3D Printing and Rapid Prototyping

WHY WE DON’T USE AUTOMATIC WEB-BASED QUOTING

(find out even more here about why we don’t use automatic web-based quoting)

 One of our main goals at BSLA Paradigm/3dRapidParts.com is to be the premier low-cost provider of rapid plastic prototype parts via 3D Printing and FDM technology.  Low-cost does not mean lower quality, however.  We use the exact same processes as other bureaus, and we deliver just as quickly…..usually QUICKER in fact.

We simply keep our overhead low so that we can pass the savings on to you. It’s not hard….it’s common sense.  We treat our customers the way we like to be treated.  Rapid, quality service with lots of communication.  Simple.

Just take a look around at some of the “instant quotes” you get through other companies.  They are outrageous.

Try the instant quote features at xpress3d.com, redeyerpm.com or APproto.com.  Yikes.

We don’t use instant-quotes at BSLA Paradigm because there are too many variables in even the simplest project to give an accurate and economical quote without communicating with the customer.  Surface finish requirements, detail features such as snaps and determining what the part will be used for are only a few of the things that can drastically affect the cost of the part.  Instant-quotes orient the part in the way that is most economical for the PROTOTYPER.  At BSLA Paradigm we orient your parts in the way that is most economical and useful to you, the CUSTOMER. 

Give us a try. We are different and we are better.  Oh yeah, we are less expensive with better quality and better material as well!

Simply contact us directly or send your files for a rapid (but not instant!) quote at:

QUOTES@PROTOZ.COM

It is convenient, no question about it.  And quick.  But do online quoting engines really serve the needs of rapid prototyping customers better than manual quotes?  When it comes to 3D printing and FDM (fused deposition modeling) the answer just may be “no”.  Sure it’s nice to be able to quickly get a price, place your order and pay immediately all at one time, but if the parts are not what you need when you get them, what is the benefit?

Part Orientation:  A Huge Factor in Part Quality and Price

Obviously there are parameters built into the code that runs the quoting engines that analyze the part and orient it in the build chamber based upon these parameters.  For the purposes of this article, those parameters don’t even need to be discussed.  Why?  Because no matter what the parameters arre, they simply cannot take into account all of the things that an experienced rapid prototyping professional automatically applies when programming parts to be built.

For exaample, snap features are very common for 3d printed parts, and since the whole point of rapid prototyping is to apply form, fit and function testing to the parts to prove out design, these snap features need to actually work!  As is common knowledge to anyone familiar with the process, if these features are not built in an orientation that optimizes strength and flexibility they are useless.  For instance, who hasn’t seen snap features break off when hardly any force is applied to them because they were built in such a way that they were subject to the weakness inherent in the layers that make up 3d printed parts? What good is that?  And since it is such an important consideration, how can we be confident that “dumb” automatic quoting engines can even recognize a snap feature, much less orient for maximum strength and flexibilty of the feature?

And of course, snap features are only one consideration.  Others are dimensional accuracy, part surface finish, and part strength.  In short, all of these things require human eyes and decision-making when orienting the parts for rapid prototyping / 3d printing / fused deposition modeling (FDM).

A Happy Medium

This does not mean, however, that there has to be a long wait, multiple phone calls and hassle when getting quotes for your RP needs.  At 3dRapidParts.com we apply a happy medium in that we allow the customer to supply minimal information and quickly upload part files via our website athttp://www.3drapidparts.com/quote.htm.  We personally take a look at the parts, read any comments that the customer has attached, and quote the parts accordingly.  In this we we can make suggestions, or provide multiple quotes with different options depending upon what we think may be important to the customer. In this way we can optimize customer satisfaction, part surface finish and usability of the parts.  Quotes are always returned via email within an hour, usually much quicker, and convenient payment via of Paypal is offered at that point, as well as credit card.

Our philosphy lends itself to hassle-free and quick quoting / order placing that ensures customer satisfaction.  No one can write code that gives you ALL of that!!

It may surprise some to learn that FDM parts are accurate and robust enough to be used as fixtures and jigs for assembly and machining. Also, FDM parts themselves can be machined to achieve a very nice result. Because of these things, more and more FDM parts are being used as fixtures and jigs. For machining fixtures, the FDM part is simply designed to conform to the CAD model of the desired finish part. This is especially nice for parts with complex surfaces that will be difficult or impossible to hold without a fixture. It can then be drilled, tapped, machined etc. in order to achieve a cost effective and quick fixturing method. And, you can use your machining center to work on your part, and not to make a fixture; let the FDM machine do that for you!

The same holds true for assembly; the FDM part can be designed to hold two or more parts in position for assembly and fastener applications, or for gluing/bonding, etc.

Also, with FDM, complex fixtures can be created with undercuts and cavities that may be extremely difficult or impossible to create with traditional methods of machining etc. If you can conceive it, FDM can do it!! And it’s done while you sleep or while you are working on something else. Now THAT is a benefit.

For more on this, and our Rapid Prototyping Service please go to www.3dRapidParts.com

Many customers and potential customers may not realize that we are not limited as to the size of parts we can build with FDM.

Because the properties of the plastic that we use (ABSplus, 40% stronger than standard ABS plastic) are such that it is perfect for “solvent-welding” (utilizing chemicals to join/weld one segment to another) we can “puzzle cut” (see pics) larger parts, utilizing our special software, and build them in sections.  We then join the parts together as a post-process, thus creating the larger part required. 

Please see the pictures for details and for examples of large parts that we have utilized this method to manufacture here:   http://www.3drapidparts.com/largepics.html

This is currently the most common use for FDM parts. During the development cycle parts are needed to validate form, fit and function and the workability of the design before the expense and time to design and create a mold are undertaken. By using FDM you can test a design, make the necessary tweaks and make another to completely prove out the concept before going any further. Our FDM parts are robust and strong enough to snap into a working assembly to verify a design or to highlight problem areas. We routinely make FDM parts with snapp features and other small features that are usable for this purpose.Go to our homepage at www.3dRapidParts.com to learn more about our service and to get a FREE, RAPID QUOTE!