3D printing – additive prototype construction

3D printing – in the past also known as rapid prototyping, rapid tooling and rapid manufacturing, has become the established generic term for additive prototype construction. Unlike removing procedures such as e.g. milling, 3D printer models build models through the layer by layer stabilisation of a material directly from the 3D CAD data. This additive principle provides enormous advantages over removing procedures, for example no geometrical limits (undercuts, hollows and the like are feasible), efficient material utilisation (component volume) and especially the enormous speed – depending on the process, prototypes can be produced in a few hours with 3D printing.

is simply an illusion – we do not have that “jack of all trades” device either. 

Our philosophy – the 4D Concept if you will – is the use of the optimal 3D printing procedure for the specific requirements. Because the right tool matters. That's why we use all common plastic-based 3D printing processes in-house:

• ColorJet Printing (CJP)
• MultiJet Printing (MJP)
• PolyJet Printing (PJ)
• Stereolithography (SLA)
• Selective laser sintering (SLS)
• Multi Jet Fusion (MJF)
• Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) | Continuous Filament Fabrication (CFF)

The only thing all 3D printers have in common is the layer by layer production principle. There are large differences though in the processed materials, detail resolution, surface quality, tolerances and the like. 

So it is important to use the suitable procedure or combination of different procedures for the respective requirement in order to achieve the best possible benefits with maximum efficiency. 

Our 3D printing options are amended with conventional model making and duplication processes like vacuum casting and low-pressure spraying.