3D printing opens the door to new customer dialogues and more efficient production for KC Denmark
Measurable results
How much KC Denmark has saved
%
finance
%
time
Achieve significant savings
KC Denmark, which manufactures specialised sampling equipment for, among other things, seabed samples, has over the past two years invested in both equipment and capabilities to produce finished components through 3D printing.
They have already achieved significant savings by printing components that are expensive to manufacture using traditional machining, while also reducing inventory to what is necessary. In addition, working with 3D printing has made it possible to rethink the design of existing products and significantly reduce complexity.
The case: Overview and context
Through the AM Sustain programme, KC Denmark set out to address the question: what are the next business opportunities if we invest even more in 3D printing? Danish AM Hub and KC Denmark evaluated the product portfolio and identified two key opportunities:
Simpler products and lower assembly costs
Faster delivery of specialised products to new customers.
Through training and sparring in product design, KC Denmark now has the opportunity to consolidate several individual parts into one of its key products. A product that previously consisted of many components and required manual assembly can now be assembled from far fewer parts.
This means not only lower assembly costs, but also fewer errors, shorter production time, and a more robust design.
At the same time, the company now has a stronger basis for assessing which 3D printing technologies suit which products-and when it makes sense to produce in-house or via external partners.
“Once you start designing with 3D printing in mind, it changes the way you think about the product. Suddenly, it is not about how you assemble something, but about how you avoid having to assemble it at all.”
Results from programmes with Dansk AM Hub
- Simpler products
- Faster time-to-market
- Increased flexibility
- Stronger supply chain
- Lower capital tied up
Value and impact for the company
The results clearly show the potential:
- Opportunities to develop and test new, specialised products faster with new customer segments
- Greater flexibility and less dependence on external suppliers
- Significant reduction in the number of components and the need for manual assembly
- Shorter lead times and lower assembly costs
- Cost savings on complex products or small series
At the same time, 3D printing enables on-demand production of components, reducing the need for physical inventory and increasing security of supply.
Perspective: From complex constructions to intelligent design
Working with 3D printing has not only changed production-it has also opened up new ways of thinking about product development.
By integrating multiple functions into fewer components, KC Denmark can reduce both material consumption and waste. At the same time, the technology enables continuous design improvements and customer adaptations without additional tooling costs.
This makes the company better prepared for the future, where flexibility, speed, and adaptability are decisive competitive parameters.
About the company
KC Denmark A/S
Location
Silkeborg, Jutland
Number of employees
20
Info
KC Denmark A/S is a company with more than 35 years of experience, specialising in the development of various types of sampling equipment for oceanographic, environmental and pollution studies.
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