Product category:
Rapid Prototyping
News Release from: 3T RPD
Edited by the Engineeringtalk Editorial
Team on 08 April 2005
Hardy adds to 3T finish
3T RPD are pleased to welcome Clive Hardy to their Finishing team, signifying further the successful growth of these Rapid Product Development specialists.
3T RPD has added Clive Hardy to its finishing team, signifying further the successful growth for the rapid product development specialist Hardy brings with him a wealth of experience and expertise in modelmaking and will be a driving force in 3T's continued efforts to extend their range of finishing options
This article was originally published on Engineeringtalk on 20 Dec 2002 at 8.00am (UK)
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Prototypes take on permanent surface colouring
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.
Laser sintering machine speeds prototyping
3T RPD has acquired the world's largest laser sintering machine, the P700 from EOS.
A Senior Modelmaker at Dyson for seven years, he has previous experience in the design and manufacture of light aircraft and has worked with the selective laser sintering process for the last five years.
Jon Porter, 3T's Operations Manager says: "The continued success of 3T is driven by the skills of the people we have carefully selected".
"Clive's ability to produce high tolerance results in the shortest possible timescales will further develop the range of finishing techniques available to our customers".
Further reading
Seminars explain rapid product development
The "3 steps to successful rapid product development" seminars at 3T's site in Newbury have proved extremely popular over the last 2 years.
More dates for RPD seminars
The "3 steps to successful rapid product development" seminars at 3T's site in Newbury continue to prove popular.
3T's finishing team now blends skilled patternmakers with modelmakers, whose expertise combine the functionality of SLS prototypes with high quality aesthetics, without unduly delaying the delivery.
SLS technology uses layer based construction techniques which, although offering significant benefits in terms of build speed, can sometimes give a stepped surface finish.
From a purely functional aspect this is seldom a problem, however from the aesthetic perspective they may require additional finishing.
Hardy's skills will enhance 3T's existing capability to supply prototypes to full marketing model standard, and increase the aesthetics, painting and dressing options available.
3T has recently pioneered a low cost method of improving the visual impact of their functional prototypes with a revolutionary colouring process.
Single parts or large batches can be supplied in a standard range of colours.
Requiring no surface dressing, this post-process is usually covered by a flat charge irrespective of parts count.
Giving a permanent surface colouring, assemblies become clearer, components can be highlighted, and resilience to handling discolouration enhanced.
Furthermore, functionality remains unaffected.
Tim Plunkett, CEO of 3T says: "Laser sintered prototypes find themselves in a much wider range of applications these days, and they can be transformed by the application of colour".
"Black is by far the most common requirement and has had a huge impact".
"Customers are very pleased with the visual effect and when combined with the high functionality of nylon and glass filled nylon, has opened up new opportunities".
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