Formlabs’ Post

A little machining knowledge per day---Laser marking Logo. >A surface treatment process using CNC+laser. >Using a high laser energy beam to illuminate the product's surface, vaporize, and melt it, achieving an engraving effect. >Advantage: Faster and pleasing appearance. Logos can exist forever, will not fade, and will not wear. >Thickness: 0.02-0.05mm depth usually. Note: >Laser marking logo can not create color itself. The color of the logo depends on the product's raw material. >Laser marking on the front of the product is cheaper than marking on the side.

This is the single best method for producing production-grade prototypes Yet many designers have never heard of it. Vacuum or Polyurethane casting is a process where a master pattern is reproduced using a silicone mould tool. Did you know this can be done entirely in-house? The benefits are clear: - Excellent surface finishes - Undercuts allowed - Rigid & elastomeric materials - Great tolerances - Low-cost tooling Check out my 10-step guide to master vacuum casting in-house. Each step has a handy graphic to make it as clear as possible. In this complete design guide, I cover when to use vacuum casting, how to overmould, how to add threads and how to work with tight tolerances. Included are 3 graphs that compare the cost & and lead time for the top 4 rapid prototyping methods. Check it out: https://lnkd.in/e3i53ybx It took me three months and £3000 in materials and equipment to find the perfect method for reliably creating accurate polyurethane prototypes. With this guide, it should only cost around £400 in materials and equipment. Just remember to be patient and enjoy the process! 𝐅𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐝 𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐮𝐬𝐞𝐟𝐮𝐥? 👍 + Share with your network to help them master DFM + Sign-up to our bi-weekly DFM newsletter: https://lnkd.in/g8AQHCGJ + Follow me for more Design for Manufacturing (DFM) content. Our mission @ Dezarc is to take the guesswork out of material selection by supplying designers & engineers worldwide with material sample kits. #manufacturing #productdesign #design #designengineering #dfm

Problem: Practically test the geometry of an innovative tube bending tool design before committing to manufacturing the tool in steel. Solution: 3D print the tool (AND a piece of the rectangular tube) and perform a dry run on the CNC bending machine For anyone interested in the technicalities, we wanted to avoid a straightforward rectangular groove in the former (the tool piece on the right) as when rectangular tube is bent it expands a little and sticks. Using the concept of two corner pieces gets around this but the clamping tool on the left doesn't just move in and out on a straight line; it has a rising motion. Hence the need for a tapered bottom section (which is somewhat obscured in this photo) and to do a dry run test on the actual bending machine. #innovation #listertube #fastfriendlyreliable

Where can you use soft and extra soft Programmable Foam®? In our 3D-printed cushions and seatings, the softer materials are pre-programmed into the 3D model for areas where users need: 🪶Extra comfort 💚Cushioning and enveloping 😮💨Pressure relieve However, as you can see from the video, we have to use these soft areas carefully. The 8kg weight makes the Extra Soft piece (10x10x5cm) collapse. It is so soft that if we program Extra Soft areas too deep in cushions or seats, the user might fall through and end up with inappropriate positioning. Usually, our customers request a few centimeters of 🟠Soft or 🔴Extra Soft for comfort and add layers of 🟡Medium or 🟢Hard for stability underneath, ensuring a perfect blend of both. Clinical knowledge is needed to take full advantage of the technology, and we rely on experts such as Eleftherios Samiotis 🤝

The benefits of vacuum casting are vast. We have a wide range of materials we can use from rigid plastics and flexible rubbers to clear, UV stable materials and those with fire retardant properties. There is also the ability to add texture and colour to parts to not only look like the end product, but feel and behave like them too. It’s a cost-effective process for producing multiple copies of functional parts and has a low tooling cost when compared to traditional methods. A wide range of post-processing options are available such as painting, applying graphics, assembly, incorporating threaded inserts. For certain applications, where quantities, size and material requirements are appropriate, the process can also be used for small batch production runs. #Production #Prototype #vacuumcasting

Struggling with the limitations of smaller build volumes when you need to print larger parts? The challenges of sectioning and assembling, such as misalignment, gaps, time-consuming processes, and compromised strength and aesthetics, can significantly hinder your project's success. But there's good news: With our Vault 3D printer, you can effortlessly create HUGE unibody parts. This means seamless integrity, aesthetic perfection, and no more compromises in your designs, saving you time and money. Think BIG, Think Variant.

CMF Insight 💫 3D wrapping is a method of enveloping or attaching fabric to various components and product surfaces. This process involves cutting and wrapping or attaching fabric to the surface of components and products that have been coated with adhesive. It is carried out using vacuum chambers or automated jigs. When performing the 3D wrapping process, achieving a smooth finish on 3D surfaces and edges is crucial, especially for complex shapes. In such cases, it is advisable to separate the fabric cutting and wrapping stages. This method is utilized in various industries, including automotive, appliances, and lifestyle products, to enhance the overall quality and finish of products by covering all sides with fabric. hidalab.com

Vacuum casting is an excellent choice when you need a small series of parts, especially if aesthetics are a priority. 💫 You draw, we build, #AS_Prototypes . Free quote: info@asprototypes.com #CNC_machining #Injection_moulding #Sheet_metal #3D_printing #Vacuum_casting #Rapid_prototypes #Rapid_tooling

🌈 Getting a perfect color match can be tricky. 💝 That's why we use advanced color spectrophotometers to make precise measurements of surface color, tint and reflectance. 👀 This helps us to match your color samples, and to ensure that we apply Pantone or other RGB colors exactly to your specifications. 💜 RFQ: fanny@cnrapid.com #CNC #PLASTIC #MEATL #Rapidworkshop #OnDemand #manufacturing #engineering #metalfabrication #metalwork #plastictooling #injectionmolding #plasticmolding #plasticparts #customparts #injectionmoldedparts #CNCMACHINING #SHEETMETAL #RAPIDPROTOTYPING #component #automation #cnc #metal #plastic #prototype #rapidworkshop #Customized 

💦 Elevate your 3D prints with the following #post-production processes for ultimate water resistance: 1️⃣ Vapour Smoothing: Seamlessly blend layers, remove gaps, and tighten seals by applying a solvent to MJF and SLS prints. Note: Solvents vary based on materials. 2️⃣ Epoxy Coating: Sand and polish your 3D part for a smooth surface, then apply a two-part epoxy. It seeps into cracks and voids, hardening into a water-tight, rigid layer. 📰 Explore more water-resistant options for your 3D-printed parts: https://zurl.co/hc9p 🌐 Xometry offers vapour smoothing and other post-processing options for #3D-printed parts. Get an instant quote: https://zurl.co/RbPm