Gijs de Mönnink has been working at CW Development, the 3D printing and design branch of Fenix 3D, for over three years. Gijs is responsible for our rapidly growing print farm, design for 3D printing (DfAM), and 3D printing parts for our customers.
A New Challenge Every Day
Because we work with multiple 3D printing technologies, there’s enormous variety in the types of parts Gijs encounters in a week. From quickly needed FDM prototypes, medical SLA parts to the industrial components that we regularly SLS 3D print in series of thousands. This allowed Gijs to develop extensive expertise in the advantages and disadvantages of each 3D printing technology.
But it doesn’t stop at 3D printing parts. Besides modifying or developing a part for 3D printing, Gijs also explores the best options for post-processing parts for each application. This goes beyond media blasting. At Fenix 3D, parts can also be polished, tumbled, or even painted in any desired color. These are processes Gijs developed in-house with partners to achieve the best results.
Vapor Smoothing with AMT
From early 2025, Gijs has also taken the lead role for vapor smoothing parts in the AMT PostPro SFX after identifying a clear need among customers for smoother SLS parts. In this relatively short step, the part is placed in a low-pressure chamber where a biodegradable vapor fuses the outer layer together. Gijs has conducted various tests together with our supplier AMT to optimize the “the formulation” and the process.
High Temperature Materials
Before we offer a new material through our print service, Gijs spends the first few weeks making test prints to master the material and printer perfectly. This often happens in consultation and collaboration with our customer or supplier. Gijs balances design and the customer’s requirements to create the optimal 3D print for a specific material. Currently, he’s doing this with the highly chemically resistant and high temperature resistant PEEK on our new UltiMaker Factor 4.
Design and CAD Design
Once the machines and colleagues are set to work, Gijs gets to work on further developing ideas and parts from customers. This can be optimization of existing parts and applications, but also completely new parts. Even if a part is “finished,” sometimes adjustments are needed because 3D printing has different advantages and disadvantages than traditional construction methods.
Because 3D printing offers a world of design freedom, Gijs has learned to reason from function and application rather than limiting factors like production method. Gijs creates CAD designs primarily with SolidWorks, but because the CAD world is as varied as the 3D printing world, he also has sufficient knowledge to work with customers in, for example, Fusion 360 and Onshape.
As you can see, Gijs is our top performer and all-rounder within the 3D print service! His knowledge and expertise go beyond just 3D printing; he always looks for the best total solution for our customers.
Do you have 3D printing or design questions? Contact Gijs at productie@fenix3d.nl
To read more about our print farm, you can find it here.
