There are times when the quantities of prototypes required rise well beyond the conventional 1 – 50 type range. In this blog, Plunkett Associates discuss Digital Light Printing, a process within additive manufacturing, and the many reasons why you should adopt it.
Tim Plunkett established Plunkett Associates in 2005 after identifying a gap in the market for a reliable, impartial and knowledgeable resource through which UK companies could order prototype and low volume production parts.
What can Digital Light Printing do for me?
Digital Light Printing (DLP) is a form of 3D printing which is extremely quick and accurate. It also combines a high degree of accuracy that satisfies most design requirements with various materials. Numerous prototype iterations can be produced together or sequentially, providing visual and tactile feedback and enhancing the design process. DLP can provide parts that range from simple physical models to parts used for functional testing and even production-ready end-use parts.
What size parts can I build?
With a build envelope of 124mm x 70mm x 198mm, the standalone Figure 4 3D printer is perfect for small to medium size retailed parts. The build envelope refers to the maximum volume the printer can print and determines how large of an object the printer can build.
3D printers
Range of materials
A diverse selection of high-performance materials can be used, including those with fire retardancy, high-temperature resistance, or materials that closely replicate ABS or polypropylene properties, to name just a few. Some materials can be sterilised and are even bio-compatible, a perfect fit for the medical industry. Often used as a metal substitute, we’ve printed pins, bushes, brackets, and clips in a fraction of the lead-time of a machined part but with all the required properties.
Micro resin-based parts
For those situations where high resolution is just not enough, we offer a fine resolution process operating from 50-micron down to 10-micron layers, perfect for smaller parts that are feature-rich or where high accuracy is required. With a range of materials and colours plus a 24-hour turnaround service, this provides an easy, fast-track option for micro-based prototypes or production parts.
How quickly can I receive my parts?
The simple answer is, parts can be shipped the same day we receive your data (depending on geometry and availability, of course!) which brings high advantages when projects are under tight timelines or need multiple design reiterations tried and tested. With 30 years of experience in professional prototyping focusing on technical expertise and customer service, Plunkett Associates provides early conceptual prototyping services followed by full production options with tooling and moulding capabilities if required. For further information on DLP, visit www.plunkettassociates.co.uk or contact the team using the details below.
