Objective3D | BLOG

Laser Sintering (LS) and Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) are like the Peyton Manning and Cam Newton of 3D printing—Two of the best quarterbacks in the league, one about ten years older than the other (LS was commercialized in around 1980 and FDM around 1990), and currently both at the top of their game. LS and FDM are often compared because they both deliver similar materials and engineering-grade thermoplastics which give them the ability to serve functional and production manufacturing applications. Even though LS and FDM are equally capable of producing strong, durable parts, their divergent delivery mechanisms make certain geometries and applications better suited for one or the other. Learning the advantages and differences between technologies will help lead you to the best process for your project. Here we compare each technology when it comes to engineering challenges, applications and geometries: Internal Features You’ll see positive results on internal cavities w...

3D printing is known to be a fast alternative to most traditional manufacturing processes, and you can harness the possibilities of this groundbreaking industry by taking some easy steps. Get to market quickly with these five tips to save you time when ordering 3D printed parts. 1. Export Your CAD file as a STL In order for a 3D printer to build a part, the CAD file has to be exported into a STL file. A STL file is made up of triangles forming the surface of the part, causing faceting of the 3D model. Depending on the parameters set up, the faceting of the 3D model will differ. Common parameters that affect faceting of STL files include chord height, deviation, angle tolerance and poly count. It’s imperative to prepare your files for the export with this in mind to ensure quality expectations and design intentions are maintained from CAD to final part production. There are a number of ways to optimize and prepare your CAD data to guarantee ­files are ready for processing...

Additive manufacturing can make materials come to life in a single print. Fresh off the machine, a 3D printed part can look like a nearly finished product. Depending on your requirements, the natural surface finish of an additive manufactured part may or may not meet your needs. When cosmetics, specific surface roughness, or functional coatings are needed, Objective3D Direct Manufacturing’s expert finishing department rises to the occasion. With skilled professionals working to deliver your project goals, we offer a variety of options, hand sanding, Sealing, tumbling, micro-welded inserts, vapor polishing, dying, electroplating and lot's more. In the examples below, you’ll be able to see how technology, material and product life cycle stage all contribute to the various options we can provide to get your product to the finish line. Finishes for Every Product Stage EMD Millipore Corporation utilized finishing services from prototype to production parts when manufacturing...

Objective3D Direct Manufacturing produces parts using a range of additive and conventional manufacturing technologies. We offer tailored solutions for your project’s needs. If your project requires larger quantities of small parts – fast, Laser Sintering is the best technological solution for you. Per-part pricing is reduced as quantities increase, but there are more advantages to using Laser Sintering for small prototypes than price alone. Laser Sintering (LS) provides strong, versatile and geometrically intricate components made from filled and un-filled nylon materials that are ideal for fit and form verification and functional testing. Prototypes made with LS are created quickly and offer robust solutions for your project. FAST Delivery Laser Sintering can provide sturdy, functional prototypes as little as 24 hours. Multi-component designs can be incorporated into single structures, allowing engineers to produce complex features and geometries in one print, and elim...

The Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organization (CSIRO) is one of the largest and most diverse scientific agencies the world. CSIRO researches a variety of disciplines from agriculture to energy, manufacturing to space, improving the future for Australians and the world. CSIRO’S accomplishments include pioneering radio astronomy work leading to the invention of WiFi, development of extended-wear contact lenses and a vaccine that protects against the deadly Hendra virus.  3D printing has played a key role in CSIRO’s Autonomous Systems Lab since 2011, accelerating research and reducing costs. 3D Printing Streamlines Research In many CSIRO studies, researchers developed testable prototypes and gathered data by securely attaching multiple sensors to moving robotic devices in order to finalize designs. Prototypes created for tests were often held together with double-sided tape or zip ties, because using traditional fabrication methods (such as milling or...

Manufacturers are currently required to integrate the increasing number of drive concepts and energy storage systems into vehicle structures. The vehicle bodies of tomorrow, particularly in view of alternative drive systems in small series with lots of different versions, will not only need to be lighter, but above all will also require a highly flexible design. The consequence is an increasing number of vehicle derivatives, which demand adaptable bodywork concepts that are economical to manufacture. In the foreseeable future, additive manufacturing could offer entirely new possible approaches. The EDAG concept car “Light Cocoon” is a compact sports car with a bionically designed and additive manufactured vehicle structure, covered with an outer skin made from weatherproof textile material. The EDAG Light Cocoon was unveiled in March 2015 at the Geneva Motor Show and in September 2015 at the International Motor Show (IAA) in Frankfurt. The “EDAG Light Cocoon” i...

It’s amazing what you can do with a combination of 3D scanning and reverse engineering solutions. This project for scaling down a full-size Formula 1 racecar, for which Artec Eva 3D scanner was used, is one of the many examples showing that 3D tech application opportunities are, indeed, limitless. The project was initiated by a Birmingham-based tool manufacturer that tasked Artec’s British partners Central Scanning and leading supplier of CAD & CAM solutions Delcam with making a scale model of their F1 car so it can be 3D printed at a size of approximately 300 mm. The car was 3D scanned by Central Scanning, and then the collected data was modeled in Delcam’s reverse engineering software package PowerSHAPE. “This scan was done by us as a test to see what could be achieved using two types of scanning systems,” said Paul Smith of Central Scanning. The main body of the car was scanned using Steinbichler Comet L3D scanners, and then the driver’s cockpit, steering wheel,...

It’s always great to get testimonials from industry pros who have enhanced their performance thanks to Artec 3D scanners. One such company is Willman Industries Inc., a Wisconsin-based full-service jobbing foundry offering design, pattern making, heat-treating and machining. Willman were already familiar with the benefits of 3D scanners as they were looking to upgrade from an older laser scanner and Faro arm. Efficiency working with large castings up to 30,000 pounds was the benefit that sold them on the Eva, says Steve Young, the owner of Exact Metrology. “With the larger castings, the [Artec] scanner can be taken to the casting rather than having to move the casting to where the scanning arm is,” explains Dana Green, an account manager at Exact Metrology. “That along with the large field of view allows for faster capture rates compared to that of the arm and scanner. Additionally the accuracy tolerances are well within the Eva’s capabilities.” Since its purchase, says Randy ...

Subsea Equipment Manufacturer 3D prints Injection Tools using Direct Digital Manufacturing “It used to take us six to eight days to produce a 26-inch injection head through CNC machining. Now, the same part can be completed within two days.”   Keith Burch / i-Tech From laying underwater cables and pipes to offshore oil and gas exploration, modern subsea operations involve some of the most complex systems, and are constantly challenged by changing ocean environments. Driven by government regulations and market pressure to control oil production and maintain environmentally friendly practices, subsea equipment manufacturers are actively looking for solutions to reduce development and operation costs. i-Tech is one of the leading global providers of remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and intervention tooling solutions for offshore engineering. It operates one of the world’s largest and most advanced fleets of ROVs to support major global energy companies in many f...

One thing that’s true of 3D Printing machines across the board is that some post-build processes must be done before a 3D printed part is ready to be used. The parts have been built, but support removal and/or some additional post processing is required. So the next time when you are considering a 3D printer for your business, it's important that you factor in the amount of time it will take you to remove the support material. The video below demonstrates the ease in which support material is removed using a water jet. All done in less than 60 seconds. Imaging how much time you can save with the Stratasys support material. Stratasys 3D Printers are available in Australia and New Zealand from Objective3D, a complete 3D Printing Solutions provider. From 3D Printers, 3D Parts, 3D Scanners including Printer Maintenance services and consumables for Stratasys 3D printers, Objective3D is the largest distributor of Stratasys 3D Printers across Australia and New Zealand, and w...

Given the roller coaster of attitudes towards 3D printing in recent years, it can feel like there is a plethora of misinformation on the technology. Misinformation has led to misguidance, misuse and ultimately distrust. To fully embrace 3D printing in all its varied forms, and therefore achieve the greatest overall value from what could be a crucial project solution, we’ve gathered some of the most common misconceptions we’ve heard from newcomers and industry veterans alike and addressed where the misconception comes from and how 3D printing breaks the mold. Misconception 1:  3D printing can’t produce real functional parts. This misconception stems from early realities for the technology. In the first decade or so, 3D printed plastics were mostly relegated to photocure materials which were not durable. Most 3D printing processes did not have good tolerances or automation in place to aid in controlling the build to achieve a specific need. By about 2000, however, 3D printing...

Economic solutions for tooling and mould-making Securing competitive advantages and getting to the market faster is the name of the game nowadays in almost all sectors of industry. As a renowned supplier to the plastics-processing industry and in aluminium die-casting, Concept Laser GmbH benefits from many years of experience. The use of mould inserts with conformal cooling delivers quality optimisation while reducing the unit costs at the same time. Metal Machine Solutions using LaserCUSING® Technology, a cutting edge technology from Concept laser is now available in Australia and New Zealand from Objective3D. The term LaserCUSING® – made up of the letter C from Concept Laser and the word FUSING for „complete melting“ – describes the technology of the future. The fusion process with patented „stochastic exposure“ generates complex component geometries layer by layer using 3D CAD data. LaserCUSING® opens up unimagined possibilities. New product ideas and mould inserts which can ...

Do you require same strength but lighter weight solution?  Do you require multiple part consolidation?  Do you require injection moulding with conformal cooling?  Are you producing medical / dental implants or devices?  If you're answering 'yes" to some of the questions above then you're probably need a Metal 3D printing solution. Learn more >>