{"id":274408,"date":"2026-09-22T14:03:02","date_gmt":"2026-09-22T18:03:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/solidxperts.com\/?post_type=techtips&p=274408"},"modified":"2026-09-22T14:03:51","modified_gmt":"2026-09-22T18:03:51","slug":"onyx-gf-industrial-3d-printing","status":"publish","type":"techtips","link":"https:\/\/solidxperts.com\/en\/blog\/onyx-gf-industrial-3d-printing\/","title":{"rendered":"Onyx GF: When Color Becomes a Function in 3D Printing"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Onyx GF: When Color Becomes a Function in 3D Printing<\/h1>\n

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In an industrial environment, color is rarely chosen for aesthetic reasons alone.<\/p>\n

A red tool, a blue jig, or a green part can instantly communicate information: which machine the tool belongs to, which vehicle model it is intended for, where it should be used, or which operation needs to be performed.<\/p>\n

This use of color is part of a broader visual management<\/strong> approach, particularly common in production environments that apply Lean Manufacturing principles.<\/p>\n

The idea is simple: if information can be understood at a glance, no one needs to search for it.<\/p>\n

This is precisely where 3D printing takes on a new dimension with the arrival of Onyx GF, Markforged\u2019s new glass fiber-reinforced nylon, available in several colors.<\/p>\n

Color as a Production Tool<\/h2>\n

Using colors to quickly identify tools or equipment is nothing new.<\/p>\n

For example, in the aerospace industry, for example, precision fastener manufacturer M.S. Aerospace uses interchangeable aluminum trays that are color-coded according to the dimensions of the parts they are designed to hold [1]. The goal is not to make the shop floor more visually appealing: color simply helps operators identify the right equipment more quickly.<\/p>\n

A similar approach can be found at PalletOne, an American pallet manufacturer. As part of its Lean initiative, the company assigned each machine its own set of color-coded tools. A blue tool placed near a green machine immediately indicates that it is probably out of place. This organization improves visibility and makes tools easier to track [2].<\/p>\n

In both cases, color becomes a form of information.<\/p>\n

As a result, that information can deliver very tangible value: reducing errors, accelerating an operation, or simply preventing time from being wasted searching for the right tool.<\/strong><\/p>\n

5S: Making the Workplace Visual<\/h2>\n

More broadly, this approach fits directly into the 5S philosophy, a workplace organization method associated with Lean Manufacturing and visual control [3].<\/p>\n

The five steps are often presented by their Japanese names, English translations, and French equivalents:<\/p>\n

\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
Japanese<\/th>\nEnglish<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
Seiri<\/strong><\/td>\nSort<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Seiton<\/strong><\/td>\nSet in Order<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Seiso<\/strong><\/td>\nShine<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Seiketsu<\/strong><\/td>\nStandardize<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Shitsuke<\/strong><\/td>\nSustain<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/div>\n