Question: I've got a new design for a custom candlestick holder with and overall dimensions in an envelope that is 14' X 4" X 4." What are the trade-offs in how the part is oriented during production?
Answer: It will all depend on the shape of the part and what your end needs are. Anytime there are rounded edges on a part there is a possibility of having some very small stair stepping (.004) that can be fixed with a little bit of sanding. If there is a part of the candlestick holder connector that has strait walls, then that is the best direction to run the part to get the best surface finish. If finish is no issue then the shortest z-hight direction is the quickest way to run it.
These are at least of few of the variables that go into figuring out the best orientation to run your part.
Question: Once I've finished designing I’m working on will need just one or two for prototypes. But I'm also looking at needing an additional 500 as quickly as possible after the design is approved.
Answer: I'm not sure I fully understand this question. It largely depends on the answer to the question: “What is the part being used for?” If this is for an end use part I would probably be leaning towards the SLS process. This will give you an injection molded quality part that can most likely be a final use part that is durable and strong.
A more specific answer will depend on the part because there are four different materials that may meet the needed characteristics. Depending on the size of the part, it may be possible to produce many parts simultaneously. By using SLS the parts are consistent and you eliminate tooling costs, inventory, and you save a lot of time!
Question: I need about 250 industrial HVAC housings done FAST. But I need them in a color close to Forest Green. Can you help?
Answer: All parts can be painted. However, Tangible Express also has a specific proprietary technique that can be used to produce a wide variety of durable yet colorful SLS parts.
Question: I don't think SLA or SLS can handle a project like this, but I'm looking for any kind of quick, cheap shortcut to produce extremely high end, custom wheels. Is there anyway to use RP technology to that end?
Answer: SLA has a process known as QuickCast® that can create a part that will go directly to investment casting (lost wax method).
QuickCast® eliminates the need for tooling and creating a wax model of the part. For some customers this has saved them 12 weeks of time.
Question: My company makes jewelry with really fine features requiring high resolution and a lot of precision. Can SLA or SLS help me?
Answer: SLA can definitely help—the process has really come a long way in the last few years making it possible to create models with feature sizes of .007 on our high-resolution machines. The part made can then be taken to the
next step in the jewelry-making process (making a mold, investment casting, etc.).
Question: I've got a design for a custom gearshift knob that eventually, we expect to sell about 40,000 of next year and I've been instructed to look at producing these in China to reduce costs. But I need to launch in time
for a tradeshow in 3 months. Any suggestions?
Answer: If they are for a show... make some gear shifts out of SLA or SLS and use them at the shows for demonstration purposes.
As far as manufacturing it in China, long term that may make sense. But you will likely find that it will take longer and be more problematic than you might think.
Expect it to take 2-3 times as long and cost 2-3 times as much as you expect. There will likely be additional “back and forth” dealing with potential flaws in design or manufacturing that don’t show up until you’re already well down the road.
Consider initial low-volume manufacturing runs using RP equipment based here in the U.S. Once you have worked out all of the kinks, use RP equipment again to help you create the tooling to go into true MASS production. |
