{"id":72821,"date":"2026-11-12T00:01:41","date_gmt":"2026-11-11T23:01:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.3dnatives.com\/en\/?p=72821"},"modified":"2026-11-09T12:21:51","modified_gmt":"2026-11-09T11:21:51","slug":"aitiip-streamline-manufacturing-12112026","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.3dnatives.com\/en\/aitiip-streamline-manufacturing-12112026\/","title":{"rendered":"From a 3D File to an Industrial Part: How to Streamline Manufacturing"},"content":{"rendered":"

What happens after you send a 3D file to an additive manufacturing<\/a> provider? Before manufacturing a part, you must verify that its geometry is feasible, select a material, choose the appropriate technology, and calculate the cost and lead time. After that, other stages come into play, such as post-processing and quality control. Printing is only one part of the process.<\/p>\n

For industrial additive manufacturing services, streamlining these tasks is a way to simplify access to the technology. Artificial intelligence (AI) is beginning to be used to automate some of the pre- and post-printing operations, from file analysis to production planning. AITIIP,<\/strong> a technology center<\/strong> based in Zaragoza, Spain, is an example of this application. Its online quote generator analyzes 3D files and streamlines the preparation of manufacturing proposals.<\/p>\n

Choosing How to Manufacture a Part: The First Step<\/h2>\n

Not all industrial parts require the same manufacturing process. A complex geometry may make 3D printing the best choice, while other applications call for specific materials, tight tolerances, or finishes that require additional operations. There are also cases where machining or injection molding is more suitable.<\/p>

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That\u2019s why having different technologies under one roof can be an advantage when tackling a project. AITIIP is a private technology center with more than 25 years of experience, over 170 professionals, and 18,000 m\u00b2 of facilities. Its additive manufacturing laboratory is equipped with 23 machines covering processes for polymers, resins, composites, and metals.<\/p>\n

Available technologies include HP Multi Jet Fusion<\/a>, industrial fused deposition modeling<\/a> (FDM), and selective laser melting<\/a>, as well as industrial extrusion solutions for high-performance materials such as ULTEM and PEEK. The center also offers machining, injection molding, metrology, and testing capabilities.<\/p>\n

This combination makes it possible to assess the requirements of each part and determine which process is best suited for it. In some projects, the solution may be a 3D-printed part; in others, it will be necessary to machine the part after printing or to use a conventional technology.<\/p>\n

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Part printed using Multi Jet Fusion in Dual Tone mode, which allows for the production of a part in two colors.<\/p><\/div>\n

The selection of the process is, therefore, a technical decision that depends on the application, not just on the geometry of the file. And it is precisely in the stages leading up to manufacturing that AITIIP has begun to incorporate artificial intelligence tools.<\/p>\n

Streamlining the Quote Process from the 3D File<\/h2>\n

Preparing a quote for an additive manufacturing service requires analyzing the part, evaluating the available technologies, and estimating production costs. These tasks are time-consuming even before manufacturing begins.<\/p>\n

To streamline this process, AITIIP has developed an online quote generator<\/strong> that creates a technical and financial proposal based on a CAD file. The tool checks geometric aspects\u2014such as mesh errors, units, and minimum wall thicknesses\u2014and calculates parameters like the part\u2019s volume, envelope, and orientation.<\/p>\n

Based on this information, it proposes up to six polymer and metal technologies. The system uses a model based on the center\u2019s history of thousands of actual quotes to calculate a price and delivery time in seconds. The user completes the order online within the same workflow.<\/p>\n

The tool automates part of the initial checks and provides an initial proposal. For a company looking for a supplier in another European country, this facilitates the first point of contact with the service without having to travel to the supplier\u2019s facilities and can reduce the number of emails and phone calls needed to obtain a quote.<\/p>\n

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AITIIP’s additive manufacturing lab houses 23 machines for working with polymers, resins, composites, and metals.<\/p><\/div>\n

Pablo Murillo, director of Artificial Intelligence and Additive Manufacturing at AITIIP, emphasizes that the goal is to make the service accessible to companies throughout Europe, with the same pricing, turnaround times, and technical proposals regardless of whether the client is located in Zaragoza, Lyon, or Stuttgart.<\/p>\n

Tailoring Manufacturing to Every Industrial Need<\/h2>\n

AITIIP\u2019s additive manufacturing applications span sectors with very different requirements, such as rail, aerospace, and automotive. In the case of Renfe, Spain\u2019s leading rail operator, the center works on manufacturing replacement parts that are no longer available on the market or that have long lead times.<\/p>\n

Since 2023, AITIIP has been operating the 3D Printing Center at the Villaverde maintenance base in Madrid with its own staff. According to the center, it is the only additive manufacturing laboratory authorized by Renfe in Spain. Among the components it produces are closure assemblies, valve spacers, and fan covers.<\/p>\n

The technology and material are selected based on the characteristics of each part. Solutions used include ULTEM 9085 CG, PA12 via Multi Jet Fusion, and aluminum and steel manufactured by laser fusion, with subsequent machining when necessary.<\/p>\n

In these types of applications, it is not enough to simply reproduce a component\u2019s geometry. It is also necessary to verify that the material and the part meet the requirements of their operating environment. AITIIP works with railway components<\/strong> subject to fire and smoke requirements in accordance with the EN 45545-2 standard and implements traceability on a per-unit basis. According to data provided by the center, the service generates savings of over 500,000 euros annually for Renfe.<\/p>\n

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Aluminum parts manufactured by laser melting on an SLM 280, still on the powder bed.<\/p><\/div>\n

In the aerospace sector<\/strong>, the collaboration with Airbus focuses on the manufacture of tooling tailored to specific production operations. These tools can be designed to reduce weight and manufactured in less time than through certain conventional processes. Reducing the delivery time for a jig from weeks to days can facilitate the preparation of an industrial operation.<\/p>\n

The automotive sector<\/strong> offers another example with Stellantis. In these projects, AITIIP manufactures door prototypes and shop floor jigs that enable functional validation before investing in a mold. Thus, additive manufacturing can be used to test a solution before committing resources at a later stage of development.<\/p>\n

The three cases involve different needs, but they share one common factor: the process must be tailored to the application\u2019s requirements. The variety of technologies and technical evaluation are essential for determining how to manufacture each part, while automation can streamline the tasks required to fulfill the order.<\/p>\n

Automating Tasks Related to 3D Printing<\/h2>\n

The online quote generator is one of the visible applications of AITIIP\u2019s digitization strategy. The center also uses AI tools for machine scheduling, part nesting and orientation, order tracking, and production traceability.<\/p>\n

These operations influence how work is organized. Scheduling must take into account equipment availability and order specifications, while nesting and part orientation determine how parts are prepared for manufacturing. Automating some of these tasks can reduce manual labor and streamline order management.<\/p>\n

AITIIP also identifies the application of AI to in-line quality control and failure prediction as next steps. These tools could extend automation capabilities to new stages of the process.<\/p>\n

In any case, automation does not eliminate the need to verify results or evaluate parts according to the requirements of their application. In an industrial setting, its usefulness depends on the task at hand and the information available for decision-making.<\/p>\n

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Although AI automates tasks such as budgeting and planning, AITIIP’s technical team oversees every order.\u00a0<\/p><\/div>\n

AITIIP Showcases Its Capabilities at Formnext 2026<\/h2>\n

With an additive manufacturing offering that spans polymers and metals, AITIIP aims to expand its operations beyond Spain and collaborate with companies in other European markets. Formnext 2026<\/a><\/strong> will be an opportunity to showcase its capabilities and connect with manufacturers and engineering firms seeking an industrial partner.<\/p>\n

The center will be in Frankfurt from November 17 to 20 at the ADDIMAT<\/strong> (Spanish Association of Additive Manufacturing Technologies) group booth in Hall 12.0, Booth C121<\/strong>. In addition to displaying parts produced using its various processes, it will present its online quote generator, which will allow visitors to upload a 3D file and receive a technical and cost proposal. This way, visitors can explore the service\u2019s possibilities based on a specific application before starting a project.<\/p>\n

If you\u2019d like to see AITIIP\u2019s additive manufacturing capabilities firsthand and explore potential applications for your projects, visit the team during the trade show or get more information HERE<\/a><\/strong>.<\/p>\n

Would you use AITIIP? Let us know what you think in a comment below or on our LinkedIn<\/a> or Facebook<\/a> pages! Plus, don\u2019t forget to sign up for our free weekly Newsletter<\/a> to get the latest 3D printing news straight to your inbox. You can also find all our videos on our YouTube<\/a> channel.<\/p>\n

*All Photo Credits: AITIIP Technology Center<\/em><\/p>\n

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