JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #118 - January/February 2018 - 34

SPORTS AND LEISURE
additive manufacturing

The first 3D-printed golf driver head
For over 45 years, CRP has been working for the F1 world with CRP Meccanica, CRP
Group's specialized division in precision CNC machining. For over 20 years, the company has also been active in the professional 3D printing field with the Windform
family of reinforced materials through CRP Technology. KD-1 is a precise example of
the "CRP Method", which allows the customer to rely entirely on the company from
the design phase to the delivery of the finished product.

D-1 is the first 3D-printed driver head
made from Windform high-performance 3D printing materials with a
precision CNC-machined titanium striking
face. Manufactured by CRP Technology
(CRP Group's 3D printing specialized division) and CRP Meccanica, this performance
driver golf club was co-engineered by CRP
Group and Krone Golf on behalf of Krone,
the world leader in custom-engineered
golfing equipment.
A highly ductile material
The KD-1 body structure was manufactured
by CRP Technology's 3D Printing and
Additive Manufacturing department utilizing
laser sintering and the innovative Windform

SP additive manufacturing material, a highly
ductile material with excellent mechanical
properties.
The body has four Helicoil® M4 inserts at the
end to fasten its weight.
The KD-1 face (the striking surface of the
club's head) is made of Ti6AI4V. It was CNC
machined from solid billet and sand blasted
to clean external surfaces by CRP Meccanica.
The housing was also produced in titanium.
The weight is also CNC-machined from solid
brass and sand-blasted by CRP Meccanica.
More flexibility
The combination of 3D printing and CNC
machining leads to a faster manufacturing
process, and thus time savings. Additive
manufacturing technology is much faster than
designing and producing tools for injection

moulding. Furthermore, 3D printing can
give engineers more flexibility to make design
improvements and quick changes.
Additive and subtractive processes, along
with the use of Windform 3D printing, also
improved the speed, precision, design, flexibility and part optimization for the company's
customers.
The KD-1 was swung over 2,500 times,
proving its strength and durability. It was
shortlisted as a finalist in the Consumer
Application category for the TCT Awards
2017. The event was held at the prestigious
Birmingham Town Hall. The TCT Awards are
a formal evening recognizing and celebrating
the most innovative products, technologies
and individuals in the 3DP & AM industry.
With 10 award categories decided by a judging
panel of AM experts and industry peers, the
TCT Awards are the most prestigious and
sought-after accolades in the fastest-growing
and most exciting sector of engineering.
More information:
www.crp-group.com

Not assembled golf driver
KD-1 co-engineered by
CRP and krone Golf
(courtesy of Krone Golf)

jec composites magazine / N°118 January - February 2018

http://www.crp-group.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #118 - January/February 2018