Rapid prototyping is fast becoming a key component in various sectors. Its application has simplified complex and delicate manufacturing processes resulting in a high-grade end product. We are going to highlight some of the rapid prototyping services in industrial applications.
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Low-Volume Manufacturing Service
For those who want large-scale production of thousands of parts rapid prototyping offers the perfect solution. Low volume manufacturing is best suited for little investment in tooling providing you with quick penetration and access into the market.
What impressive about rapid prototyping is it allows quality control ensuring that easier control of long and large production process. For investors, this service bridges the gap between large-scale production and initial prototypes.
Some of the advantages of Low volume manufacturing are:
- Providing quick access to new and emerging markets
- Reduction of production lead times
- Providing fast response to short product life cycles
- Low financial cost.
3-D printing
3D printing involves the process of taking 3D data then transforming it into a solid product or model in a short period of time; the process is referred to Direct Metal Laser Melting (DMLM). 3D printing is an additive process that utilizes a powerful laser in melting and fusing corresponding layers of powdered metal turning it into a three-dimensional solid product or part
This rapid prototyping service is ideal for the production of complex and intricate shapes which allows for the combination of high strength with light weight. 3D printing comes with a lot of benefits especially if you know product optimization. Benefits include:
- The printed parts accommodate complex geometries with precise internal features that cannot be created with conventional machining
- Allows creation of quick designs minimizing material waste and maximizing product strength
- It improves material performance while boosting thermal resistance as a result of cooling channels
- Duplicate parts can be produced on a single platform for improving production efficiency.
Some of the most popular materials used in metal 3D printing are aluminum, titanium, maraging steel, and stainless steel. All metals have their advantages especially regarding mechanical performance, corrosion resistance and weight to name a few.
SLA
Stereolithography is an additive production process mainly for plastics; the process allows fast techniques that produces complex internal features that can be used for testing and experimentation.
SLA entails reaction of liquid plastic with ultraviolet (UV) rays to form a solid product or part slowly creating an object through curing successive layers with programmable UV light source. The material used in SLA prototyping creating solid objects are nylon, broad range grades of engineering plastic and ABS.
Resulting models of SLA prototyping usually have a lateral deviation of .1mm and a layer thickness of .3mm.
