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Prototypes take on permanent surface colouring

Edited by the Engineeringtalk editorial team Dec 20, 2002

3T RPD can now supply SLS prototypes with a permanent surface colouring in a range of colours including black, grey, red, green, blue and yellow.

3T RPD can now supply SLS prototypes with a permanent surface colouring in a range of colours including black, grey, red, green, blue and yellow.

This has been achieved as a direct result of customer demand, to provide a low cost method of colouring bulk parts.

Laser sintered components are now finding themselves in a much wider range of applications, some of which can be transformed by the application of colour.

Assemblies become clearer, components can be highlighted, and resilience to handling discolouration enhanced.

The usual approach of dressing and painting the surface is expensive, relative to the part cost, and frequently excessive.

The recently released colouring option requires no surface dressing and is usually covered by a flat charge irrespective of parts count.

Thus what was previously several hundred pounds, can be considerably reduced to a few tens of pounds.

Tim Plunkett, CEO of 3T says Black is by far the most common requirement and has had a huge impact.

Customers are very pleased with the visual impact and when combined with the high functionality of nylon and glass-filled nylon, has opened up new opportunities.