3D printing capability added to Nokia’s “Factory in a Box”
08 April 2019
Nokia – a global leader in telecommunications, information technology, and consumer electronics – has added 3D Systems’ Figure 4 Standalone to its “Factory in a Box” mobile manufacturing solution – demonstrating how manufacturers can stay ahead of the demands of Industry 4.0.
Nokia partnered with several advanced technology providers to unveil the first-ever "factory in a box" concept. The intent was to demonstrate how manufacturers can stay ahead of the demands of Industry 4.0 through agile production capabilities that can be packed, transported and brought back into service in a matter of hours. At Hannover Messe 2019, 3D Systems showcased its Figure 4 Standalone plastic 3D printer as the newest technology to be integrated in Nokia’s “factory in a box.” The integration of additive manufacturing alongside augmented reality/virtual reality (AR/VR) and robotics, all powered by Nokia private 4G/5G connectivity, results in a semi-automated production workflow.
Robert Froehler, Innovation Manager, Nokia tells us more:
What is the "factory-in-a-box" project and how has it been developed?
We started the first Factory in a box in 2017 and showcased it at Hannover Messe 2018. The idea came out of Nokia’s own operations and both the first and the second version were realised together with a number of partners with Nokia providing the concept and the connectivity for the factory in a box.
What are the goals that Nokia wants to achieve with this project?
We wanted to show that Industry 4.0 is not only about flexibility inside a factory, and that we need to think beyond the walls of factory halls. We thought about an idea for "local content manufacturing", prototyping or disaster recovery – a concept "build where needed – when needed".
What role does additive production play within the "factory-in-a-box" project?
Additive manufacturing is not a necessity for the factory in a box. You can basically put any kind of technology inside if it fits the purpose of what you need the factory for and if it fits the dimensions of the container. But additive manufacturing is a key technology for Industry 4.0, just like robotics, artificial intelligence and AR/VR, and this is the reason that we have integrated these technologies into our factory in a box 2.0.
What are the reasons that have led Nokia to choose 3D System as a project partner?
When searching for the right 3D printer to integrate, 3D Systems’ Figure 4 Standalone was an obvious choice. Since its introduction, the Figure 4 platform has been recognised for its throughput and six sigma repeatability. These capabilities are exactly what we want to showcase as part of our agile manufacturing solution where speed, accuracy, and flexibility are critical.
Contact Details and Archive...