Plastic Prototyping

Incorporating Screw Threads Into FDM Parts
Screw threads are one of the most common components used for fastening parts in an assembly or attaching pipe tubing together. Here are five ways to incorporate screw threads into Fused Deposition Modeling parts, followed by some useful applications.

Threads directly from the FDM machine
Depending on the pitch and helical profile, it may be possible to design your desired thread right into the CAD file. Typically, large pitched threads on parts used for...

Last week Gardner Publishing, launched “Additive Manufacturing,” a quarterly supplement to Modern Machine Shop and its sister publication, MoldMaking Technology. A surprising move, since these publications are aimed at CNC and mold-making facility leaders.

By recalling hockey legend Wayne Gretsky’s secret to success, Senior Editor, Peter Zelinski explains why Gardner launched the publication. Gretsky said his secret was to skate where the puck is going, not where it’s been. It involves “seeing...

What could you do in the time it takes to brew and drink a pot of coffee?

Nestlé Nespresso S.A. can pour out a new iteration of its highly-designed single-serve espresso machine with caffeinated speed thanks to its Diminsion 3D rapid prototyping machine.

If you're an espresso afficianado, then you know the care, craftsmanship and attention to detail that goes into each tiny cup. More than 20 years ago Nestlé Nespresso developed a home-brewed option that rivals the pours of trained baristas. The...

You’ve heard it before: the advice to innovate to thrive. And in a challenging economy, you may need to innovate just to survive.
 

Nothing gives me a sense of pride more than to hear of a company innovating and thriving with the aid of Stratasys FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) Technology.

An article in the Green Bay Press Gazette profiles Wisconsin Plastics Inc. as a company thriving in a tough economy with some help from FDM. The article refers to the manufacturer’s FDM machine as “the jewel”...

• Recycling 10 Fortus filament canisters is the equivalent of removing a car from the road for one week.

In August, Stratasys announced that England's Loughborough University had completed independent studies on plastic parts created by the FDM additive manufacturing process, using ABS plastic and polycarbonate. 

This may be exciting news for us, but it has greater implications for the design and manufacturing community. We believe this study is the first of its kind, and it offers data often necessary for manufacturing applications and sometimes for functional prototyping.

If additive manufacturing...

Direct digital manufacturing of plastic parts has come a long way. But, how close are we to do-it-yourself manufacturing?

Advancements in FDM technology are making it possible to not only use additive manufacturing for rapid prototyping, but low-volume manufacturing too. In fact, muscle cars are being restored today using low-volume manufacturing. The Pit Viper, a restored supercharged 1968 Ford Mustang built by TPI (Total Performance Inc.), is an impressive example. After exploring traditional...

While many of us fantasize about that perfect sports car, Swedish supercar creator, Christian von Koenigsegg is busy designing them – with help from true-to-life prototyping with a Dimension 3D printer.

More than 300 parts make up each high-tech car with design and testing taking weeks. With a Dimension 3D printer in-house and accessible to each engineer, testing now races throughout the development cycle, with high-density plastic models and parts designed, printed and available within hours.

Rap...

At the ACTE conference I saw this cool 3D printed model in an exhibitor’s booth. They were displaying it to showcase their wind energy curriculum to the educators. The model was printed on their uPrint 3D Printer. I asked about the model and guessed that it was a prototype. It actually wasn’t a prototype, it was the piece that they sell with the kit. So this company is printing end use parts from their uPrint 3D Printer and selling them with their curriculum. It was pretty cool to see. Their...

One of the things I enjoy most about working in this industry is when family, friends, acquaintances ask the loaded question, "What do you do?". My answer has evolved throughout the years as I've tried to figure out the best term to use with a layman. Words like additive fabrication or even rapid prototyping don't really make sense to the average person. I just carry a small part with me on my key chain at all times.

In a recent blog post by Scott Crump, he commented on how the term rapid...