Published in: SOLIDWORKS 3D CAD
With so Many Advantages to Using CAM Software, Why do Some Still Program CNC by Hand? The typical response when we ask that question is “That’s just how we’ve always done it.” I fail to understand why companies are still programming by hand due to the limitations and problems associated with it. We will be
Published in: Manufacturing, 3D Printing
If you manufacture parts or products, chances are your biggest problem is attracting and retaining a quality workforce. Machinists and tool and die makers are exceptionally hard to hire, as more people pursue universities instead of a trade school. This blog will explain how 3D printing fixtures ease skilled labor shortage pains. In our current
Published in: 3D Printing
Since SOLIDWORKS 2019 came out, I have been obsessed with the 3D texture function. 3D texturing has been used in more art-focused 3D modeling programs like Maya or 3DS Max for a long time, but never before in a mechanically-focused program like I’m used to. Sometimes this function is referred to as “displacement mapping”. I
Published in: 3D Printing
People have been making things for a long time. As the Industrial Revolution progressed, the status quo for manufacturing and metal prototyping became subtractive manufacturing. Like the common three-axis mills and lathes, these machines can be manually operated or driven by computer systems and motors. Though simple in function, these cutting tools have shaped the
Published in: Manufacturing
You’ve probably heard the phrase “IoT” or “Internet of Things” thrown around in tech videos or at a conference, but do you know what IoT is? It’s an electro-mechanical device connecting to the internet to share data without requiring human-to-human or human-to-computer interaction. I like to think of it as a device that takes in
Published in: 3D Printing
It has been a few weeks since I attended the Additive Manufacturing Users’ Group conference (AKA “AMUG”), and I have been thinking about 3D printing for production quite a bit. A lot of the presentations and conversations at the event talked about mass production with 3D printing. However, my conclusion is that we are still
Published in: 3D Printing
Stratasys surprised everyone when they announced their own commercial SLA (Stereolithography) 3D printer. Stratasys has always been a leader in PolyJet and FDM 3D printing but the V650 Flex SLA printer gives them influence in a new technology market. Why Use SLA? Unlike FDM and Polyjet, SLA systems use lasers to selectively harden section of
Published in: 3D Printing
If you thought that Stratasys FDM print quality was out of your budget, look again. The newest member of the F123 Series of printers, the F120, raises the bar for ease of use and overall quality for businesses of all sizes. The F120 was designed as an entry-level system for operations that are inexperienced or
Published in: 3D Printing, Plastics
You may have heard that the dental industry is one of the largest users of 3D printing in the world. Mass customization of aligners and other dental tools have made adoption of the technology a huge financial win. My dentist, who also happens to be my dad, had a different 3D printing request. A clamp
Published in: 3D Printing, 3D Scanners
When so much force is applied to a part that it permanently bends or changes shape, that part has undergone plastic deformation. At a basic level, it is easy to look at a part and recognize that it has changed shape. Figuring out exactly how the part changed shape is a much bigger challenge. If
