Metal 3D Printing is Growing Rapidly
As we enter into 2022 there is one thing we know for sure . . . Things all around us are changing extremely quickly. And if you and your machine shop are not changing at the same rate then your business can be in serious jeopardy. For our many customers who specialize in the production of metal parts and/or plastic parts; production 3D Printing (aka, Additive Manufacturing) is here and being adopted quickly. If you are not gaining knowledge and first-hand experience in Additive then you risk losing business to your competitors. According to Grand View Research, the global metal 3D printing market size was valued at USD 3.15 billion in 2020 and is expected to expand at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 22.9% from 2021 to 2028. As such, Metal 3D printing is slated to be the fastest-growing segment of Additive Manufacturing and traditional manufacturers should be paying attention to this. Those shops who understand and have expertise in both traditional fabrication processes such as (CNC / Molding) as well as Additive will have a leg up on everyone. Last year Metal 3D Printers become Cimquest’s fastest-growing segment. As we continue our journey into the adoption of production Metal and [...]
Letter from our CEO – Exciting Future of Manufacturing
Happy 2022! As I think about 2022 I can only get excited about the state of the industry and where Cimquest is heading. Certainly, it has been a bit crazy over the past 2 years; however, it is now time to pick ourselves up and dust ourselves off. One of the few things that seem to be staying the same is that the rate of change in the world is continuing to increase. Speaking of changes, I thought I would summarize some of the changes that have occurred: CNC Software was acquired by Sandvik. M&A activity and consolidation in the industry continue to increase. Many 3D Printer companies are going public utilizing SPACs. Metal 3D Printers become Cimquest’s fastest-growing segment. Production 3D printing (metal and plastic) is no longer a pipe dream. It is a reality. The number of manufacturers producing 3D Printers continues to rapidly increase making the selection of 3D Printers for your business and applications an even more daunting task. Cloud-based computing and AI/Machine learning are becoming a much more strategic technology that is enabling greater efficiency and more capable products. An important saying to take to heart was well said by Jack Welch “If the rate of change on [...]
Increase 3D Print Speed Streamline Post-processing with Formlabs Form 3+
Increase Print Speed by 20-40% and Streamline Post-processing with the Form 3+ and Build Platform 2 Formlabs has released two new hardware products that will further advance industrial 3D printing and help bring ideas to life faster than ever. The Form 3+ and Build Platform 2 with patented Quick Release Technology are now available. The Form 3+ combines both hardware and software improvements to deliver what’s most important to 3D printing users: fabricate parts and components in record time and drive forward critical R&D projects faster than ever. In addition to 20-40% faster print speeds, Form 3+ features a redesigned heating system and new components that stabilize the laser system, resulting in improved surface finish and more consistent prints. Request a Free Sample
Increase 3D Printing Production Yield with Formlabs ESD Resin
Increase Production Yield and Streamline Processes for Electronics Manufacturing with Formlabs ESD Resin Formlabs has released their new ESD Resin, their first-ever material which safely dissipates unregulated electrostatic discharge. ESD Resin streamlines electronics manufacturing processes by increasing production yield, improving operational efficiency, and reducing production ramp-up time. ESD Resin was developed to hold up under a rigorous manufacturing environment. Create robust, functional, and dynamic enclosures for sensitive electronics that can handle significant wear and tear. Deploy custom tools, jigs, and fixtures to protect your critical electronics components from static discharge. ESD Resin is ideal for those looking to create: Tooling & fixturing for electronics manufacturing. Custom trays for component handling and storage. Anti-static prototypes and end-use components. Request a Free Sample
Metrology Minute – Traditional 2D Drawing inspection
In our last Metrology Minute post, we demonstrated how Control X can be used to extract feature size and location information directly from the scan, without the use of a nominal CAD model. With this route, a more traditional type of inspection could take place using just the scan of a manufactured part or assembly. We explained how a region’s model may be used to identify and measure analytic features, directly from a scan. And can place dimensions onto the 3D mesh model to then compare results from 2D print dimensions which is a fairly common and traditional method of performing part inspections. When the CAD model is present, however, Control X can also create 2D sections through a model and achieve the equivalent of a 2D drawing as well. As you see in the section view below, a plane is passed through the CAD model and aligned scan. The model is shown in solid, black font whereas the scan appears in dotted font. Finally, standard dimensions may be added to the 2D section, using the 2D dimensioning tools, comparing this metric crankshaft scan to its corresponding CAD model, but at a cross-section through the model. Please reach out to Joel Pollet with [...]
What NOT To Do With Your Brand New 3D Printer
a reprint from https://www.fabbaloo.com/news/seven-things-not-to-do-with-your-brand-new-3d-printer You just received a brand new desktop 3D printer. What should you NOT do? It’s that time of year when huge sales of inexpensive desktop 3D printers arrive in people’s homes, often for the very first time. Yes, it’s an exciting moment: you now have the power to build virtually anything, or at least you might think so. The truth is a little bit less dramatic, but 3D printers are indeed quite powerful. That excitement can lead to problems, and I’ve put together several tips based on experiences I’ve seen other novice 3D printer operators have unfortunately undergone. Rushing! Perhaps the worst thing to do is rush through the experience. There are many, many things to know, and it will literally take you weeks, if not months, to become a competent 3D printer operator. While things are exciting, it is risky to rush through the build, setup and initial prints because at this stage you more than likely don’t know what you’re doing and could actually damage the machine. Take it slow; there are weeks ahead for learning and rushing isn’t going to get you there any faster. Printing Too Big Pushing the build envelope [Source: Fabbaloo] One [...]