First, the bad news: injection molded parts are subject to a host of cosmetic flaws including sink, gate vestiges, ejector pin blemishes, drag marks, texture flaws, knit lines, burns, flash, and inconsistent coloring. The good news is that adherence … [Read more...] about How to make injection molded parts look good
Industries
Tips on selecting material for machining
In a previous Protomold Design Tip, we discussed rapid injection molding as an inexpensive way of trying out different materials before committing to a resin for full-scale production. In that tip we suggested using material spec sheets to narrow the … [Read more...] about Tips on selecting material for machining
Geomagic and Nikon Metrology partner for 3D reverse engineering and inspection
Geomagic® and Nikon Metrology announced a cooperative agreement that enables Nikon Metrology to integrate and offer its entire range of handheld 3D laser scanners with Geomagic Studio®, Geomagic Qualify™, and Geomagic Wrap®. This partnership lets … [Read more...] about Geomagic and Nikon Metrology partner for 3D reverse engineering and inspection
New Bits from Bytes printer lets you experience “personal manufacturing”
3D Systems (NYSE: DDD) launched a new desktop 3D Printer, the BfB™ 3000 plus at RAPID 2011. This affordable printer ($3900) is available for immediate delivery. According to 3D Systems, this printer opens up a new world of creativity. Quick and … [Read more...] about New Bits from Bytes printer lets you experience “personal manufacturing”
Fast prototyping ensures bikers get instant access to performance data
Pedal Brain produces an iPhone accessory that logs a range of data for competitive cyclists and uploads it onto the web where it can be viewed by coaches and teammates. Pedal Brain goes far beyond simpler applications that rely only on the phone’s … [Read more...] about Fast prototyping ensures bikers get instant access to performance data
Accura® CastPro™ print material expands investment casting opportunities
3D Systems Corp. (NYSE: DDD) announced the availability of Accura® CastPro™, a new print material engineered to meet the manufacturing requirements of QuickCast™ patterns used for the production of investment castings. Accura® CastPro™ printed … [Read more...] about Accura® CastPro™ print material expands investment casting opportunities
Multi-material aids in the correction of club foot
Objet Geometries Ltd., will be showcasing its multi-material 3D printers at the RAPID additive manufacturing event in Minneapolis at booth 104. The Connex multimaterial 3D printers can rapidly build prototypes from a range of 65 materials and can … [Read more...] about Multi-material aids in the correction of club foot
Autodesk 123D: For those interested in exploring personal manufacturing
While Autodesk 123D is targeted at those who have no experience with CAD (and who are now being labeled as "makers"), there’s no reason engineers with one of the “maker” type 3D printers, such as MakerBot, RapMan, and others could not use it. … [Read more...] about Autodesk 123D: For those interested in exploring personal manufacturing
For the love of music, Innovator finds a way to protect guitars from wear
Musicians usually have great fondness for their instruments, so protecting them from wear and tear is important. Bob Glass developed a unique guard to protect his acoustic guitar with the aid of rapid prototyping. Here’s his story. Some time ago I … [Read more...] about For the love of music, Innovator finds a way to protect guitars from wear
Trek accelerates design cycles with 3D printer
Award-winning bicycle manufacturer now produces four times as many prototypes as before while speeding time to market. Prototyping plays a crucial role in all phases of Trek’s product development cycles. Industrial designers, mechanical engineers, … [Read more...] about Trek accelerates design cycles with 3D printer