3D Printing has been around for many years and it is also considered as a tool for quick design and prototypes. This technology is becoming more and more accessible and capable which also redefine our thinking for manufacturing. The traditional approaches to manufacturing are no longer the way we bring our product to market.
In the past, we will design the CAD model using CAD software, send for mold fabrication and mold testing to see the 1st mold trial of the product. This process takes weeks before the product designer can see and send their molded parts for functional test and make the improvement for the design.
In this era, we are looking at reducing the design time, shaving off the days on production cycles and create prototypes in the quickest lead-time for functional test and enhancement in the product design.
Many of the industries are also looking at improving their products from the existing old design but they do not have the CAD model anymore. Besides, re-model the product in their CAD software, the alternate solution is using the technology of 3D scanning to achieve the physical part.
Here are some of the End-to-End Solutions that you can consider for your business:
3D Scanners
The Capture scanners from 3D Systems deliver accurate and fast blue light 3D scanning technology in a portable, lightweight unit that can be hand-held, static and easily combined into a multi-scanner configuration. The Capture comes in two models, the Capture and Capture Mini, which are integrated with Geomagic reverse engineering and 3D inspection software for rapid and highly accurate scan-to-3D processes.
2. Sense
The Sense 2 is the first USB-powered handheld scanner to use the very latest short-range scanning technology from Intel, the RealSense SR300 3D camera. Using HD color cameras and a highly-sensitive infrared projector, the RealSense technology allows a closer scan range and higher resolution than previous generation devices.
FARO Design ScanArm is a portable 3D scanning solution tailored for 3D modeling, reverse engineering, and CAD-based design applications. Design ScanArm is the ideal solution for any organization that may have the need to manufacture parts without existing CAD models, develops aftermarket products that need to fit tightly with existing products or reverse engineer legacy parts for design changes or replacement.
The FARO Freestyle3D Objects is a top-quality high-accuracy handheld scanner for Product Design and Public Safety Forensics professionals. It quickly and reliably documents small to mid-sized objects, like crime or crash scene environments and details or products to reverse engineer into 3D high-definition point clouds. Thanks to its lightweight carbon fibre body, the handheld scanner is extremely portable and mobile. With the highest accuracy, it is suitable for all applications in which challenging projects must be quickly scanned in color from various perspectives.
5. FARO Focus
FARO’s latest ultra-portable FocusS Laser Scanner enables to capture fast, straightforward and accurate measurements of complex objects and buildings. The intuitive touch-screen of the FocusS models has been increased in size and clarity to deliver an extraordinary user experience. A built-in 8 mega-pixel, HDR-camera captures detailed imagery easily while providing a natural color overlay to the scan data in extreme lighting conditions.
3D Design Software that works with the 3D Scanners
Geomagic Design X is the combination of a feature-based CAD with 3D scan data processing that allows you to create feature and editing the solid models that are compatible with your existing CAD software.
Geomagic for SOLIDWORKS is a software toolset that plugs directly into your SOLIDWORKS environment giving you advanced capabilities to make tools point clouds and polygons more usable in your design process.
From engineering to entertainment, art to archaeology and manufacturing to museums, people from every walk of life are effortlessly reverse engineering perfect 3D models from scan data and 3D files using Geomagic Wrap.
After scanning and touching up of your scanned model, here are some of the different types of 3D Printers that you can consider for your 3D printing.
The ProJet CJP 660Pro is the most efficient large-build, fast, accurate and high resolution full-color 3D printer. It uses eco-friendly and non-hazardous materials with zero liquid waste.
2. MultiJet Printer
MultiJet Printing (MJP) technology offers fast print times, easy operation and simple post-processing for high productivity and true simplicity, from file to finished part. Produce the highest fidelity, most true-to-CAD parts of any jetting 3D printing process.
The ProJet MJP 2500 Series – High quality, speed and ease-of-use and made accessible
The ProJet MJP 3600 Series – Provide a larger build volume and exceptionally fast print speeds
The ProJet MJP 5600 – Large format and multi-material composite parts in a single build
3. Digital Light Printing Printer
Digital Light Printing (DLP) Stereolithography uses a projector to image each layer within a UV-curable, liquid material. The projector is a digital screen, the image of each layer is composed of square pixels, resulting in a layer formed from small rectangular bricks called voxels.
The FabPro 1000 features up to four-times-faster high-throughput print speeds for higher-quality parts with precision and smooth surface finish.
The Figure 4 makes 3D production a reality—with increased productivity, durability, repeatability and lower total cost of operations (TCO).
4. Stereolithography Printer
Stereolithography (SLA) uses X axis galvanometers and Y axis galvanometers to rapidly aim a laser beam across the print area to solidify the resin as it goes along. This process breaks down the design layer by layer into a series of points and lines that are given to the galvanometers as a set of coordinates.
The ProX 800 is the highly efficient large-scale Stereolithography (SLA) 3D printers from 3D Systems, with minimal waste. ProX 800 delivers part accuracy and surface quality.
The ProJet 6000 offers all the benefits of SLA in a smaller footprint, so you can print with fine feature detail in a wide choice of performance engineered materials that match or exceed traditional plastic properties.
The Nyomo Minny 3D Printer is the desktop DLP/SLA 3D Printer for jewellery, dental, audiology and small parts.
5. Selective Laser Sintering Printer
Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) uses a laser to harden and bond small grains of nylon and elastomer materials into layers in a 3D dimensional structure. The laser traces the pattern of each cross-section of the 3D design onto a bed of powder. After one layer is built, the bed lowers and another layer is built on top of the existing layers. The bed then continues to lower until every layer is built and the part is complete.
The ProX SLS 6100 brings versatility to your applications, whether for functional prototyping or direct 3D production. It produces tough, durable parts from a range of production-grade nylon materials that have been optimized, validated and tested to ensure quality with uniform 3D mechanical properties.
6. Fused Deposition Modeling Printer
Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) uses a continuous filament of a thermoplastic material for 3D printing. Fused filament printing is now the most popular process (by number of machines) for hobbyist-grade 3D printing.
The Moment 3D Printer from Korea produces high 3D printing quality with high accuracy.