3D printing
For prototypes and short production runs.
Be careful of what you ask for or accept.
Is the printing service recommending:
~ only what they know about,
~ only has experience with,
~ only has in material in stock
~ only has particular equipment/accessories to use?
There are cost differences of materials so initial prototypes may be best for lower cost materials.
Filaments for consumer and commercial level printers.
This video compares 9 filament categories.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WK-61N-dE8E
One of dozens of explainer videos for filament types and uses
Metal powders are primarily used in industrial level equipment and needs.
These videos are just a fraction of available knowledge to help you decide on the manufacturing methods that are available for metal part prototyping and production.
SLS Powders - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fx3XwzGwQSY
Laser Powder Bed Fusion - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r8_M995cwAA
Orientation - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NkMRzpobmQQ
Orientation - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4PN8yZB8gcM
What is the priority order of these characteristics for your product(s)?
~ chemical resistance (which chemicals?)
~ temperature stability
~ compression resistance
~ tear resistance
~ flexibility
~ rigidity
~ mat and texture capability
~ brittleness
~ friction resistance
~ ductile / ductility
~ ultra violet (sun) resistance
~ hygroscopic - hydroscopic
~ light weight
~ composites – mixed characteristics
~ heat resistance – heat dissipation
~ impact resistance
~ warping resistance
~ rigidity under heat
~ axial strength
~ tensile strength
~ moving parts within one unit
~ multiple parts that connect together for larger sizes or complexity
~ compressibility
Here is a starter list of 3D / Additive Manufacturing trade shows.
Go to their current and recent websites to find videos of seminars and the content of the exhibitors.
You may also find YouTubers who walk the floor of the shows to interview some of the unique exhibitors
Attend if you can.
Major Industrial & Professional Events
Metal manufacturing shows now also have large sections for 3D printing tech.
RAPID + TCT: This is North America's largest annual additive manufacturing and industrial 3D printing event. It rotates locations each year (such as Boston) and features exhibits from over 400 leading product and service providers alongside keynote presentations.
rapid + tct +1
Formnext: Held annually in Frankfurt, Germany, this is arguably the world's leading international exhibition and conference dedicated entirely to additive manufacturing and industrial production processes.
AMUG Conference: The Additive Manufacturing Users Group conference brings together industry professionals, engineers, and manufacturers for technical sessions and hands-on training.
Community & Maker Festivals
3DPrintopia: A hybrid festival and trade show celebrating the broader 3D printing community, featuring maker projects, tech talks, and 3D-printed race competitions.
Rocky Mountain RepRap Festival (RMRRF): A massive annual community-focused event for desktop 3D printing enthusiasts, makers, and open-source hardware developers featuring printer showcases and community races. RMRRF.com
When you are interested in learned about the engineering and design side of 3D printing this website will be enlightening.
The running of the machine is a small part of what you should be willing to pay for. A good designed will be able to reduce the trial and error iterations of a
production ready part or product. https://www.youtube.com/@ContriveDesignInnovations/shorts
Written and Shared by:
David Bruce Savage - Pointer Consulting
Founder and leader of the Inventor’s Education Forum in Jacksonville Florida
Pointing the way for Inventors and Product Developers with Connections, Resources and Advice.
InventorsEducationForum.org
We also serve business advisors and intellectual property professionals around the country and around the world by providing a free and independent referral resource to inventors who contact them for help.
From my varied work and personal experiences, as well as my leadership of two inventor’s education groups, I provide advice for saving time, money and frustration for inventors, product developers. And I’ll point out the devilish and challenging details that others often avoid sharing
Whether you are just exploring the viability of your ideas or have products on the market it will be well worth your while to spend some time with me.