3D Printing

What is 3D printing?

3D printing is an umbrella term used to describe all additive manufacturing technologies. It is a process that uses digital CAD models to literally add material together to ultimately create three-dimensional objects. Unlike subtractive manufacturing, where the object is achieved through the removal of material from a solid block, additive manufacturing constructs the object through successively depositing layers of material.

What are the advantages of 3D printing?

Through 3D printing, objects or parts are built in very thin layers allowing for highly complex geometries that are impossible via any other manufacturing process. 3D printing works best for rapidly creating functional prototypes and end-use parts that are high in detail. There are a number of additive manufacturing technologies available, each with their own advantages based on the layering methodology and material used – with a range of plastics and metals available. Our rigorous quality control measures and commercial-grade equipment create highly precise parts every time.

Which 3D printing technology should I use?

Stereolithography

Stereolithography (SL) uses an ultraviolet laser that draws on the surface of liquid thermoset resin to create thousands of thin layers until final parts are formed.

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Selective Laser Sintering

Selective laser sintering (SLS) uses a CO² laser that lightly fuses nylon-based powder, layer by layer, until final thermoplastic parts are created.

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Direct Metal Laser Sintering

Direct metal laser sintering (DMLS) uses a fiber laser system that draws onto a surface of atomized metal powder, welding the powder into fully dense metal parts.

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Multi Jet Fusion

Multi Jet Fusion selectively applies fusing and detailing agents across a bed of nylon powder, which are fused in thousands of layers by heating elements into a solid functional component.

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PolyJet & 3D Printed Silicone

PolyJet uses a jetting process where small droplets of liquid photopolymer are sprayed from multiple jets onto a build platform and cured in layers that form elastomeric parts.

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Making the un-manufacturable manufacturable

Building a part in thousands of thin layers affords designers the opportunity to create highly complex geometries that are often impossible to mould – internal channels and holes that are unreachable by end mills, or entire assemblies printed as a single piece. But what happens when additive prototypes are ready to graduate to injection moulding? At Protolabs, automated software identifies mouldability issues and recommends solutions in an interactive quote. That might mean a bit of design retooling, but it can quickly turn a 3D printed prototype into a production-ready part.

Additive manufacturing materials

We use a range of commercial-grade thermoset resins, and thermoplastic and metal powders to 3D print parts that are suitable for various part applications and industries.

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