Product category:
Fast prototyping equipment, pattern-making and services
News Release from: 3T RPD | Subject: Direct metal laser sintering (DMLS)
Edited by the Manufacturingtalk Editorial
Team on 27 August 2007
UK rapid prototyping firm offers metals
parts
UK's largest selective laser sintering provider now offers a facility for fast, accurate production of durable, complex metal parts and low volume production components.
Claiming to be the UK's largest selective laser sintering (SLS) provider, 3T RPD is now supplying metal parts using direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) 3T RPD has acquied a second EOS M270 metal sintering machine, and has a new website dedicated to their capabilities in DMLS
This article was originally published on Manufacturingtalk on 19 Apr 2004 at 8.00am (UK)
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With total laser sintering capacity exceeding that found anywhere else in the UK, a Newbury subcontractor has opened a sales office in Telford to service northern and midland regions.
Whilst the production of functional prototypes and aesthetic models using the SLS process is still a fundamental part of the company's remit, 3T's move into providing metal parts is a timely response to industry demands.
Designers and manufacturers are increasingly seeking the fast, accurate production of durable, complex parts and low volume production components, and DMLS is the cost-effective method of choice as it negates the investment in time and money of conventional tooling.
3T have invested heavily in the necessary premises, machinery and equipment to offer an unparalleled service.
Further reading
Laser sintering machine is world's largest
To meet demands for larger fast prototyped parts, and larger batches, a subcontractor has installed what is believed to be the world's largest laser sintering machine.
Large-sized laser sintering capacity offered
What may be the world's largest laser sintering machine is now fully installed and operational at a UK-based rapid prototyping facility.
Large fast prototyping system capacity available
With a build volume of 700 x 380 x 580mm a twin laser fast prototyping system allows even the largest jobs to be shipped within seven days.
The company has increased its already impressive purpose-built 13,000ft2 premises in Newbury by a further 6,000ft2 to accommodate a DMLS facility, as well as employing specialist personnel.
The latest addition to the team is Dr Bruno Le Razer, one of the world's leading authorities on the production of metal components using DMLS.
With nine years experience in the field, the last two of which have been spent using the EOS M270 machine, he has pioneered a number of new production methods previously thought impossible to achieve.
3T RPD currently offers manufacturing in four DMLS metals, as follows.
* Stainless steel (EOS SS 17-4).
* Cobalt chrome (EOS CC MP1).
* Bronze (EOS DM20).
* Maraging Steel 1.2709 (EOS MS1).
The company is opening up opportunities for a vast array of different applications within many demanding industry sectors, particularly aerospace, automotive and medical, with further metals for DMLS becoming available in the near future.
* About DMLS - DMLS is a revolutionary technology that produces metal components that are 99.99% dense, directly from a designer's 3D CAD data.
The parts produced are comparable to a good investment cast part and the mechanical properties are comparable to those of a cast or machined component.
The process is not restrictive in its application and the components produced can be used in place of almost any conventionally manufactured part, whether they would normally be machined or cast.
The more complex or feature rich the component, the more economical the process becomes, and with 98% of the unused powder being recycled, the process is economical and environmentally friendly.
With a machine build envelope of 250x250x215mm (including platform), many medium to small parts and inserts are able to be constructed in hours and days, versus days and weeks using other more conventional processes.
Once started, the machine builds unattended, 24h/day.
Parts and inserts that come out of the machine typically go through a series of 'post processing' steps including support removal, shot-peening and polishing, with 3T's team of specialist finishers producing the highest quality finishes with every last detail taken care of.
More and more companies are dramatically reducing their time to market by adopting the DMLS process for low volume production of their components, ie.
'Rapid Manufacturing'.
3T are able to supply as many or as few parts at a time as required, saving on WIP inventory.
Furthermore, small design variations for every single part can be incorporated and the DMLS process will treat them all in the same way.
In effect, DMLS enables 'Mass Customisation'.
3T is set to become the UK's leading provider of low volume manufactured parts in both plastics and metal, making Rapid Manufacturing a reality for many of their customers.
Their consultative approach to doing business and expertise in SLS and DMLS technologies ensures their customers always get the highest quality parts, service and delivery for all their prototyping and manufacturing requirements.
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