[Reverse Engineering Application] 3D Printing + Scanning Customer Success Story - Meat Product Company Optimizes Production Line with 3D Printing

【3D Printing + Scanning Application】Customer Success Story - Meat Product Company Optimizes Production Line Through 3D Printing

Since 2003, Gourmet Cazorla has been producing meat products and pâtés, with its factory in Linares, Jaén, producing over 150 different flavors of pâté.

Over the years, the company's production has continued to grow. Since 2022, the company began exploring how to leverage 3D printing technology to optimize its production line. Thanks to Ultimaker 3D printers and SHINING 3D scanners, Gourmet Cazorla has not only improved efficiency but also successfully saved time and costs.

【Challenge】- Custom Production of Spare Parts

Since the company started as a small meat product factory, it used to rely on third-party suppliers for spare parts. This resulted in long delivery times, significant human resources and costs, and the need to halt production lines, causing considerable stress for employees every time work commenced.

Since realizing the potential of 3D printing technology, the engineering department has been able to design new parts to improve processes.This also gives them the opportunity to create their own unique designs.
"We are always coming up with new spare parts to put into production. Thanks to the time and money saved, 3D printing technology quickly paid for itself, and we plan to continue using these technologies in the factory." - Juan Alberto Marín, Maintenance Manager at Gourmet Cazorla


【Solution】- Utilizing FDM 3D Printers + 3D Scanner for Reverse Engineering Design


The pâté producer consulted 3D printing experts at Sicnova for solutions needed on their production line.They purchased an Ultimaker S5 3D printer, conducting their first research into the field of rapid prototyping. Subsequently, they added a SHINING 3D EinScan SP scanner to digitize smaller, more challenging parts for future flexible use.
 

The Ultimaker S5 3D printer can also be equipped with an Ultimaker S5 Air Manager to protect against invisible risks, providing effective protection for your working environment.

The SHINING 3D EinScan SP scanner can perform automatic scanning with a turntable; manual scanning can also be done with a tripod.

Gourmet Cazorla explained their production needs to Sicnova. Sicnova not only showcased the technology but also designed some parts to begin testing the components on the production line. Since then, the meat processing plant has been using nylon to 3D print specific accessories and spare parts for its production line. Occasionally, they also use PLA as a more cost-effective material.

【Results】Lid positioner saves 90% of costs, faster spare parts

Since adopting digital manufacturing technology, Gourmet Cazorla has been able to print its own lid positioners (clamping parts used to secure lids onto jars) and conveyor belt feeder combs. In addition, they also print accessories and covers for their machines.

                                       
                                                               Lid positioner and other accessories                                                                                     Feeder comb
 

Compared to the original cost of the parts, 3D printing lid positioners for pâté jars saved 90%. Previously, they ordered these parts from manufacturers for 1000 euros each, with a 20-day delivery time. But now, they can produce replacements in just three days. The company is already considering other 3D printing applications, such as railings and guides on the production line.

For Juan Alberto Marín and his team, 3D printing and scanning have become key technologies for Gourmet Cazorla. "The investment quickly paid for itself due to the time and money saved, and we will continue to use it for more projects," said Marín.

*Video produced by Ultimaker partner Sicnova