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3D Printing at Techniplas

Techniplas LLC has been supplying complex plastic components to the auto industry for nearly 100 years.

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Techniplas LLC has been supplying complex plastic components to the auto industry for nearly 100 years. Now the high-tech company is embracing 3D printing and marrying the technology to more conventional plastic forming techniques.

Vice Chairman Avi Reichental says the Wisconsin-based company’s new Techniplas Digital unit, advanced manufacturing center in California and fulltime transformation officer are guiding investments in additive manufacturing that are move innovations from the fringe to the core of the company.

Reichental says the resulting next-generation trim, fascia and interior components that reduce weight—and in the latter case introduce such features as “cognitive lighting” surfaces—will begin to come to market in months and continue for the next few years.

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