Case Study: Astec Burner Group achieves faster, lower-cost in-house prototyping with 3D Systems' ProJet 5000

Astec and MultiJet Printing Combine to Produce Working Prototypes and Scaled Plant Models

Astec, part of Astec Industries and a global leader in Hot Mix Asphalt equipment, needed to bring rapid prototyping in-house after relying on external suppliers. Their goals were faster turnarounds, lower costs, and high-quality parts and scale plant models suitable for sales, marketing and functional use.

They installed a ProJet 5000 3D printer and now run it multiple times weekly to produce prototypes and 1/48 scale plant components. The printer delivers non-porous, detailed parts that can be drilled and tapped, with good temperature and chemical resistance, cutting model production time to about one-third and reducing costs—accelerating product development, improving trade show models, and quickly offsetting the machine’s cost.

Astec Burner Group

Michael S. Swanson

P.E., Manager