When a longtime customer supporting a next-generation military vehicle program needed fast production of a critical three-piece hinge assembly, time was non-negotiable. Engineers evaluated multiple options—including machining from solid and 3D metal printing—but neither could meet the aggressive timeline, cost targets, and certification requirements demanded by the U.S. Department of Defense.
Barron Industries delivered the solution through its hybrid additive investment casting process. By 3D printing the patterns and eliminating tooling, Barron accelerated production while maintaining the material integrity required for defense applications. Combined with fully integrated in-house machining , NDT and assembly, the team executed a highly agile production schedule.
Working from customer-supplied CAD data, Barron optimized the design for casting and delivered fully finished, heat-treated, machined, assembled, passivated, and CMM-inspected components in just six weeks.
The result: a faster, more cost-effective alternative to 3D metal printing—without the certification challenges—demonstrating Barron’s ability to help defense manufacturers rapidly move from design to deployment.
