Jigs and fixtures are critical to improving productivity and safety. Therefore, any industry involving technology and manufacturing will inevitably require 3D printing technology for jig and fixture production. Because traditional manufacturing processes often render these efficiency tools prohibitively expensive to implement in certain scenarios, 3D printed jigs or custom fixtures can be realized much faster than conventional methods would allow.

About Metrologia TECHNE

Metrologia TECHNE is an Italian technology company specializing in high-precision industrial metrology and digital solutions. Within MT testing processes, there is a substantial demand for customized, non-standard components, namely PCB positioning fixtures. MT uses MINGDA MD-1000D to solve the problems of increased cost, long lead times and the limited flexibility of outsourcing fixtures. Producing fixtures on the MINGDA MD-1000D saves 90% in costs when compared to outsourcing.

The Rising Cost of Machining and Its Associated Challenges

First, the conventional outsourced customed fixture presents several operational constraints. Production timelines typically extend 7-14 days, creating responsiveness challenges when meeting customer's urgent request.

Second, design modifications after drawing submission prove particularly restrictive under traditional outsourcing service, severely limiting adaptability during product development iterations. For urgent projects requiring frequent design updates, manufacturers often face complete production restarts.

Third, the dimensions of a large test fixture usually exceed 500×500 mm, surpassing the capacity of most consumable available 3D printers. To meet the diverse testing demands from cross-industry clients, an ultra-large-format 3D printing printer is essential.

Redefining Strategies: About 3D Printing Technology

To solve the problems and difficulties, The measurement engineer at MT, has been searching new solutions for improvement actively. During a technical consultation with engineering team, the subject was formally addressed, at which point the specialists proposed additive manufacturing-3d printing as a viable technological solution.

Following an extensive evaluation of multiple 3d printer, MT selected the MINGDA MD-1000D industrial 3D printer at last. Mr. Li was satisfied with this decision, saying, “Someone recommended another brand printer to me, but we made an extensive research and chose the MD-1000D ultimately .” He further explained on the reasons for the decision:

“First, the most important is the accuracy. We learned multiple rounds of testing sample and internal comparisons, and we are really impressive with the high precision of MD-1000D.”

“While the precision is necessary, the printer also boasts an exceptionally large build volume. Although most of our fixtures are compact, typically measuring less than 30 cm, the 1000D printing platform allows for the concurrent production of multiple parts. Additionally, when larger components are required—with area up to 500 mm²—the MD-1000D provides sufficient capacity to accommodate these needs without substantial extra costs. This combination of versatility and cost-efficiency makes it an outstanding investment.”

Exceptional Customer Service

“We sincerely appreciate MINGDA’s engineers for providing on-site training, which has deepened our understanding of the machine’s operation. As MT’s engineer noted, this is our first experience operating a large-format 3D printer of this scale, and we initially encountered some challenges. Fortunately, after we reported these issues to MINGDA, they responded immediately and dispatched their engineers to conduct comprehensive product training at our facility.” The engineer said.

The other engineer mentioned “During three day’s training, it covered everything from basic machine calibration and advanced slicer software techniques to preventive maintenance. MINGDA ’s engineer showed up all critical operational details, leaving no detail overlooked. We are now fully equipped to operate this system with confidence.”

Using 3D Printing for 90% of Testing Fixtures Cuts Costs and Boosts Part Production Efficiency

“The MD-1000D printer is currently installed in the studio. With our team's advanced proficiency in NX and SolidWorks CAD software, the engineers have possessed operational adaptation to this industrial equipment. In the past, relying on outsourced CNC machining meant a two-week lead time for custom fixtures. Since using the MD-1000D printer, we’ve dramatically accelerated production—even large-scale components can now be fabricated in under 20 hours. Notably, these parts often require no post-processing, making this solution both time-efficient and cost-effective for our needs.”

 
                                                                    Print by PLA-CF

Optimizing cost-efficiency through innovative technology while delivering premium after-sales service, MINGDA3D has become the preferred brand of professional-grade 3D printers for industrial technology companies like MT.