New Technologies
Design Concepts/Marine Concepts has been in business over 40 years and–with that–has seen the continuous advancement in technology in the tooling industry. One area of focus, specifically important to DCMC, is the advancement of plug-building technology–one of our core competencies. Founded in the 1970s, our first value proposition focused on creating hand-lofted, traditionally built patterns. Add a team of highly trained engineers, forward-looking leadership, excellent software packages, six 5-axis mills, and fast-forward 42 years, and you have the modern plug construction our customers expect day in and day out. However, Mill 6, our largest and newest mill, with an envelope of 67’ x 28’ x 13’, certainly could not have been conceived without the lessons we have learned over the years. Now, as we continue to grow, we are taking all of the expertise our team has discovered and are looking at the next player in the CAD/CAM arena, 3-D Printing.
Over a year ago, we collaborated with Thermwood and Techmer PM© to develop and print a boat hull plug in less than ten days. Since then, we have continued to review additive manufacturing, collaborating with another company in the additive space, analyzing it from tolerance/thermal expansion, durability, cycle time and marketability standpoints. We are currently using this research to help some of our advanced composite customers develop more cost-effective tooling–on time and within budget.
Is 5-axis machining going away? No, but at DCMC, we realize that 5-axis machining has its benefits, and 3-D printing does as well. Our goal is to provide the best service and expertise our customers demand in whatever application and goal they are trying to achieve.
Over a year ago, we collaborated with Thermwood and Techmer PM© to develop and print a boat hull plug in less than ten days. Since then, we have continued to review additive manufacturing, collaborating with another company in the additive space, analyzing it from tolerance/thermal expansion, durability, cycle time and marketability standpoints. We are currently using this research to help some of our advanced composite customers develop more cost-effective tooling–on time and within budget.
Is 5-axis machining going away? No, but at DCMC, we realize that 5-axis machining has its benefits, and 3-D printing does as well. Our goal is to provide the best service and expertise our customers demand in whatever application and goal they are trying to achieve.