At Quickparts, we are passionate about the dynamic and diverse world of additive manufacturing, where innovation is continuous. In this blog, we shed some light on the wealth of materials that define the additive manufacturing landscape, transforming how we approach low-volume production.
Advanced Materials – Redefining Possibilities
Everyone knows that additive manufacturing has created a new era of manufacturing possibilities. Every service bureau vying for space in the additive manufacturing arena will have a curated selection of advanced materials that redefine what can be achieved with 3D printing. Quickparts is no different. From high-performance polymers to specialized metals, our range provides ingenious solutions for all your manufacturing needs.
Customization Through Material Diversity
The explosion of 3D printing materials is revolutionizing customization. Quickparts has been a pioneer in the additive manufacturing arena and offers SLA, SLS, DLP (Figure 4) and DMP in-house. For each of these technologies, our diverse material portfolio empowers you with options. Whether you seek enhanced strength, flexibility, or specific thermal properties, there is a wide spectrum of choices tailored to your unique requirements. Need a strong, lightweight part for a drone? There’s a composite material for that. Designing a biocompatible prosthetic limb? Look to 3D printable medical-grade plastics. This material diversity empowers creators to tailor their projects to function, look, and feel exactly how they envision.
Be aware, though, that not all technologies are created equal, and while most of our materials are suitable for real-world applications and therefore low volume manufacturing, there are some that should remain as suitable for prototyping only. This is particularly true of SLA materials.
Metals Beyond the Conventional
Unlike traditional methods restricted by subtractive processes like machining, metal 3D printing allows for the creation of intricate, complex designs directly from digital files. This opens doors to creating bespoke components with features impossible to achieve through traditional means, such as lightweight, high-strength parts with internal channels or lattice structures, customized for specific applications. Additionally, the ability to utilize various metal powders, like titanium for its strength-to-weight ratio or inconel for high temperatures, allows for parts tailored to specific performance requirements. This level of design freedom empowers engineers and designers to push boundaries and create truly unique and functional metal objects.
Step into the realm of metal additive manufacturing with Quickparts. We offer DMP – direct metal printing or metal sintering – enabling you to elevate your low-volume production with the strength, durability, and precision. Through our Instant Quote facility, you can assess prices and order parts in Stainless Steel, Titanium and Inconel (Europe and the UK only). However, we’re not restricted to these three materials and also offer metal printing in Aluminium, Miraging Steel and other Nickel alloys.
High-Performance Polymers for Precision
Precision meets versatility with Quickparts’ high-performance polymer selection. From SLS nylons and flexible elastomers to highly engineered, V-0 rated, flame retardant polyurethanes for DLP, Quickparts’ wide range of performance 3D printing offers a world of polymers engineered for exceptional performance, providing the strength and resilience required for diverse applications in low-volume manufacturing.
Biocompatible Materials for Medical Innovations
Quickparts bridges the gap between cutting-edge technology and healthcare with a range of biocompatible 3D printing materials. The medical field can now harness the power of additive manufacturing, creating intricate and personalized components specifically designed to work seamlessly within the human body. From custom orthotics and prosthetics that perfectly match a patient’s unique anatomy, or intricate medical devices tailored for single use surgical devices, our materials offer an immense contribution to the continued process of revolution for healthcare and improvement of patient outcomes.
Sustainability Through Innovative Materials
Quickparts embraces sustainability through innovative materials in additive manufacturing. Discover eco-friendly options that reduce waste and environmental impact without compromising on quality or performance. Experience a new era of responsible manufacturing with our forward-thinking materials.
The Future? Material Combinations for Enhanced Properties
The future of 3D printing with multiple materials is brimming with exciting possibilities, and with our program of technology exploration to stay at the forefront of innovation, you can expect to see some of these advancements at Quickparts in the near future.
Advancements in printing technology will likely lead to finer control over material deposition, enabling the creation of intricate objects with precise transitions and gradients between different materials. This could pave the way for the development of objects with truly unique and customized properties.
Multi-material printing also has the potential to integrate various functionalities directly within printed objects. Imagine a prosthetic limb with embedded sensors or a phone case with built-in cooling channels. This could revolutionize various fields, from medical implants to consumer electronics. Multi-material printing could play a crucial role in promoting sustainability and resource efficiency. By using only the necessary materials in specific areas of a printed object, it could potentially reduce waste and optimize material usage.
Quality Assurance in Material Selection
Quality is at the forefront of our additive manufacturing services. Quickparts ensures rigorous quality assurance in material selection, guaranteeing that every component meets the highest performance, durability, and precision standards.
