06-17-2014: 3D Systems unveiled a high-speed 3D printing assembly line for Google’s Project Ara
It was the first (and failed) attempt at continuous mass production using AM
On June 17, 2014, 3D Systems revealed the first details of its high-speed 3D printing assembly line intended for mass product personalization. The line was developed for the famous Project Ara - a modular smartphone developed by Google.
It was a completely innovative approach to additive manufacturing, changing the logic of 3D printing and going beyond the scheme of a single 3D printer. Unfortunately, the project never made it beyond the R&D department and was abandoned along with Project Ara itself.
Google's Ara project was an ambitious initiative to create a modular smartphone that would allow users to freely swap out individual components of the device, such as the camera, battery, processor, and memory, depending on their needs and preferences. The project was initiated by the Advanced Technology and Projects (ATAP) team at Google.
The project was based on three pillars:
modularity - users could swap out modules, allowing them to customize their phone to their individual needs without having to buy a new device,
personalization - users could personalize the look and functionality of their phone, such as adding a better camera or a larger battery.
ecology - the modular design had the potential to reduce electronic waste, as users could only swap out broken or outdated components, rather than the entire device.
3D Systems was to be responsible for producing the Ara module components using 3D printing technology. The challenge, as always, was scalability. The company had a rather unconventional solution: instead of a print head moving above a print bed, several print beds moved along a racetrack-like architecture, passing multiple stationary print heads that deposited material on each one.
Similar to an assembly line, as one object was being completely 3D-printed, its print bed would be turned away from the main track, and a new print bed would be brought onto the track to begin assembly. Each printed object could be composed of multiple materials, as well as multiple colors.
This was supposed to be the high-speed, custom, continuous, and fully automated additive manufacturing. Unfortunately…
Despite the great interest and innovative approach, the Google Ara project encountered numerous technical and logistical challenges. In 2016, Google announced that it was suspending the development of the Ara project, which in practice meant its end.
The reasons were, among others, difficulties in achieving the intended technological goals and complications related to mass production and ensuring an appropriate level of reliability of the modules. 3D Systems also ended the project, especially since it itself was struggling with a number of organizational and financial problems at the time…
Source: www.3ders.org