3D printers in Dubuque IA | 3D Printing Services
With 3D printing becoming more efficient than ever, it’s no surprise that so many engineers and manufacturers are turning towards this medium for anything from concept modeling to end-user parts. However, not everyone is an expert when it comes to 3D printing. As a result, many companies are turning towards 3D printing services to help them with their specific needs. This allows the company to focus on what they do best while outsourcing the rest. Whether you need help picking the right 3D printer form your office or manufacturing space, or if you just want to test out the quality of prints on one of our in-house printers, AdvancedTek is here to help you find the best solution for your business. If you want to find out more about 3D printers in Dubuque IA, reach out to AdvancedTek today!
What is 3D printing?
3D printing is a process by which a digital design, usually rendered in CAD, is printed into a 3-dimensional object. However, there’s more than one method of 3D printing. Some methods allow you to print your piece in metal, while some are printed in such a way that they immediately have a smooth surface quality. Some printers allow you to print using multiple materials, while some are designed to be used in a factory setting where they’re printing parts for other products. As with any new technology, there are advantages and disadvantages to each 3D printer model. To find out which specific style makes the most sense for your business, keep reading, or reach out to our 3D printing experts at AdvancedTek.
What are the Benefits of 3D printing?
When it comes to 3D printing, there are lots of advantages. However- these advantages are dependent on why you’re using 3D printing in the first place. If you’re in a time crunch, 3D printing is beneficial for many reasons: firstly, 3D printing can dramatically reduce the time it takes to develop and test prototypes. Not only that, but if you want to test concept models 3D printing is an efficient and accurate way to convey the look or even feel of your final product without the cost of developing custom manufacturing equipment. Speaking of custom manufacturing equipment, 3D printers are a great way of either replacing broken components in your manufacturing equipment or creating custom components on the spot. Normally, you’d have to wait weeks or months to have your parts created or replaced, and wait even longer for shipping. With 3D printing, you can diagnose and even fix manufacturing products that same day, dramatically reducing delays in your manufacturing process. Lastly, depending on the type of 3D printing you use, you can greatly reduce production costs and time. Overall, there are many benefits to 3D printing, which is why so many engineers and manufacturers are turning towards industrial grade 3D printers to help them effectively and efficiently manage their projects. If you have questions about 3D printing services, you can always reach out to our experts at AdvancedTek for advice and help selecting the perfect systems for your company.
What kinds of 3D printing are there?
When it comes to 3D printing, the systems you can use to get your project done vary dramatically- that’s why it’s so important to ask questions and do research before buying your next 3D printing system. Some units use Fused Deposition Modeling, or FDM, to deposit layer after layer of a warmed and malleable filament onto a printing bed. Other 3D printing systems, such as the H350 3D Printer by Statasys uses Selective Absorption Fusion, or SAF, to jet a high absorption fluid into a powder bed along a desired path, which is then cured with infrared energy. This curing process results in a smooth finish, which sets it apart from Fused Deposition Modeling. The powder bed also supports the structure of your print during the printing process, meaning you won’t have to add in supports to your print as you would normally have to do for other 3D printing methods. This means the only post-processing that is required for Selective Absorption Printing is a cleaning to remove powders, and optionally a coloring to dye your finished print to exactly the color or colors you want it to have. At AdvancedTek, we feature two post-processing systems by DyeMansion that can do exactly that: the DyeMansion Powershot C is capable of removing excess powder on SAF prints in under 10 minutes, while the DM60 is capable of using completely customizable colors to perfectly dye your finished prints.
If you’re interested in a company with over 25 years in the business, AdvancedTek can help you achieve anything from Concept Modeling, Functional Prototypes, Manufacturing Tooling, End-User Parts, 3D printers, Post Processing, to Vacuum Forming, and more! We can even help you speed along your prototyping process with our 3D printing service. You can find out more about us by checking out our website here. If you want to find out more about 3D printers in Dubuque IA, reach out to AdvancedTek today!