Additive Manufacturing in Madison WI | Additive Manufacturing Equipment
If your design and engineering team has just decided to start using additive manufacturing equipment, you may be wondering where to begin. How much do 3D printers cost? What materials are available? And how can your company make the most of this technology? Here are some tips for getting started with additive manufacturing equipment: Additive Manufacturing in Madison WI
First of all, you’ll probably need more than just the printers. To make the most of your new additive manufacturing equipment, you will also probably need to invest in post-processing systems. These units are built to clean, surface, or color your prints and prepare them for consumer use- or even for further prototyping.
Additive Manufacturing, otherwise known as 3D printing, is a process by which you can create a three-dimensional object by adding layer upon layer of material. The resulting object is created by computer-aided design (CAD) software and then printed using additive manufacturing equipment, such as 3D printers or other similar machines. However, not all 3D printers are created equal. There are many different styles of 3D printers available today, so it’s worth spending some time researching your options before you simply purchase the first one you find. FDM, or Fused Deposition Modeling, is the most common type of 3D printer:
FDM
Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) is the most common type of 3D printer and uses melted plastic or resin to create objects. This process typically involves an extruder that melts a filament of plastic and then deposits it layer by layer onto a platform. At AdvancedTek, we offer a line of FDM printers from Stratasys. FDM printers are known for being quick, relatively cheap, and easy to operate.
F123 Series
The F123 Series is perfect for engineers who need to quickly create industrial-grade prototypes, models or other components. This line of 3D printers is designed with auto-calibration, which makes it easy to automate and use hands-free.
F123 Composite-Ready Series
The F123 Composite-Ready series uses engineering-grade thermoplastics and carbon fiber to produce strong 3D printed components. You might be worried that the structural supports used during printing would be hard to remove because of this, but with the F123 Composite-Ready soluble support material, you can feel free to create complex designs without worrying about removing the supports or damaging your print. To learn about Additive Manufacturing in Madison WI contact AdvancedTek today!
F770
If you need an FDM style printer that can handle larger pieces, the F770 is the one for your company. Capable or printing components or parts up to a meter long in length, this printer is the perfect choice for creating large pieces. This system can run for up to 140 continuous hours without needing monitoring, and is designed to be as hands-free as possible.
Fortus 450mc
The Fortus 450mc accelerates manufacturing by providing accurate and reliable prototypes and components, and can provide consistent results in a wide range of materials.
F900
This unit, like the F770, is designed with large-scale projects in mind. This system can accommodate prints up to 914 x 610 x 914 mm (36 x 24 x 36 in) in size, making this 3D printer ideal for companies that want to produce large pieces, or many components at once.
Post-Processing
Powershot C
If you’ve used a powder-bed as part of your 3D print, some of these particles will be stuck to your finished print until they are cleaned off. This makes polishing or coloring impossible, but trying to clean them by hand is not only time-consuming, it can also damage your finished print. The DyeMansion Powershot C offers cleaning capabilities for these kinds of prints, with a maximum clean time of only 10 minutes per load.
Powershot S and Powerfuse S
The Powershot S and Powerfuse S, by DyeMansion, polish and seal your 3D prints to get them ready for commercial use. The Powershot S polishes your prints to create a distinctive semi-gloss, and the Powerfuse S seals your prints to prepare them for food contact.
DM60
Now that your products have been cleaned, polished, sealed and buffed, you’ll be ready for the next step—coloring. The DyeMansion DM60 is a post-processing system that prepares and colors your 3D printed parts using DeepDye Coloring. DDC is a new technology that can be used to dye plastic 3-dimensional printed parts. Because of this unique dying technique, you can color your 3D components and parts with extremely precise coloring. Whether you’re looking to match an existing color, or simply produce the same results on every single print, this system will help you get your 3D printed parts looking their best.
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. AdvancedTek has Additive Manufacturing Equipment and we can help with all your needs for Additive Manufacturing in Madison WI. Contact us today!