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We often find humor in supersizing ordinary objects. Not only can the exercise make us laugh, but it can also become thought-provoking and serve as the launching point into a more detailed study of something we are familiar with in everyday life or might take for granted. This particular challenge was more of a chuckle... but it sure was fun: would a ~2.5x scale frisbee work?
Casting is one of, if not the, oldest techniques used to create metal parts. By pouring liquid metal into molds, complex shapes can be made simply, and even geometries that would be impractical to machine (thin and spindly, for example) can take shape quickly. Pouring the metal is quick, but making the mold isn't always easy. But with a wax 3D printer and plaster investment, it comes about as close to easy as I think the process can get! In this article I'll run you through the process, in the context of a small art piece being cast from a silver-copper alloy (Ag/Cu).
Since our inception, we have printed roughly 9,000 pounds of filament -- that’s over 830 miles of the stuff! How can we put that distance into perspective? Some factoids:
One of the many things that drew me to the 3D printing process is its versatility. Whether you need to prototype a mechanism, make a repair part, create a series of end-use parts, or make a piece of art, odds are that you can do it -- or at least get started -- with (the right) 3D printing technology. Art isn't something that we have the chance to pursue very often at POP given our typical schedule rushing mechanical parts out the door, but we recently had some time to make a piece for the shop that we think is worth highlighting.
We are often asked about vapor smoothing, and wanted to write a quick article describing how it works, as well when we recommend using it. The process involves suspending FDM prints in a cloud of solvent vapor, which condenses on the print in a uniform film, melting the outer surfaces of the part, smoothing and fusing layers together. It also greatly enhances the sheen of the part, resulting in a glossy finish.
What’s the best material for PolyJet 3D printing? The short answer, as you might have guessed, is “it depends!” What are your requirements for strength, flexibility, temperature resistance, color, and price point? All of these factors influence material selection. With digital materials, we can even create custom materials (specific shore hardness rubber like materials and colors) as needed.
What’s the best material for FDM 3D printing? The short answer is “It depends”. What are your requirements for strength, flexibility, UV and temperature resistance, color, and price point? All of these factors influence material selection.
What’s the difference between FDM and PolyJet? Which is best for your design? What factors in a design make it better suited for one process or the other? Today, we’ll answer these questions and more.
We all know that FDM technology can make pretty tough parts, with genuine engineering-grade polymers like ABS, polycarbonate, and even Ultem (PEI) plastics. Building these materials within a precisely heated chamber, a la Stratasys, with servo-controlled extrusion ensures that even z-strength, which is the weakest direction of FDM printing, is as high as possible. Just how strong are these parts? We put a couple of exotic materials to the test to find out!
We are often asked how to design files for our full color 3D printer, the J750. The process depends entirely on what the goal of the project is, and in which CAD environment the part is being created. For gradients and intricate color patterns, for example, it can be necessary to use an animation-friendly software like Blender. But for typical engineering applications, Fusion 360 (or other CAD programs) is all you need. Here's a quick tutorial to show you how!
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