Industrial FDM beats injection molding to the finish line thanks to on-demand production
Reinforced the growing interest in 3D printing by disrupting traditional manufacturing techniques.
Injection molding was the customer's initial thought, but due to the build volume and speed of the printer, it was possible to make these parts using 3D printing. In the end, the customer did not have to purchase an expensive injection molding tool and wait weeks before the first run of parts were delivered.
Due to the application of the part, high tolerances and a smooth surface finish were required. Even slight variations in the design would result in a part that would not fit as intended. Based on the geometric features of the cap, Peak Additive also needed to make sure the proper resolution was chosen in order for any features to be clearly defined.
Initially, SureFire Electronics requested the component to be manufactured from Nylon 12. Experience with some of the engineering materials offered by the Fortus 380mc allowed Fred to offer a better suited alternative:
“Based on the annual usage, cost and overall performance (of the part), Peak Additive made the suggestion to switch material to ASA (Acrylonitrile styrene acrylate). ASA has one of the best finishes on the market for 3D printed thermoplastics, high accuracy, lower shrink rate and is UV stable, making it ideal for outdoor applications.”
Total savings from 3D printing - $168 and 7 days lead time (not including the initial tooling cost for the injection molding)
Sources: HUBS