• Service / 3D Printing

3D Printing

We provide rapid 3D print services as an online and local manufacturing partner to businesses and individuals nationwide.

We, Createproto, are one of the leading 3D printing manufacturers offering top-notch industrial-grade services. The advantageous fact about our 3D printing services is their ability to rapid iteration. Our experts can offer you the new version of the part you want to design just within a week. Moreover, you can rest assured about design flexibility with our 3D printing process which automotive, medical, and aerospace industries can leverage for their product development and production.

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How does 3D Printing Work?

3D printing prototyping, also known as additive manufacturing, is used for producing objects by adding materials layer-by-layer, corresponding to 3D model cross-sections. At Createproto, our process starts with a CAD application. Then, once our experts quote and adjust to ensure manufacturability, the file is sent to the printer to create the part model in layers. Here, the powerful lasers, UV light, and chemicals fuse the layers until it is ready.

3D Printing Applications

In 3D printing, metal alloys, and plastics are the most commonly used materials across different industries, from aerospace to automotive to medical and electronics. These days, even the largest companies are relying on 3D printing prototype services to design unique parts for products related to these sectors. Additive manufacturing makes parts faster and aids in mass customization using cutting-edge technologies while ensuring quick product launches to the market.

What is 3D printing used for?

  • 3D printing prototype service is the best way to prototype faster for presentation models, visual ads, and assembly mockups.

  • In the automotive and aerospace industries, 3D printing meets the demands for lightweight parts to reduce emissions and fuel efficiency.

  • 3D printing has functionally enhanced products by eliminating conventional manufacturing constraints for optimal performance.

  • In custom medical implants, 3D printing is used for controlling the surface with precision to mimic bone structure accurately.

  • For faster tooling, jigs, and fixtures production, 3D printing is a quicker and more affordable alternative, inserting for injection molds, dramatically reducing cycle times.

  • Metal casting combined with 3D printing can meet the gap between the manufacturing approaches and designed parts in case of producing bigger metal objects.

Types of 3D Printers

In recent years, the most commonly used 3D printers to design and produce plastic parts are selective laser sintering (SLS), fused deposition modeling (FDM), and stereolithography (SLA). At Createproto, we offer these professional 3D printing rapid prototyping, producing industrial fabrication tools across different industries.

Stereolithography (SLA)

This one is the first 3D printing technology innovated in the 1980s and still retains its popularity among professionals for 3D printing prototype service. Stereolithography 3D printer uses a laser to turn the liquid resin into hardened plastic in the photopolymerization process.

SLA resin 3D printers are mainly used for creating water-light prototypes with high accuracy using advanced materials with smooth surface finishes and fine features. It offers a variety of thermal, mechanical, and optical properties to meet the demands of industrial, standard, and engineering thermoplastics. It is ideal for high-detailed prototypes, needing smooth surfaces and tight tolerances, such as functional parts, molds, and patterns, for dentistry, short-run manufacturing, rapid prototyping, and jewelry prototype and casting.

SLA 3d printing Createproto

Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)

Selective laser sintering (SLS) 3D printers are ideal for creating end-use parts, custom and short-run manufacturing, and functional prototyping. This technology uses high-power lasers to turn the small polymer powder particles into a solid structure, making it best for complex geometries and interior features, from thin walls to negative features to undercuts. Parts we produce using SLS are strong, resembling injection-molded parts. Nylon is the most common material for SLS 3D printing. SLS is popular due to its high productivity at low costs.

 

sls 3d printing createproto

Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)

Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) i.e. fused filament fabrication (FFF), is the most commonly used 3D printer. It extrudes thermoplastic filaments, like PLA (Polylactic Acid), and ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene), through a heated nozzle to melt the materials and layer the plastic to create a platform. The experts lay down every layer one by one until the party is ready.

FDM 3D printers are ideal for basic proof-of-concept models, including low-cost and quick prototype solutions to create simple parts. But, compared to SLA and SLS, it offers the lowest accuracy and resolution, making it not best for complicated product designs, especially those with intricate designs.

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3D Printing Terms

The most common 3D printing terms related to 3D printing prototype services are as the following:

  • 1. Additive- Materials are added layer-by-layer onto each other to create a product part.

  • 2. Build- The parts you want to machine are in the manufacturing process.

  • 3. Build plate- Physical plate used as a platform for creating parts on it, also known as the print bed

  • 4. Build chamber- 3D printing manufacturers build the parts in this area to avoid contamination at the time of manufacturing

  • 5. DfAM- Acronym for design for additive manufacturing, encompassing the best practices to make functional parts using 3D printing

  • 6. Layer thickness- The height of every material layer used during the 3D printing process

  • 7. Support structures

  • 8. Resolution

  • 9. Orientation

  • 10. Post-processing

  • 11. STL file

  • 12. Warping

Defects and How to Mitigate Them in Your Designs

Sometimes, problems arise with 3D-printed parts during 3D printing prototype service. The best thing you can do is follow DFM guidelines and watch for the following things in your designed parts:

  • Try to avoid large overhangs since they require support structures underneath the printer, making the process time-consuming and increasing material consumption

  • Eliminate thin walls to make the product strong enough to withstand stresses and forces so they don't break easily while using

  • Check if there is warpage, a common issue in 3D-printed parts, caused due to part design or the materials used. In this case, add supports and use thicker walls.

What is 3D printing used for?

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PROTOTYPING
3D printing has long been used to quickly create prototypes for visual aids, assembly mockups, and presentation models.

3d printing medical

CUSTOM MEDICAL IMPLANTS
To achieve osseointegration, manufacturers are using 3D printing to precisely control surface porosity to better mimic real bone structure.

Createproto injection molding

LIGHTWEIGHT PARTS
Fuel efficiency and emissions reductions are driving the need for lightweight parts via 3D printing in aerospace and automotive applications.

Createproto-Automotive

TOOLINGS, JIGS, AND FEATURES
3D printed composite tooling and machining fixtures are often cheaper and faster to produce, and conformally cooled inserts for injection molds can dramatically reduce cycle times.

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FUNCTIONALLY ENHANCED PRODUCTS
3D printing removes many of the constraints imposed by traditional manufacturing processes that prevent engineers from truly designing for optimal performance.

CNC Aluminum Parts

METAL CASTING PATTERNS
Combining 3D printing with metal casting bridges the gap between generatively designed parts and proven manufacturing approaches for large metal objects.

FAQs

  • How much does a 3D print cost?

It depends on different factors, including labor, time, the weight of the prints, and machine wear.

  • How long will it take to print?

It can usually take hours but the time length can vary based on the detailing level of the STL file and other demands. Larger sizes and precision may need a longer time to print.

  • How will I know when the print is done?

We will notify you via email once your 3D print is over. In fact, you will be informed if there are any problems, requiring your attention.

  • What colors are available?

At Createproto, we have a wide variety of filaments available for 3D printing, including yellow, white, and green. But, there’s only one color for one object.