Proto Labs has chosen Whirlwind Wheelchair International as the latest recipient of its Cool Idea! Award. Proto Labs – a leading online and technology-enabled manufacturer of quick-turn prototype and short-run parts – will help the company launch its … [Read more...] about Latest Cool Idea! Winner: RoughRider® Wheelchair
Injection Molding Production
Subtractive Manufacturing: What You Need to Know
Not everyone thinks that subtractive manufacturing has a place in the Additive Manufacturing arena. After all, subtractive manufacturing is really CNC machining—a process that removes material from a larger piece of material through standard … [Read more...] about Subtractive Manufacturing: What You Need to Know
Proto Labs Names Cool Idea! Honorable Mentions
Proto Labs, a leading quick-turn manufacturer of CNC machined and injection molded custom parts for prototyping and short-run production, has announced two Honorable Mention award recipients as part of its Cool Idea! award program. The d-TSSU™, … [Read more...] about Proto Labs Names Cool Idea! Honorable Mentions
Round like a Wheel, Not Like an Egg
When making round parts—gears, pistons, plugs, and anything else that needs to fit, seal, or spin—start by asking just how round does it need to be? If the answer is “as round as possible,” you probably need a center gate. In injection molding, resin … [Read more...] about Round like a Wheel, Not Like an Egg
First Proto Labs Cool Idea winner: Don Ladanyi of Ohio
Proto Labs, a leading online and technology-enabled quick-turn manufacturer of prototype and short-run production CNC machined and injection molded custom parts, announced the first recipient of its Cool Idea! award program. Don Ladanyi, of … [Read more...] about First Proto Labs Cool Idea winner: Don Ladanyi of Ohio
Through thick and thin
To understand the importance of uniform wall thickness in rapid injection molding, imagine that the fluid injected into a mold is water rather than plastic resin. In a properly vented mold, the water, following the path of least resistance, will … [Read more...] about Through thick and thin
The pros and cons of rapid injection molding optical parts
The ability of optical parts made of clear resins like polycarbonate to perform optically as light covers, lenses, and lightpipes depends on a combination of material, shape, and internal clarity. Not all rapid prototyping processes are suitable for … [Read more...] about The pros and cons of rapid injection molding optical parts
Prototyping service lets you see if a rubber component will enhance your designs
Robinson Rubber Products is a designer, developer, and manufacturer of custom-molded rubber products, extruded rubber products and precision rollers. Company executives recently announced a new prototyping service that gives you a quick, economical … [Read more...] about Prototyping service lets you see if a rubber component will enhance your designs
How to make injection molded parts look good
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
Quickparts® launches new E-Commerce portal
Quickparts®, a 3D Systems company (NASDAQ: TDSC), released a new online customer portal that has more user functions, including instant access to quote and project history. QuickQuote® 2.0 gives you complete access to your account activity. Your … [Read more...] about Quickparts® launches new E-Commerce portal