Cashco Boosts Efficiency with Markforged 3D Printing

The Customer

Cashco is a global industrial control company that manufactures control valves, regulators, and vapor control devices used across various industries, including oil and gas and pharmaceuticals. With over 100 years of experience, Cashco operates two facilities in the United States and Germany. According to Cashco President Clint Rogers, "If a plant has piping, they are a potential customer." Some of Cashco's notable clients include Dow Chemical, Vopak, and Pfizer.

‍The Challenge

Cashco requires high-precision parts to manufacture equipment that controls various processes. To meet rising demand, the company uses numerous robotic arms with custom tooling. While Cashco values quality products, finding skilled toolmakers is challenging, and current employees are overwhelmed by the fabrication of low-volume tools. Clint realized new strategies are needed to meet customer demand and stay competitive.

“We have to be able to adapt to change. If we don't make these leaps forwards in the way we do things, and instead try to continue to do things we did 20, 30 years ago, we just can't keep up.”

– Clint Rogers, President, Cashco

The Solution

Clint purchased a Markforged X7 3D printer from D3 Technologies to create durable, low-volume tooling for the factory floor. He appreciated the minimal setup time, thanks to features like adaptive bed leveling and pre-print calibration, which reduced hours spent on setup. This saved time can now be used for more valuable activities, like designing tools and operating CNC machines.

The project began with designing custom end effector gripping pads for universal robots but expanded to include custom grids for pre-machined parts, reducing changeover time. The team also needed special subplate setups for lathes and mills, which typically required a machinist's time. To address this, engineers used the Markforged platform to print flexible custom mounting locator plates compatible with various machines. This approach saved significant time and costs, allowing CNC machines to focus on producing revenue-generating parts.

Time saved has improved production by reducing labor hours for custom manufacturing tools. "With the machinist's hourly rate and machine costs, our printed part prices can't be beaten," Clint explains. The extra time from the X7 3D printer has allowed Cashco to cut overhead and reassign toolmakers to production, which boosts employee satisfaction.

Furthermore, the company has invested the savings from the 3D printer back into its workforce. "This has helped us better utilize our talent and provide more value in their daily work," Clint says. "It's even allowed us to offer higher pay."

“It's allowed us to do more with the same amount of people and pay them more as well.”

– Clint Rogers, President, Cashco

The Future

Cashco enhances its products and processes by utilizing Markforged printers. Clint focuses on innovation to improve workplace satisfaction and product quality. The company now uses Markforged 3D-printed tooling for a specialized part that simplifies spring compression. "Our use of this technology extends beyond the machining department; it has also helped accelerate the assembly of our components after machining."

The Conclusion

The implementation of Markforged 3D printing by Cashco exemplifies the revolutionary potential of additive manufacturing to reduce costs, enhance operational efficiency, and reallocate resources toward higher-value activities. Such advancements have enabled the organization to remain competitive while prioritizing investment in human resources. With the assistance of Chemtron, a premier distributor in Asia, businesses seeking to adopt innovative technologies can access essential tools, comprehensive training, and technical support, facilitating a seamless transition. By integrating the capabilities of Chemtron with those of Markforged, organizations can significantly improve productivity, reduce lead times, and achieve sustainable growth.