Case Study: Hydroforming Design Light AB achieves 40% shorter design cycles with 3D Systems' full-color 3D printing

Full Color 3D Printing Improves Business Performance

Hydroforming Design Light AB is a Swedish engineering firm that uses low-pressure hydroforming to produce stronger, lighter metal components for customers ranging from Electrolux and Volvo to bicycle and furniture makers. Because hydroforming requires expensive tooling, the company needed a better way to prove the process’s value than two-dimensional PowerPoint slides and simulation readouts to convince customers to invest.

In February 2007 the company deployed a full-color 3D Systems Project printer to produce life-size, color-coded models that visualize FEA results and assembly fit. The tangible models improved customer understanding, helped detect fit and design issues before tooling, shortened design and production cycles by about 40%, and strengthened Hydroforming Design Light AB’s position as a technology leader.

Hydroforming Design Light AB

Peter Alm

Design Manager and Co-Owner