3D Printing
3D printing has been adopted by nearly all industries for its many advantages. Additive manufacturing facilitates creation of parts with complex shapes, permits rapid prototyping, and enables on demand production for small batch runs. Thingsmiths works with automotive companies, inventors, engineers, architects, and sales teams by providing the best 3D printing service in southeast Michigan. Common applications include prototyping inventions, creating display models, and producing fixtures, fittings, and templates. We offer a wide range of materials that are appropriate for many applications.
Materials
- PA12
- TPU 95A
- PA11
Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) is an innovative 3D printing technology that utilizes a print head to jet a binding agent onto a powdered material bed, selectively adhering particles, which are then heated and fused. With a moderate range of compatible thermoplastic materials available, MJF permit high output production with excellent accuracy and surface finish.
Materials
- PLA
- ABS
- PETG
- Nylon (PA12)
- Polycarbonate
- TPU 60A, 70A, 75A, 85A, 95A(Flexible)
- Carbon Fiber PLA
- Carbon Fiber ABS
- Carbon Fiber Nylon
- Metal-filled PLA
- Glass-filled ABS
- ASA
- PVA
- PCTG
- Glass-filled PLA
- PLA+
FDM or Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF) 3D printing is a process by which a thermal plastic is fed through a heated extruder and deposited onto a plate layer by layer. We have a range of FDM machines that range in both size and material capabilities.
Materials
SLA 3D printing is the process by which a laser photopolymerizes a photoreactive liquid resin onto a plate layer by layer. We use Formlabs printers, resin, and post-processing equipment to provide the most consistent printing results.
Additional Manufacturing Services
Partnering with others in the industry we offer additional manufacturing methods including Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), Polyjet, Multijet Fusion (MJF), Binder Jetting, Sandstone Deposition, and Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS). We also offer silicone casting services.
Is 3D Printing Right for Me?
The use of 3D printing for production is most cost-effective when batch size is relatively low compared to subtractive manufacturing and molding both of which gain a cost-advantage at high unit volumes.
3D printing as a method of manufacturing is optimized when used for low volume production runs of complex parts. Machining, casting, and molding are better used at higher volume runs of less complex parts.