The Dimension 3D printer celebrates 10 years
Stratasys (Nasdaq: SSYS) is celebrating the 10-year anniversary of the Dimension 3D printer line. Introduced in 2002 at $29,900, the Dimension 3D Printer opened new possibilities for designers; it is a reliable, compact, simple-to-use machine. Its introduction enabled designers to not only produce models for design verification, but also to test function because the printer uses... Read More
Bigger and Better
We’ve posted tips in the past regarding maximum part size, but since our moldable dimensions have continued to increase, we thought it was time for an update. Some of the figures that follow are simple and absolute; others may vary based on multiple factors. If your design seems to be approaching the limits, the best way to determine whether Proto Labs can mold it is to submit... Read More
Paramount Industries promotes high temperature laser sintering
More government agencies and manufacturers are sourcing laser sintering for direct part production. In contrast to traditional manufacturing methods, laser sintering can deliver plastic parts with highly complex geometries with impressive strength-to-weight ratios. In many cases, hundreds of parts can be directly manufactured from 3D CAD digital models long before tooling is available... Read More
3D printed car dashboard on display at SolidWorld World 2012
Objet Ltd. announced that it will showcase a full-size, 3D printed car dashboard from StreetScooter at this year’s SolidWorks World in San Diego from February 12-15. Shown for the first time in the United States, the five-foot wide fully-assembled dashboard prototype was created with multi-material printing, including Objet’s ABS-like Digital Material, and features a display... Read More
Tips on Clips Part 2: Make it Snappy
Plastic’s ability to flex without permanently deforming allows molded parts to incorporate a variety of snap fasteners other than the common hooked cantilever clip. These include: • annular (round) snaps • torsional snaps, which store return force by twisting rather than bending • compressive snaps, which work by compressing and then returning to hold the fastener in place. Annular... Read More
Unique additive manufacturing process for building metal parts–electron beam direct manufacturing
Sciaky, Inc. is a Service-Disabled Veteran-Owned Small Business (SDVOSB) that provides advanced welding systems and services. It has recently entered a U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) Mentor-Protégé Agreement with the Aeronautics business area of global security giant Lockheed Martin. With assistance from the DoD Small Business Innovative Research (SBIR) program, Sciaky, a subsidiary... Read More
A closer look at injection molding
Periodically we will be showing you potential service providers and resources for your rapid prototyping and rapid manufacturing needs. Here’s an interesting video from a Michigan company, PTI Engineered Plastics. PTI is a full-service thermoplastic injection molder supplying industry with products for prototype, short runs as well as low and high volume production. For... Read More
In-house Prototyping Helps Auto Vendor Go to Final Design Faster
By Chris Hoins, Controller, Stratasys, Inc. In-house prototyping versus outsourcing-here’s one company’s choice and why. Manufacturing and assembling each of the components of a Koenigsegg car is labor intensive as more than 300 carbon fiber parts make up each high-tech supercar. The best method of designing a new car is to test the parts both virtually and as true-to-life... Read More
If you draw it, will it “print”?
The processes involved in Additive manufacturing (AM), including 3D printing, stereolithography, polyjet, and fused filament fabrication, all promise design freedom. This technology has not replaced traditional manufacturing yet. So, many parts will still need the usual manufacturing processes to make in quantity. Understanding the nuances and needs of each type of AM machine will... Read More
CNC machining speeds the development of custom gearwheels
Michal Zalewski is a multitalented guy – a successful software engineer by day, and robotics hobbyist in the evening and on weekends. He became serious about robotics almost six years ago, and quickly realized that the most significant limitation is the need to rely on expensive pre-made or made-to-order structural components to move assemblies, custom gearwheels, and so forth.... Read More
Now that the open source concept has migrated from software to hardware, it's the right time for a hackable robot that can make "
Here I'm 3D printing a chess piece. This is the second chess piece I've been printing. Here it is in a picture:http://reprap.erik
Dr Adrian Bowyer of the RepRap project http://reprap.org shows us around his lab at Bath University.
From CAD to prototype
RedEye, a business unit of Stratasys, unveiled the world's first full scale custom motorcycle, created entirely from using rapid proto
