3.5.2024

(GRAND RAPIDS, MI) – Two Grand Rapids area product development executives have joined forces to launch a manufacturing solutions business, Accel Digital Solutions (ADS), with the goal of transforming the manufacturing landscape through advanced technologies in additive manufacturing. And, with only two months under its belt, the upstart company is ACCEL™erating toward that goal, thanks to a significant partnership with HP.

Based out of a facility at 2430 Turner Avenue in Walker, co-owners Brandon Teets and Tyler Marvin have launched ADS with the latest systems and additive manufacturing equipment to transform companies in sports, defense, consumer goods, aerospace, automotive, marine, and healthcare sectors. 

The company recently secured an exclusive arrangement with HP’s Personalization and 3D Printing business, which calls for ADS to test HP’s latest polymer materials in North, Central, and South America to provide a smooth finish for components that are coated or finished in some capacity. 

“We established Accel Digital Solutions in Grand Rapids because we have history here and know there is an incredible infrastructure of businesses for us to leverage our additive manufacturing products and services,” said Brandon Teets, co-owner of ADS. “Tyler and I have worked in the mass manufacturing space long enough to know the challenges engineers face with design and tooling, as well as launch. Speed and efficiency are critical, so we believe our ability to replicate a part, whether for prototyping or production precisely, will revolutionize manufacturing practices.”

Teets’ business partner, Tyler Marvin, has more than 26 years of experience in additive manufacturing and product development, with hands-on roles in model making, CNC operations, and Class A finishing.

“Having worked in mass manufacturing, Brandon and I have seen firsthand the challenges companies face in new product development,” said Tyler Marvin, co-owner of ADS. "The value we bring with additive manufacturing lies in its ability to ACCEL™erate the design and production process while reducing the upfront capital investment required for production. Our approach eliminates the need for significant capital investment in tooling. Our equipment consistently produces parts to exact specifications, with tolerances that do not vary over time. Additionally, we prioritize using recycled materials, resulting in virtually no waste."

The company’s partnership with HP is also considered a significant value-add to ADS customers. HP leaders are also excited about the recent collaboration. 

"Accel Digital Solutions is at the forefront of 3D printing innovation, leveraging our PA12 Smooth material to explore uncharted territories in manufacturing,” said François Minec, Head of 3D Polymers at HP Personalization & 3D Printing. “Their enthusiasm and pioneering approach are exactly what the industry needs to propel forward. We're thrilled to see the transformative projects ADS will undertake with our PA 12S Material, enabled by Arkema. We cannot wait to see more groundbreaking applications from ADS in our newest PA 12S Material in various industries!"

As ADS strengthens relationships in its core industries, company leaders aim to help clients see the new ways that products can be developed and engineered.

“We want to inspire our customers to be creative, imagine new ideas, and work closely with them throughout the process to meet and exceed their expectations,” adds Marvin. “We’re confident additive manufacturing will create new possibilities, and we hope the solutions we create will positively impact people’s lives.”

Benefits of additive manufacturing
The benefits of using additive manufacturing are lucrative for manufacturing business leaders to consider. Complex designs and assembly can be simplified, saving time and labor in the manufacturing process. The design-to-print (Just in Time - ‘JIT’) approach bypasses the need for a significant capital investment in tooling. The precision of the print process adheres consistently to the specifications and the smallest tolerances, something that casting and molding cannot do with repeated use over time. There’s also little to no wasted material, contributing to more sustainable manufacturing practices.
 

Additive manufacturing has additional benefits for engineers and artisan professionals from various industries. As a result of digitizing a design, it can be immediately constructed without modeling or the time and expense of creating tooling. It allows these professionals to focus more on their business, employees, and customers. The additive provides immediate results that are repeatable to exact specifications.