BSLA Paradigm - 3D Printing Service Plastic Parts FDM Rapid Prototyping


HOME GET A QUOTE PICTURES WHAT IS FDM? FAQ CONFIDENTIALITY	What Can FDM Do For You And Your Company? Four main areas are emerging as hot beds for FDM parts 1. Form / Fit / Function Prototype Parts (Proof Of Concept) This is currently the most common use for FDM parts. During the development cycle prototype parts are needed to validate form, fit and function and the workability of the design before the expense and time of designing and building a mold are undertaken. By using FDM you can test a design, make the necessary tweaks and make another to completely prove out the concept before going any further. Our FDM parts are robust and strong enough to snap into a working assembly to verify a design or to highlight problem areas. We routinely make FDM parts with snap features and other small features that are usable for this purpose. MORE GET A RAPID, NO-OBLIGATION QUOTE 2. Fixturing for Assembly and/or Machining It may surprise some to learn that FDM parts are accurate and robust enough to be used as fixtures and jigs for assembly and machining. Also, FDM parts themselves can be machined to achieve a very nice result. Because of these things, more and more FDM parts are being used as fixtures and jigs. For machining fixtures, the FDM part is simply designed to conform to the CAD model of the desired finish part. This is especially nice for parts with complex surfaces that will be difficult or impossible to hold without a fixture. It can then be drilled, tapped, machined etc. in order to achieve a cost effective and quick fixturing method. And, you can use your machining center to work on your part, and not to make a fixture; let the FDM machine do that for you. The same holds true for assembly; the FDM part can be designed to hold two or more parts in position for assembly and fastener applications, or for gluing/bonding, etc. Also, with FDM, complex fixtures can be created with undercuts and cavities that may be extremely difficult or impossible to create with traditional methods of machining etc. If you can conceive it, FDM can do it!! And it’s done while you sleep or while you are working on something else. Now THAT is a benefit. MORE GET A RAPID, NO-OBLIGATION QUOTE 3. Patterns For Investment and Urethane Casting Another emerging and important area of focus utilizing FDM parts is that of investment casting. To cut down on the long lead times and high cost of using wax patterns, many are now turning to FDM parts. Many excellent studies and white papers have been written about this including one located here: www.ditra.biz/pls/htmldb/TL_PORTAL.tl_portal_utils.download_doc?p_file_id=81 GET A RAPID, NO-OBLIGATION QUOTE 4. End-Use, Finished Parts Possibly the most surprising thing about the FDM process is the fact that it can be, and is, used to create finished parts. FDM parts are made from a robust ABS blend of industrial-grade thermoplastics that is actually stronger than standard ABS! In addition, FDM parts can be smoothed, sanded, machined and painted to deliver parts that can be put into use immediately. In cases where the parts are painted, it is very hard to tell the difference between an FDM and a molded plastic part! MORE GET A RAPID, NO-OBLIGATION QUOTE

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