The Use of 3D Printing in AIRFUKA’s Touchless Car Dryers
AIRFUKA is a leader in innovative solutions in the field of car wash touchless air blowers with airflow power exceeding 500 km/h. Their products are characterized by unparalleled performance and functionality while also reflecting modernity and luxury. The dryers were designed based on the experience and vision of the founders, Piotr Butrymowicz and Georg Sredic. Omni3D joined the project to develop more ergonomic and durable components for the air blowers using advanced 3D printing technology.
Project Objective
The goal of the project was to design and manufacture car air blower components that required different mechanical and technical properties taking into account:
- Ergonomics: Easy to use and user-friendly.
- Durability: Resistant to the harsh working conditions of car washes, such as water, UV exposure, chemicals.
- Vehicles Safety: Minimizing the risk of scratching the paint on luxury cars and motorcycles.
Design and Execution
The design of the dryer parts was entrusted to the printing technologists at Omni3D. Based on the owners’ ideas, the several components were designed and printed. Each part design took into consideration technical requirement and different polymer were chosen to meet the client’s requirements.
Flexible vacuum nozzles
- Material: TPU-93 (thermoplastic polyurethane) is a flexible filament characterized by softness and durability.
- Advantages: The ergonomic rounded shape and softness of the nozzles prevent accidental scratching of vehicle paint.
Handles
- Material: ASA-39 (acrylonitrile-styrene-acrylate) is a filament known for its high resistance to weather conditions and UV radiation.
- Advantages: The use of ASA-39 ensures the durability and resistance of the handles to external factors, which is crucial in car washes.
Inlet fittings
- Material: Like the handles, the inlet fittings made from ASA-39 provide high resistance to weather conditions and are stiff and durable.
Testing and Implementation
After rigorous testing, the initial prototypes of the 3D-printed parts demonstrated exceptional functionality and durability. This success paved the way for the production of additional units, which are now being systematically deployed in car washes across Poland and the Czech Republic. The positive results from these installations highlight the tangible benefits of 3D printing in enhancing car wash efficiency and performance.
Benefits
- Time and cost savings
- Dedicated serial production
- Fast part manufacturing
- Elimination of injection mold costs
- No inventory storage
The collaboration between AIRFUKA and Omni3D has brought innovative solutions to the car wash industry. It has demonstrated how quickly the process can go from prototyping to producing functional parts. Thanks to the use of advanced 3D printing technology, it was possible to create vacuum parts that are ergonomic, more efficient, and safer for vehicles. This project shows how modern industrial additive manufacturing technologies can support the development of products that meet high customer expectations, but also produce functional parts for companies requiring small-batches without incurring in traditional manufacturing costs.