3D Printing at Schneider Electric: Increasing Efficiency through Additive Manufacturing

Schneider Electric is increasingly relying on additive manufacturing in its Smart Factory in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, to enhance production efficiency. The company, which has been manufacturing electrical components such as circuit breakers for decades, has been utilizing 3D printing technologies for several years. With the introduction of the INTAMSYS FUNMAT PRO 310 NEO in October 2024, production has been further optimized. Integrating this new technology enables the in-house production of mechanical components for the production line, significantly accelerating development processes.

Traditional manufacturing methods previously required long lead times, especially for prototyping and custom parts. Injection molding processes could delay production by several weeks, while earlier 3D printing solutions often lacked the desired speed and material versatility. The FUNMAT PRO 310 NEO presents a powerful alternative, processing industrial high-performance plastics such as PC, PA6-CF, and PPS while minimizing warping with a heated print chamber of up to 100°C. Additionally, automatic print bed calibration improves reproducibility.

One of the key advantages of the new system is its IDEX technology (Independent Dual Extruders), which expands application possibilities. Schneider Electric utilizes this feature to combine materials with different properties, such as flexible TPU95A grippers with structural PETG elements. Another application is complex welding fixtures, which can be produced within a few hours using soluble support material. The time savings compared to conventional methods are significant, as many parts that previously took 12 to 15 hours to manufacture can now be printed in just two hours.

“We prefer to use the materials produced by INTAMSYS because INTAMSUTE NEO slicing software has already built-in, optimized profiles that ensures perfect prints every single time”, said Kamen Vasilski, Maintenance Engineer at Schneider Electric.

However, maintaining an open material platform remains crucial to responding flexibly to specific requirements. Additive manufacturing not only reduces external dependencies but also lowers production costs and optimizes material usage.

With increasing digitalization, Schneider Electric plans to further expand its 3D printing capabilities to make in-house production of spare parts and manufacturing tools even more efficient. The company’s Smart Factory strategy demonstrates how additive manufacturing can optimize industrial processes and establish itself as a key component of modern production.