Challenge
The main challenge in developing customized and innovative fittings' designs was to preserve the quality for which GROHE is known worldwide and to implement it in a 3D metal print product. The focus was to maintain the water purity, meaning that the powder material used must comply with the drinking water ordinance and must be appropriately qualified for additive manufacturing. Furthermore, thermal deformation must be taken into consideration even before manufacturing. In addition, any post-processing that could be required must be reduced to a minimum due to the high surface requirements.
Solution
GROHE's design and development team has looked very closely at 3D metal printing for many years and has built up a great deal of expertise in the technology and material qualification. In January 2018, they finally decided on two of the TRUMPF TruPrint 3000 medium-format machine. To develop the bathroom fittings, they developed their own procedure with a specific formula for the metal powder qualified for the brand. GROHE acquired their own patents in view of the drinking water ordinance required.