Rapid Prototyping

 

3D Printing

3D Printing (3DP) was developed by MIT; licensed to several companies including Soligen Corp and others. Ink-jet printing head deposits a fluid to fuse powder material. Unbound powder remains to support the part. The platform is lowered as more material is added and the process continues its future cycles. Part are the removed from machine, unbound powder removed and part continues post-process.
3D Systems of California has also come out with 3D printing system they call Thermo-jet. Thermo-jet has multiple ink-jet heads, which allow it to deposit and entire layer in one pass. This allows for true rapid model production.
The greatest advantage to this process is its ability to produce extremely fine resolution and surface finishing; as good as CNC machining. This process can be very slow as larger objects are made. Machine size varies depend on manufactures; one negative for 3D printing systems is the noise which they produce while in use.
3D Systems produces a ink jet printer called Thermo jet printer. This printer utilizes multi-nozzle technology. This machine has a dimension of 54” X 30” X 44” while building a model 10” X 7.5” X 8” (xyz). The machine with its multiple heads provides a much faster production process.
Use ThermoJet printer models throughout the development process for:
  • Supply chain design communication
  • Obtaining customer and vendor feedback
  • Quote/bid packages
  • 3-D faxes
  • Patterns for investment casting
  • Patterns for RTV molding
Solidscapes bench top unit, as a smaller footprint; 28” X 19.5” X 19.5” works with standard CAD files STL and SLC. This unit has exceptional finish product capabilities.
  • Direct casting of patterns
  • Works with silicone, RTV, epoxy, and other elastomeric molds
  • Can be used to build injection molding tools
 
3D Systems Corp

Solidscape, Inc.

26081 Avenue Hall 316 Daniel Webster Hwy.
Valencia, Ca 91355 Merrimack, NH 03054
Tel 888-337-9786 Tel 603-429-9700
Fax 661-295-5600 Fax 603-424-1850
   
Soligen Technologies  
19408 Londelius St.  
Northridge, Ca. 91324  
Tel 818-718-1221  
Fax 818-285-0974  
 
3D Printing is used in the following industries;
 
  • Aerospace
  • Medical
  • Automotive short run
  • Rapid Prototyping
 
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