Metrology Minute – Inspect Using Control X Without a Nominal CAD Model
The optimal workflow in Control X for inspection is to compare the scan of a manufactured part to its corresponding nominal CAD model. This is done by first aligning the scan to the CAD model, typically utilizing datums for the alignment. Once the alignment is complete, any type of dimension, whether feature size, distance, GD&T, etc. may be derived by essentially comparing the dimensions of the scan to those of the nominal CAD model. The system can then report the Reference (Ref.) value (or CAD model dimension) as compared to the Measured (Meas.) value (or scan dimension) and display the differences, whether the dimension is within tolerance or not, and by how much. GD&T information can also be obtained fairly quickly by having the CAD model for comparison and, when needed, defined datums. Below, Datum A is used for both a Total Runout and a Concentricity dimension. The Cylindricity callout does not require a Datum to be used in the definition. So when the CAD model is available, Control X offers an excellent process for metrology by integrating the nominal CAD model into the inspection process. But what about when there is no CAD model? What if just a 2D inspection drawing is [...]
3D Printed Ornament Challenge Deadline Approaching
The Deadline is Approaching on our 3D Printed Ornament Challenge This is a friendly reminder that the deadline for the 3D printed ornament challenge is November 30, 2021. That gives you just over a week to complete and submit your design. Don't miss your chance to win an Amazon gift card and get your unique ornament printed by our 3D printing experts. Your ornament will be delivered to your door before the holidays. Grand Prize will receive a $500 Amazon gift card, plus their 3D printed ornament. 2nd Place will receive a $200 Amazon gift card, plus their 3D printed ornament. The sky's the limit for what you can design. Be creative. Our staff will use an internal vote to narrow the field down to 5 ornaments and then the top 5 designs will be posted to our Facebook page for public voting. The design that receives the most combined likes will be the grand prize winner. In case you need the full details again . . . Designs must be submitted to Cimquest by November 30th via email. Please post a screenshot of your part on either Facebook or Twitter and tag it with #CQ3DPrintedOrnament. Your file must contain a watertight solid: [...]
DYEMANSION ANNOUNCES NEW LIMITED EDITION PRODUCT – THE DM60 BLACK LINE
2DYEMANSION CONTINUES PATH AS ENABLER OF AM SERIAL MANUFACTURING – ANNOUNCES NEW LIMITED EDITION PRODUCT - THE DM60 BLACK LINE With the DM60 Black Line, DyeMansion announces a special limited edition of their proven DM60 combined with a DM60 Reservoir. It is modified and purpose-built to focus on the black coloring of grey Powder Bed Fusion parts such as HP MJF or Stratasys SAF. The new process offers a real automated alternative to pot dyeing. The DM60 Black Line will come with the standard DyeMansion ISO certifications such as cytotoxicity and skin irritation. Users can save 50% cost per part and up to 50% cycle time compared to the classical DM60. Due to the possibility of reusing the process water for up to five dyeing cycles with the DM60 reservoir, the consumption of fresh water and the amount of wastewater are considerably reduced. This bundle is orderable until March 31, 2022. “The demand for coloring grey polyamide parts in black has significantly increased over the past years. The DM60 Black Line is our tailor-made solution to meet this demand in an industrial way with reduced cycle time and cost-per-part. Our customers can now dye their parts with this new developed process in the [...]
Desktop Metal Announces New Nickel Alloy 3D Printing Material
Desktop Metal Qualifies Nickel Alloy IN625 for High-Volume Additive Manufacturing With the Production System Hydraulic spools are a key oil & gas application that assist in adjusting the flow rates of control valves. IN625 is an essential material for these spools to ensure longevity and withstand highly corrosive environments in oil & gas. (Photo: Business Wire) Desktop Metal recently announced it has qualified the use of nickel alloy IN625 (IN625) for the Production System platform, which leverages patent-pending Single Pass JettingTM (SPJ) technology designed to achieve the fastest build speeds in the metal additive manufacturing industry. A nickel-chromium superalloy, IN625 is characterized by its high strength, resistance to corrosion and oxidation, excellent weldability, and ability to withstand extreme, elevated temperatures for parts under load. IN625 is a critical material used extensively in high-temperature aerospace applications, while its corrosion resistance under a range of temperatures and pressures also makes it an excellent choice across marine, power generation, and chemical processing applications. “As Desktop Metal continues to drive our internal R&D efforts to qualify more materials for the Production System platform, we are excited to offer customers an all-inclusive binder jetting solution to print fully characterized IN625 with excellent properties,” said Jonah Myerberg, [...]
CNC Machining in the Automotive Industry
Why is CNC machining used for the automotive industry? With faster and faster model redesign becoming necessary to stay competitive, manufacturers are moving to high-mix/low-volume production and making more specialized, extremely complex parts. As they do, one of their main concerns is in maintaining a low body weight without sacrificing the integrity and overall safety of the vehicle. Often this requires the machining of “difficult” materials— materials that are prone to warping or fracturing during machining. Most often, automotive production uses aluminum and other lightweight material. Relatively new to the industry is polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) acrylic, a shatter-resistant alternative to standard glass used for lighting fixtures and which poses its own machining trouble. Manufacturers are also recognizing the increased desire for luxury tech in their passenger vehicles, which rely on specialized electronic parts with extremely tight tolerances. Meeting these tolerances while maintaining the integrity of the material would be next to impossible without computer numerical control (CNC) machining, which removes the need to manually machine parts. It is especially important to the repeatability and timeliness of production, something vital to the industry that invented the assembly line. Automated CNC machining sends code to machines so that operators only have to set up the [...]
Mastercam 2022-Update Rollout Meeting Webinar
Mastercam 2022- Update Rollout Meeting Webinar Cimquest held online Mastercam 2022-Update Rollout Meeting Webinars since the release of Mastercam 2022. View the webinar on demand here, along with the combined Q&A sessions. https://cimquesttv.wistia.com/medias/mwf4h7fgeb?embedType=async&videoFoam=true&videoWidth=640