3-D Printing Expedites Titan Enterprises’ R&D in Flow Meter Technology
3D modelling for Titan Enterprises’ oval gear and turbine prototype flowmeters
Measurement & Instrumentation

3-D Printing Expedites Titan Enterprises’ R&D in Flow Meter Technology

Photo of Titan Enterprises Titan Enterprises Send an email 13/04/2023
359 2 minutes read
Listen to this article

“3D printing technology is fundamentally changing the way we design, prototype and test flowmeter devices within our R&D, particularly when developing specialist designs for OEM applications,” says Neil Hannay, Senior R&D Engineer with Titan Enterprises.

Titan’s research, development and design advancements are focused around finding innovative solutions for OEM customers, pushing the boundaries of both the physical properties and performance of the products.

Titan started incorporating 3-D printing technology for design over 5 years ago, at the time using a state-of-the-art FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) printer. New advances in 3D printing have seen this printer become redundant against Titan’s R&D investment in a new printer, purchased at a fraction of the cost yet capable of so much more!

With improved technology and an increased range of engineering materials available, this 3-D printing technique is taking a greater role in Titan’s research and development activities, allowing for quick and cost-effective prototyping.

Although more expensive per cubic volume of model, the precision, detail and durability of Titan’s new UV resin printer allows greater fidelity and facilitates highly iterative design. The other advantage of the resin printer is that it enables printing of replacement parts and own tools to use.

“Being able to make small, precise changes to designs along the development route to test functionality and performance enables us to fast-track through the design process,” states Neil. “This gives our R&D design engineers more freedom to experiment with novel designs at a lower cost, both in time and money, and rapid prototyping. Models and components can be tested, pushing the boundaries of concept design, durability and size in a short amount of time. As such, a tested and performing prototype that we have a good level of confidence in, can then go out to our injection moulding suppliers to produce a customer prototype.”

NSF Approved turbine flowmeter
Titan Enterprises’ NSF-Approved 800 series mini turbine flowmeter

For example, for a recent OEM turbine development, the 3D printer enabled Titan to size and fit the flowmeter’s externals to the customer’s equipment and run preliminary integrated performance tests.

Also, using transparent materials, Titan’s R&D engineers could visually examine the internal manufacture, fit and operation of the flowmeter, all of which sped up the product development dramatically.

Historically, early prototypes were produced by CNC, which takes time and is expensive. By having an in-house 3D printer, new versions can be quickly modified, and novel designs tested even the same day as conception.

Titan’s non-metallic flow meters, such as the NSF-Approved 800-series turbine meters and Beverage flowmeters used widely in the medical, food and beverage industries, lend themselves to the 3D printing process for development, progressing and enhancing designs.

To discuss an optimised flow measurement device for your specific application or process please contact Titan Enterprises on +44 (0)1935 812790 or email

Titan Enterprises
Advance Package

Titan Enterprises Limited

Titan banner-logo-625px PII

About us

With over 40-years experience in flow meter innovation, Titan Enterprises Ltd are a UK-based manufacturer of high performance solutions such as the Atrato ultrasonic flowmeter, Oval Gear flow meters and the low flow Turbine flow meters and instrument range.

Our knowledgeable team can offer either an off-the-shelf meter or fully bespoke flow system designed for a particular application whether it is a low cost OEM solution or a specialist flowmeter in exotic materials. Titan supplies innovative flow measurement solutions into a broad range of sectors, including medical, industrial, food and drink, laboratory and pharmaceutical, offshire oil & gas industry, power, chemicals and mining.

For higher volume users we can custom design a flowmeter to match exact application requirements and thus not compromise achievable results with a less than ideal sensor.

At Titan we endeavour to produce devices that are inherently reliable as well as manufactured using the latest and most economical production technology. All flow meters produced by Titan are designed and manufactured to ISO9001 and calibrated to an uncertainty of ±0.25%.

We produce chemically resistant, high accuracy digital flow meters that are not only competitively priced but are engineered to give long-term reliable performance.

What we do in a nutshell

Titan Enterprises is a leading UK manufacturer and international supplier of high-performance liquid flow measurement solutions. We specialise in the design and production of small-bore, affordable off-the-shelf flow meters to bespoke flow sensors designed to customer specifications meeting specific flow ranges and environmental conditions.

Where we supply to

Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, South America, North America

Industries we supply to

Automation, Chemicals, Consultants, Components Electronics, Energy and Power, Food and Beverage, Glass Ceramics Cement, Metals and Minerals, OEM, Paper and Pulp, Pharmaceutical Cosmetics Toiletries, Plastics and Rubber, Recycling, Textiles, Tobacco, Water and Wastewater

Something interesting you may not know about us:

Titan's R&D spend is 20% of our turnover where the industry norm is 8-10%.

  • Atrato Ultrasonic Flowmeter from Titan Enterprises, designed by Trevor Forster

Photo of Titan Enterprises Titan Enterprises Send an email 13/04/2023
359 2 minutes read
Show More

    Would you like further information about this article?

    Add your details below and we'll be in touch ASAP!


    Input this code: captcha

    Back to top button
    PII logo

    Read our latest issue here

    Join 25,000 process industry specialists and subscribe to:

    • Process Industry Informer bi-monthly magazine
    • Process Industry Update weekly E-newsletter
    • And our regular Podcast and Webinars
    Yes, Sign Me Up!

    PII has a global network of suppliers ready to help...