Sla/Sls/FDM/3d printing service for rapid prototyping from Shenzhen of China SLA—STEREOLITHOGRAPHY MET-L-FLO 3D PRINTING SERVICES Stereolithography, many times referred to as SLA, uses a laser to solidify a photopolymer resin building parts layer by layer. Stereolithography (SLA) is a great choice for complex prototype geometries because of the precision to which it builds and the ability to apply a multitude of finishes. Stereolithography (SLA) is defined as Vat Polymerization and is one of the seven processes defined by ASTM F42. Met-L-Flo, Inc. uses our large capacity Stereolithography (SLA) systems, as well as our expertise in model finishing, to produce quality prototypes of your direct digital manufacturing designs in an accelerated timeframe. These patterns are excellent for Silicone molds and secondary tooling application such as Rubber Plaster Molding and investment casting. Stereolithography LARGE CAPACITY WITH EXPERT FINISHING THAT GIVES PRODUCTION QUALITY MODELS With our bank of Stereolithography (SLA) systems we are able to offer a variety of materials to accommodate the requirements for any program with precision and accuracy. Met-L-Flo has the capacity to build around the clock in our lights out manufacturing facility and produce your parts in materials simulating ABS, Polypropylene, Polycarbonate as well as clear materials. Stereolithography (SLA) is the perfect fit for prototypes in any industry…automotive, consumer appliance, aerospace & defense, medical devices, electronic housings, etc. Met-L-Flo’s expert finishers also make Stereolithography (SLA) a wonderful medium for your sales and marketing needs. We can handle full assembly models for photo shoots to focus group samples and everything in-between. Our internal color matching capabilities allow us to match your preferred visuals to match that of your production parts. SLS—SELECTIVE LASER SINTERING MET-L-FLO 3D PRINTING SERVICES Need a custom prototype that allows for functional testing or a sample tank to withstand fuel storage? Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) is a great choice for low volume production and direct digital manufacturing. Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) is a trademarked process that ASTM F42 defines as Laser Sintering (LS) which falls under the category of Powder Bed Fusion. The Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) process melts a powder resin with a laser to build parts layer by layer. Multiple Nylon powder options allow the durability, flexibility and functionality of the Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) process to really shine. Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) is also a great solution for hollow parts. Unlike other additive processes, Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) parts build support free. The powder resin becomes a natural support which is simply shaken out of the interior. Met-L-Flo, Inc. can then coat the interior to create useable tanks and other containers. Selective Laser Sintered (SLS) parts perform well in real world testing, Including FEA, heat and chemical resistance evaluations. Selective Laser Sintering REAL WORLD MATERIALS THAT CAN BE USED FOR FUNCTIONAL TESTING Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) allows you to produce end use parts. Which is why this process is the perfect choice for several Additive Manufacturing applications These include Custom Prototypes, low volume production and direct digital manufacturing. We have a wide range of finishes, coatings and materials available. FDM—FUSED DEPOSITION MODELING MET-L-FLO 3D PRINTING SERVICES The Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) process heats and extrudes a thin filament of thermoplastic to form parts layer by layer. The heat helps to fuse layers together giving parts increased structural integrity. FDM is a great way to 3D Print complex parts requiring high performance material properties for extreme testing as well as direct digital manufacturing usage for low volume production. We have a wide variety of FDM materials to assure the best match for your custom prototype and low volume manufacturing applications. Fused Deposition Modeling MULTIPLE APPLICATIONS: High heat environments High stress environments Chemical environments End use and low volume production parts Production aids Jigs and fixtures Sheet metal forming dyes Composite layup tools Sand casting patterns 3D Printing Materials: 3d printer with 3d printed prototype inside Polyhistor offers all popular material options for your 3D Print Prototyping. Materials: Ridged Opaque Materials Clear Materials Rubber-like Materials Polypropylene-like Materials High Temperature Material View PolyJet Materials Data Sheet Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM Materials): ABS-M30 Production Grade Thermoplastic is up to 25 to 70 percent stronger than standard ABS and is an ideal material for conceptual modeling, functional prototyping, manufacturing tools and end-use-parts. ABS-M30 has greater tensile, impact and flexural strength than standard ABS. Learn more PC (Polycarbonate) is a true industrial thermoplastic; PC (polycarbonate) is widely used in automotive, aerospace, medical and many other applications. PC offers accuracy, durability and stability, creating strong parts that withstand functional testing. Learn more ULTEM 9085 resin is a flame-retardant high-performance thermoplastic for digital manufacturing and rapid prototyping. It is ideal for the transportation industry due to its high strength-to-weight ratio and its FST (flame, smoke and toxicity) rating. This unique material’s certifications make it an excellent choice for the commercial transportation industry – especially aerospace, marine and ground vehicles. Top 5 Ways You Can Use 3D Printing to Create a Prototyping-=Why use 3d printing 3D printing is quickly changing the manufacturing industry all over the globe. Not only is it more affordable than ever to create prototypes, but there is also a greater level of flexibility we haven’t seen before. This model of building products is starting to gain more attention, and it’s expected to be the new normal in the near future. How exactly is 3D printing used to create prototypes? This guide will discuss 5 ways this method differs from the manufacturing of the past, and how these are changes for good. As product design and development moves towards 3D printing, we can expect to see these transformations and improvements. 1. Better Design In the past, prototypes were used as a way to test designs. While that’s still true, there is significantly more room for flexibility at this stage than ever before thanks to 3D printing. The traditional manufacturing process required distinct stages. These stages all relied on digital models, and these came with limitations. First, the prototype wasn’t able to be made with similar models or capabilities of the final product. This meant there were fewer opportunities for accurate design and testing. Now, the digital thread can be used throughout the entire process, and more accurate, well-designed models are available thanks to 3D printing. 2. Manufacturing as a Service While we’ve recently come to know the term SaaS (software as a service), it looks like we need to say hello to another term MaaS. Manufacturing as a service is something that bloomed thanks to 3D printing. We are seeing companies with infrastructure built to support multiple design and production efforts for several clients, all while using the same 3D printing technology. Companies with rapid tooling services are becoming the new normal. There are a lot of resources online that can help you understand better the process and find out more about it. Manufacturers will have quicker upgrades and a greater ability to produce quality work without changing their business model. MaaS is just another way 3D printing has made manufacturing more accessible. 3. Less Waste Everyone today is concerned about their carbon footprint and reducing their impact on the environment, especially manufacturing companies. Governments across the globe have begun to implement stricter laws about waste and materials. Luckily, changes in efficiency have led to leaner initiatives that reduce overall waste and create more usable resources. Today, the average waste from a traditional manufacturing is 21% of the materials. Not only does 3D printing reduce overall waste of materials to below 10%, but it also reduces carbon emissions substantially. These are improvements we can all, as a global community, get behind. While the majority of 3D printing today is used only for prototypes, this will hopefully continue to expand into more comprehensive manufacturing efforts until it’s the main source of products. 4. Higher Utilization Manufacturing operations are not known as the most efficient. In the USA alone, manufacturing utilization is only 75%. That means one-fourth of the materials and processes are not being used efficiently. This is because traditional methods of production include things like injection molding or die casting. These use specialized systems that lack the versatility of 3D printing. On the other hand, 3D printers can print up to 20 different types of products. It can also print them rapidly one after the next without needing to switch systems. This is a big improvement on the traditional model and one that increases the overall utilization rate for the entire manufacturing industry. 5. Encourage Innovation Finally, one of the most important ways 3D printing improves the creation of prototypes is through the introduction of further innovation. While in the traditional process different parts are assembled together to create a whole, 3D printing removes these constraints. 3D printers can build complex and valuable products as a whole without needing any additional design elements. Because there are fewer constraints to the design projects, engineers and designers alike are able to think freely. We are seeing how companies around the globe are building products that push the boundaries on what we’ve seen before. We are building a future of complex solutions with a single machine. One way we’re seeing this impact the entire population is through the printing of medical devices. From titanium skull plates to other medical breakthroughs, we are seeing new technology spring from 3D printing every day thanks to its ability to create prototypes without restraints. Overcoming Challenges While there are many improvements to the current system thanks to 3D printing, we still have to acknowledge the new challenges. Most notably, there is a higher cost for materials and equipment that is keeping 3D printing from becoming standard in manufacturing operations around the globe. Despite these costs, technology pushes forward. 3D printing is being used around the world to create new prototypes that benefit everyone. As more companies look into this type of prototype development, we can only expect to see more improvements in this process.
