Rapid Prototyping Service
We offer a FDM rapid prototyping / 3d printing service. This enables the automatic construction of high-quality ABS models. The Dimension SST 768 machine produces parts by extruding molten ABS plastic (rather than starch, wax or similar materials) to give solid plastic objects that can be handled and used, e.g. a camera or a calculator case can be as strong as the real object.
What is Rapid Prototyping?
Components designed in 3D software (such as 3DS Max, or Catia), are traditionally machined by starting with a solid block of material and then machining away the waste with a milling cutter. This process has limitations. A rapid prototyping machine (or 3D printer) allows a model to be constructed without these limitations, and without the need for an engineer to perform the milling process. Our service uses FDM (fused deposition modelling), which starts with an empty machine bed then a print head passes over the bed and deposits a thin layer of material to form a "slice" of the object. The bed is lowered and the print head deposits another slice. The process is repeated until the complete object is formed. Awkward holes and undercuts are simply filled with a honeycomb of "support" plastic which is easily broken off or dissolved later. Check the wikipedia page for more details, or for a more general overview of rapid prototyping.
Recent Models
Some of the recent models to come out of our rapid prototyping machine...
Using the Facility
The costs for using the facility are:
- £1.58 per cubic cm of ABS used (note: many models are hollow, which uses less material)
- £30.00/hour pre and post processing labour costs (most models can be processed in an hour)
- £10.00 postage and packaging (estimate)
We aim to have a 48 hour turnaround once provided with a suitable model.
Contacts
If you would like a quote for using the service, please contact Phil Heslop via e-mail (prototyper@ncl.ac.uk) or by telephone (0191 246 4629).