3D Printing / Additive Mfg

Traditional molds for silicone part production are CNC machined from blocks of aluminum or steel. These include two-part or multi-part injection molds for liquid silicone rubbers (LSR), or single cavity compression molds used with a heat-cured rubber (HCR) silicone sheet that is cured under pressure and high temperature. Normally these types of metal molds are used in mass production. However, when employed for prototyping, lead times of several weeks and upfront tooling costs of hundreds [...]

Formlabs recently announced the new Form 4, their next-generation resin 3D printer that redefines the industry standard for speed, accuracy, reliability, and material versatility. Form 4 and its biocompatible version, Form 4B, represents the next evolution in stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing technology, built upon years of groundbreaking hardware, software, and materials science innovations. With unprecedented speed, Form 4/B delivers the majority of parts in under two hours, in all materials, without ever compromising on dimensional [...]

Fast-Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) provider Unilever and Serioplast Global Services are leveraging Formlabs’ 3D printing technology to overhaul the conventional process of developing and testing new bottle designs. As per Formlabs, the journey from conceptualizing a design to mass-producing plastic bottles has been arduous and costly. The conventional method primarily involves blow molding, requiring intricate metal tooling and specialized equipment. This process is characterized by prolonged production cycles and substantial expenses, posing challenges for companies [...]