{"id":4249,"date":"2020-03-02T10:49:27","date_gmt":"2020-03-02T09:49:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/am-hub.dk\/cases\/silkeborg-stigefabrik-reduces-prototyping-from-four-weeks-to-four-days\/"},"modified":"2026-09-02T12:50:05","modified_gmt":"2026-09-02T10:50:05","slug":"silkeborg-stigefabrik-reduces-prototyping-from-four-weeks-to-four-days","status":"publish","type":"cases","link":"https:\/\/am-hub.dk\/en\/cases\/silkeborg-stigefabrik-reduces-prototyping-from-four-weeks-to-four-days\/","title":{"rendered":"Silkeborg Stigefabrik reduces prototyping from four weeks to four days"},"content":{"rendered":"
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In <\/span>Production Optimisation<\/a><\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\n

Silkeborg Stigefabrik reduces prototyping from four weeks to four days<\/h1>\n<\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\n

Estimated cost reduction of approx. 50%<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n

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Alimak Group Denmark A\/S is, through its brand <\/span>Silkeborg Stigefabrik<\/a>, Denmark\u2019s largest supplier of ladders in wood, aluminium and fibreglass, as well as mobile lifts, scaffolding, and bespoke solutions.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

In addition to professional ladders for, among others, tradespeople, window cleaners and chimney sweeps, Silkeborg Stigefabrik also offers a wide range of products for private customers. The Silkeborg Stigefabrik brand has Denmark\u2019s largest selection of ladders, scaffolding and stairways-and works with the leading manufacturers in the Nordic region, who ship the goods directly from the factory to your front door. In addition to the private segment, the markets are generally industry, contractors, building trades and the wind industry. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n

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Measurable results<\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\n

This is how much Silkeborg Stigefabrik has saved<\/strong><\/h2>\n<\/div><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n
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Project background<\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\n

In recent years, Alimak Group Denmark A\/S has had plastic components produced by external suppliers in the Far East, including India. Alimak Group Denmark A\/S does not develop its prototypes in-house, as it does not have a machine set-up capable of handling these tasks. Alimak Group Denmark A\/S has therefore sought a process-development\/manufacture of a prototype\/proof of concept-that can shorten lead time ahead of tooling and the final physical version. <\/p>\n

Until now, the prototype task and responsibility have rested with Alimak\u2019s Indian subcontractor, and the company has therefore been dependent on long delivery times for a given prototype-up to 4 weeks. It has also often turned out that the prototype in question was not quite as expected. As a result, a further 4 weeks has frequently been added to the process before the final prototype reached final approval in Silkeborg. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n

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The process<\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\n

In collaboration with the programme run by <\/span>Danish AM Hub<\/a> initiated <\/span>Centre for Industry<\/a> <\/span>and Alimak a joint development project focusing specifically on PROTOTYPING. The company was provided with a MakerBot Replicator 3D printer as part of its technology assessment process. <\/p>\n

At Alimak, a technology assessment was therefore carried out first. Here, four items (within the main areas of development\/prototyping, production\/AM and tooling) were selected to be included in this process. Files, drawings, cost calculations, etc. were included in the preparation of the technology assessment analysis. Alimak printed parts in-house on a Makerbot Replicator 3D printer and benchmarked this against external execution and conventional manufacturing technology. <\/p>\n

During the process, Alimak was able to work with files received from customers-for 3D printing and to carry out proof-of-concept tests. With 50% infill, print time is 3\u20134 hours to manufacture the component. <\/p>\n<\/div><\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<\/div>\r\n\r\n

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Results from programmes with Dansk AM Hub<\/h3>\n<\/div><\/div>\r\n\r\n