In the world of industrial automation, combining innovation, customisation and sustainability is essential to maintain a competitive edge. The keyword here is 3D printing automation, the strategic use of additive manufacturing to enable flexible, fast, tailored automation solutions for industrial lines.
IDM Automation: Italian Excellence in Cosmetic Automation
Founded in Vigevano in 2009 and integrated into the ILPRA Group since 2023, IDM Automation is a benchmark in designing machinery for cosmetic filling and packaging.
Their equipment ranges across makeup and skincare, hair care and personal care sectors, offering highly precise, versatile machines suitable for small and large producers alike.
IDM Automation: mission & vision
- Mission: to support cosmetic companies with automated solutions that increase efficiency and sustainability.
Vision: to become the strategic partner in industrial cosmetic automation, recognised for innovation and excellence.
The Challenge: customisation and rapid response
In the cosmetics industry every bottle, stick or tube demands dedicated solutions. Machines must adapt to varying formats, from lipstick tubes to deodorant sticks.
IDM Automation faced a series of urgent requirements:
Custom components designed for specific formats and sizes.
Lead-time reduction for prototypes and spare parts.
Cost optimisation without sacrificing quality or precision.
Traditional manufacturing methods, like tooling, moulds, machining, no longer sufficed for the pace and flexibility required.
The Solution: 3D Printing Automation with HP MJF
Through its collaboration with Prototek, IDM Automation adopted additive manufacturing (3D printing) via HP Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) technology.
This enabled the production of functional, custom components directly for automation lines.
Key benefits of 3D printing automation include:
Geometric freedom: complex parts impossible via traditional machining become feasible.
Reduced lead time: prototypes and parts ready in record time.
On-demand production: eliminates moulds and inventories, cuts costs and waste.
More responsible production: less waste material, fewer logistics steps.
Tailored customisation: components adapted to each format and fully integrable in IDM lines.
Concrete advantages of 3D Printing automation for IDM
By integrating 3D printing automation, IDM Automation has transformed its production approach:
Rapid prototyping: immediate testing and validation of components.
Increased competitiveness & customisation: even small batches benefit from tailor-made parts.
Production flexibility: machine lines adapt quickly to new formats or product types.
Responsible manufacturing: reduced waste and more efficient processes.
Custom components: designed specifically for each bottle, stick or tube format.
The role of Prototek as 3D Printing service for Industrial Automation
Prototek doesn’t just print the components. We support IDM Automation in:
Project analysis: evaluating requirements and constraints.
Material selection: choosing the most suitable polymer or composite.
Strategy definition for 3D printing automation: aligning design, production and integration.
The result is seamless integration of 3D-printed components within IDM’s lines, with precise tolerances and high performance.
Application example of 3D Printing Automation for IDM
One significant case involves the rotary monoblock and the filling/tapping line:
High-performance structural elements and supports were 3D printed.
Complex tolerances were managed successfully.
Component positioning efficiency improved on the automation line.
IDM Automation: key machinery and innovation
MACHINE
APPLICATION
MAIN FEATURES
Tube filling and sealing
Precision dosing, custom modules, compatible with make-up & skincare.
Poured lipstick production
50-position rotary table, metal moulds, liquid thermal exchange system, up to 3 000 pcs/hour, supports Ø 6–25 mm formats.
The combination of advanced machinery and 3D printing automation allows IDM Automation to respond rapidly to customer demands.
Future outlook with 3D Printing for Automation
IDM Automation is now exploring further applications of 3D printing automation, including:
Line tooling and fixtures.
On-demand spare parts for machines.
Setup and change-over tools.
This strategy reinforces the agile and sustainable approach of the company.
Conclusion
The adoption of 3D printing automation is more than a technological upgrade, it’s a strategic move to:
Reduce time and cost.
Offer extreme customisation.
Improve process sustainability.
Supported by the partnership with Prototek and the HP MJF technology, IDM Automation today stands as a pioneer of innovation in the cosmetics sector, a strategic partner for companies focused on agility and efficiency.
Would you like to discover how 3D printing automation can be applied to your production processes?
