Technical

When designing your part, keep in mind what way it needs to be orientated on the build plate. Not only will this help the part to build, it will reduce the need for support structures, post processing and provide you with a better part. Most people assume their part will be built with the most…

One of the additional services we offer is heat treatment. The metals we print can be treated in the same way as machined parts which means if there is a specific heat treatment you require, it is likely we can offer that on site in one of our furnaces.  For many of the parts, especially…

This is a question we get asked on a regular basis. The reason people want printed threads varies. Some customers find it less time consuming than drilling and tapping from scratch, some find it handy for fixing the part into a machining jig and others use it as a feature of their specific part. We…

We have four materials running full-time in our machines. They are Stainless Steel 316L, Stainless Steel 15-5ph, Inconel 718 and Titanium 64. We have offered Aluminium but there hasn’t been a high enough demand to run this full-time and we will review this as needed. The materials and their uses: Stainless Steel 15-5ph provides high…

One of the best ways to reduce mass without reducing too much structural integrity, is to add a lattice structure. The benefit of using a lattice over simply hollowing a part, is the lattice does not require internal support. When designed correctly, it can maintain good strength and performance.  We can create a simple uniform…

One of the most common questions we are asked is “what is your standard fit and tolerance”? so we thought we would answer this. THREADS We print a lot of threads and can print them down to M3 size. Threads need to be modelled and not be cosmetic or visual. If your CAD software cannot…

Support is required for most metal 3D printed parts as it connects the part to the build plate. Support also holds up overhanging surfaces and helps maintain the structure. Surfaces below 45 degrees are likely to require support. Another use of support is to remove heat and stress build up within a part. The ideal…

The picture on the left is the original piece and the image on the right was printed in Titanium 64. Consideration of material properties will really help you get the most out of your part. Put simply, if the mass doesn’t need to be there, get rid of it! Traditional manufacturing and design methods tend…

Gilly who worked for us, had asked us for a long while about having a 3D 10mm ratchet spanner printed for rigging her sculling boats. Seems like Christmas has come early for her! Phil designed the first prototype (gold coloured one). It is printed in stainless steel 15-5ph and was heat treated to 46 HRC,…