Though not often required, the visual properties of an FDM part can be improved using chemical vapor smoothing. This process can be simple, using just a brush and acetone (or other solvent) to paint the part, or more complex, using an enclosed volume with circulating air and acetone vapor passing over the part. Both methods attempt to smooth the layer lines from an FDM print by melting the print material with a chemical solvent. Melting the external layer smooths the “peaks” and “valleys” in a printed part.
3D printing has revolutionized the manufacturing industry by allowing for the creation of complex and intricate parts with a level of precision and accuracy that was previously impossible. One of the key players in the 3D printing space is Stratasys, a leading provider of 3D printing solutions and the creator of Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) technology.
Leading up to the 2022 Winter Olympic Games in Beijing, the US men and women competing in the Luge event have spent the past few years improving their equipment and sled speed with the help of additive manufacturing. Teams around the world are getting faster (already reaching speeds over 90mph), and when you’re being timed to the thousandth of a second, you want every advantage you can get.
Stratasys recently announced that beginning with the Fortus 450, a 3D printer designed for rigorous 24/7 production, users will have the option to bring new materials to the platform, and access to previously untouchable print parameters.
Be on the lookout! Stratasys will soon be updating the print heads for their F123 Series 3D printers. This updated design will not only help improve performance but will eliminate an error that can occur during auto-changing materials on the F270 and F370 3D printers.
In May 2020, amid a global pandemic, devastation and destruction struck mid-Michigan yet again, when both the Edenville and Sanford dams collapsed following a record-breaking rainfall. This “500-year flood” forced more than 10,000 residents in Midland County to evacuate and seek safety before the breached dam water ransacked their homes and belongings. Having endured watching their community suffer from the aftermath, Mid Michigan College (Mid) Phi Theta Kappa (PTK) students began their research to investigate the cause and help prevent future floods from devastating their community, and others as well.
Stratasys recently unveiled three brand new 3D printers. One printer, in particular, filled what some would consider, the widest hole in their 3D printer portfolio: an affordable, large-scale system. After years of research and development, Stratasys has released an affordable, professional, large-format 3D printer: the F770. The F770 straddles the line between the production-capable Fortus series and the designer-friendly F123 Series.
The Makerbot METHOD series is an affordable 3D printer that delivers manufacturing-grade parts and an open platform for advanced engineering materials. The METHOD features a robust metal frame, heated build chamber, and moisture controlled material storage. In the classroom, the Makerbot is prized for its reliability, speed, and professional-grade quality.
3D printing has become common practice during the development process. 3D printed parts can be used to verify fit, finish, and sometimes even function. The cost to own a 3D printer has come down drastically over the years and with the value they add, they’re without question becoming an essential tool for any designer.