Upgrading Mastercam Mill 2D to Mill 3D
This blog post will outline the benefits of upgrading a Mastercam 2D Mill or Router seat to Mastercam 3D Mill or Router. There are many shops that only have the capability of machining using 3-axis. In recent years, as machines get older and are replaced or as shops expand, some are looking to add some form of multi-axis machine. We are going to look at moving directly from 3-axis machinery to 5-axis machinery. Since most jobs require multiple-sided work to reach completion. When using 3-axis equipment, parts will require multiple setups and possibly multiple fixtures to achieve the desired outcome. The sample part below would require programming on every face. Since most of the faces are on compound angles, we need to use multiple unique fixtures. Some of these setups will require various repositions. This sample part would take approximately 6 hours to complete with standard 3-axis machining. Let’s see how using Mastercam 3D and 5-axis machining can help. Using our example part and a dovetail fixture, we can mount the raw material from the center and be able to machine 5 of the 6 sides while also reaching all the angled features in a single setup. Using this process eliminates many of [...]
Meet the new UltiMaker S7 3D Printer
Meet the Ultimaker S7 3D printer your gateway to the entire UltiMaker platform. UltiMaker took everything their users loved about the award-wining S5 and made it even better, so it can be trusted to do its job while you do yours. Easy printing. Easy breathing. The integrated air manager filters out 95% of UFP's while also keeping the build chamber carefully regulated. Not only does this increase peace of mind about air quality, but also boosts print quality. Print removal speeds to flex about. The PEI-coated build plate makes for reliable print adhesion and removal. A sensor also assures your build plate will always be in its correct place before printing. Easy setup and monitoring. Start printing quickly with a simple first-time user experience. Run-out and fan bracket sensors will pause your print and notify you if you run out of filament or if there is a clog. Additionally, a 1080p camera is mounted higher to give you a better view. Join UltiMaker on February 7th at 10AM EST for an exclusive first look at the new UltiMaker S7 with a live product demo! Register Here
Xact Metal XM200C Demo 3D Printer For Sale
In an effort to keep our 3DP demo equipment updated with the latest cutting-edge technology, we are going to sell our Xact Metal XM200C to make room for an XM200G. The printer will be discounted by 20%. It will also include a year of extended warranty as if it was sold new. All-in for this unit should be less than $117k assuming standard configuration. This represents over $19k in savings compared to the new pricing! If you are interested in taking advantage of this great deal, please contact us today. Contact Us
Choosing the Right Material for Different CNC Machining Applications
CNC machining refers to the process of using a computer numerical controlled machine to systematically manufacture pre-designed parts by cutting stock material in a specific way. These days, that stock material can be any one of a number of pure metals, metal alloys, or even plastics. Determining which of the many material options to use can be tricky. In this blog, we will delve into some of the features of the most commonly used materials in machining. Starting the process In order to choose the best material for a part, it is crucial to understand the part inside and out. This consists of considering its size and how many parts can be machined out of one unit of any one material. This gives an indication of cost. Then, the part’s intended use is considered as well as what sort of mechanical and thermal stress it will handle. Parts that have to hold up against high heat or under heavy loads will naturally require sturdier material. The part’s toolpathing is the last factor in the decision. Are there any intensive cutting processes that will allow dangerous heat to build up, potentially warping less durable material? Is there a chance that certain feeds and speeds [...]
How to Use Control X Comparison Point Analysis
This blog post will show you the Comparison Point Analysis tool which enables a Control X user to click arbitrary or specific point locations on the Reference CAD model and compare them to the corresponding point mapped to the Measured mesh model. This is a very useful comparison tool for identifying the accuracy of random point locations on the manufactured model. The typical method of mapping points is by using the Along Normal vector option, but custom projection directions may be set. Normally the direction is calculated by radiating from the selected point on the Ref model and projecting normal until the vector hits the Measured model. The length of the vector is actually the Deviation of that point location. The length is displayed in the text boxes you see on the screen from Reference to Measured. In this example, we can select locations on the model. However, by using the top point selection option, the points to compare can be specific and represented in a text or ASCII file. This is imported using the Pick Points selection option. Let’s consider this water pump housing and suppose we wish to analyze random points where the color map shows significant deviation. It is always [...]
Fuse 1 3D Printing Workflow
In this blog post, we will explain how easy it is to add a powder-based 3D printer to your prototyping workflow. We will specifically be looking at the Fuse 1 by Formlabs. Since powder-based printers require no support, they allow engineers to take full advantage of generative design and print-in-place components. Although powder-based 3D printing may be intimidating to those used to FDM machines, we’re going to walk you through the entire workflow to show you how simple it is. To begin, open PreForm, the file preparation software for Formlabs printers. In this program, you will orient and pack your models into place. Powder-based 3D printers use the Z axis to print multiple models. First, orient your models to reduce the cross-sectional area. Typically, placing the models on a 30º compound angle in the X and Y planes will be enough. PreForm will then take the models and automatically place them into the build volume for printing. Now, you can upload the project and head over to the machine. Once at the machine, start by inspecting the optics. The Fuse 1 uses an optical cassette as a shield between the sintered parts and the laser assembly. Due to this, the optical cassette will [...]