Video: Can 3D Printed Parts Hold Self-Tapping Screws?
By: Peter Zelinski
Automotive light maker Varroc Lighting Systems will soon begin using additive manufacturing for plastic production parts fastened into assemblies. Here are the results of its tests with self-tapping screws.
#video
Jabil Prepares for Production AM: It’s Down to the Basics Now
By: Peter Zelinski
Jabil is getting ready for additive manufacturing to take its place as a production option in addition to conventional processes such as molding and machining. AM can and will fill this role, the company says — the focus now is on controlling cost and assuring quality and reliability.
#machining #polymer
Video: Controlled Porosity Can Be Functional Advantage Realized via 3D Printing
By: Peter Zelinski
A wall of metal that looks solid is actually 90% dense, allowing gas to pass through. Mold venting is one application.
#moldmaking #metal #video
Video: The STL File Can Produce Surface Defects in 3D-Printed Parts
By: Peter Zelinski
Timothy Simpson of Penn State University discusses the influence of model definition in additive manufacturing and what to do about its effects.
#metal #basics #video
Video: Support Structures Are Misnamed! How to Understand Anchors in Additive Manufacturing
By: Peter Zelinski
Supports or anchors can account for a significant share of both the engineering investment and material use in metal additive manufacturing. Michael Hansen of SLM Solutions discusses the role and importance of support structures.
#metal #basics #video
Video: Metal AM Affects Plastics Production via Conformal Cooling
By: Peter Zelinski
Additive manufacturing allows cooling channels within mold tooling inserts to follow the form of the tool rather than being straight drilled holes. Here’s why this matters.
#moldmaking #hybrid #video
Video: The Impact of Part Orientation on Cost and Build Time in AM
By: Peter Zelinski
A different build orientation might mean fewer layers and less support structure, though the part might need to be redesigned to take advantage of this different orientation.
#metal #basics #video
Why Robots and Additive Manufacturing Go Together
By: Peter Zelinski
3D printing and robots enable one another. We miss the possibilities of one if we do not consider the other. The combination includes AM for end effectors, robots for 3D printing parts, and different modes of metal and plastic production.
#metal #largeformat #robots
Video: How Simulation Assists Directed Energy Deposition
By: Peter Zelinski
Scrapping an AM part is potentially as costly as scrapping a machined part. Directed energy deposition is an additive process that can benefit from a resource that safeguards machining: simulation software.
#metal #machining #video
Video: What is Directed Energy Deposition?
By: Peter Zelinski
DED is an additive manufacturing process that builds features or parts in metal by placing material where needed.
#metal #basics #video
Robot Is Production Solution for Laser Metal Deposition
By: Peter Zelinski
The move from prototyping to production might involve a move from machine tool to robot, but development work between Formalloy and the robot suppliers means the process and programming do not have to change.
#metal #robots
The Promise of Robotic Metal Additive Manufacturing
By: Peter Zelinski
Addere’s robot-based laser system builds using standard weld wire. The company was spawned from a robot integrator, and that background has been valuable for both overcoming the challenges and perceiving the possibilities of using a robot for metal 3D printing.
#metal #largeformat #robots
