3D Printers in Twin Cities MN | 3D Printing Companies
What is a 3D printer? Can it print anything I want? How can a 3D printer help me design and manufacture my product? These are questions you may be asking yourself. If you’re also wondering if you really need a printer that uses plastic, or whether metal printers are better for your use, we can help. There are so many types of printing techniques, that it can be hard to decide which one to go for. The solution is here – in this article we’ll talk about the major types of additive manufacturing services, and which one may make the most sense for your company. 3D Printers in Twin Cities MN
Stratasys FDM 3D Printers
Fused Deposition Modeling is the most common form of 3D printing, where layers of thin, heated filament is printed- or deposited- layer by layer to create the object you’re trying to build. The FDM process uses a filament that is heated above its melting point and extruded through an extrusion nozzle onto the build platform. Because each object is built layer by layer, manufacturers can achieve a higher level of complexity than other manufacturing processes. Fused Deposition Modeling 3D printing is often the preferred method for those who want to prototype products in a short amount of time. FDM 3D printers are used for prototyping because they can quickly produce high-quality parts without requiring expensive tooling and dies. This gives your design team more time, freedom, and confidence to create the best product possible, as they’ll have much more access to design prototypes, and more time to test them out.
Stratasys PolyJet 3D Printers
Stratasys PolyJet is a 3D printing technology that shoots layers of curable liquid photopolymer onto a build tray, creating exceptional detail and surface smoothness. The main benefit to using PolyJet 3D printing is the high level of detail manufacturers can create. The technology has a resolution of 0.014 mm and can create thin film structures that are extremely complex, using all kinds of materials—far more so than other technologies. With the Stratasys PolyJet, you can create products or components that are clear or solid, rigid or flexible. The technology can be used in many industries, including the medical field, but it’s especially popular with designers who want to create prototypes.
EOS Metal 3D Printers
In even just the last decade, 3D printing has changed and developed dramatically. If you’re only familiar with 3D printers when they work with plastics, you may be surprised to learn that they can also work with metal. EOS Metal 3D printers are some of the most advanced in the industry, and they’re used by engineers, industrial designers and other professionals who need to create their products or components quickly. With a high level of customization and variety, EOS Metal 3D printers allow you to create functional parts that are made out of metal. They’re ideal for industries like aerospace, automotive, medical devices and more. If you need to achieve a high level of detail or complexity in your design, EOS Metal 3D Printers in Twin Cities MN are the perfect choice.
Stratasys SAF 3D Printers
Selective Absorption Fusion, or SAF, uses an infrared-sensitive, high absorption fluid, when printing layer by layer to fuse together polymer powders. The Stratasys SAF technology uses infrared energy to heat and melt the high absorption fluid together until each layer is fused to the last, to create one whole and complete product or component. This particular type of 3D printing is especially good for mass-production, as each part of production can be nestled next to each other on the same bed, maximizing space and cutting down dramatically on production time.
Stratasys SLA 3D Printers
Stereolithography uses light during the 3D printing process to link together monomers and oligomers together to form polymers layer by layer. It is often used to create models, prototypes, patterns, and other productions parts. Unlike other forms of 3D printing that stack a component from the ground up during printing, stereolithography attaches the base of the component being printed to a raising shelf, which is positioned above a vat of light-sensitive, liquid chemicals. Once the printing is completed, all of the components must be washed off using a solvent to clean any remaining uncured and wet resin from its surface.
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, Polymer and Metal 3D Printers, Post Processing Solutions, to Vacuum Formers, 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 are interested in learning more about 3D Printers in Twin Cities MN, reach out to AdvancedTek today!