manufacturing methods and bet on 3D printing technology, and they obtained a more than positive result. This commitment to 3D printing makes the company a pioneer in the craft sector, being able to offer many more possibilities for creating sculptures, pieces and works of art and standing out from the competition. From INTECH3D we are very proud of their result and we hope that they continue to bet on innovating, growing and updating themselves with the latest news that can improve their day-to-day life in the crafts and foundry sector.

The INTECH3D 3D Consulting process

INTECH3D we are business advisers and consultants, in the field of the integration of additive production technologies in the value chains of companies. We take responsibility for the correct integration of the teams in the value chain of each company or business:

• Advice during the choice of the right technology
• Marketing of equipment, consumables and spare parts
• Training for the use of the necessary Hardware and Software
• Integrated equipment maintenance
• Official technical service for all products marketed

The INTECH3D technical team has more than 6 years of experience in various 3D printing technologies. We have different technologies and manufacturing materials with 3D printing, to cover the different technological or business needs of each sector:

• Conceptual prototypes
• Functional prototypes
• Final components
• Workshop tools
• Spare parts
• Short and medium production series.

It is also very important that all the departments of the same company know all the possibilities and benefits that 3D printing can bring to their sector:

• Risk reduction in manufacturing
• Reduced manufacturing costs
• Reduced manufacturing time
• Validation with a prototype before making an investment in final manufacturing
• Manufacture "on demand", without discarding material.
• Reduction of the "Time to Market" of the final product
• Manufacture of "Bridge" series to know its fit in the market
• Possibility of making short production series
• Elimination of time in the provision of Stock

If you want to apply 3D printing technology in your company or business, do not hesitate to contact us. We are at the service of companies for the immediate resolution of any doubt or query related to the use of the equipment.