The UK-based Additive Manufacturing company 3DPRINTUK underlines the difference between good and bad production bureau in 3D printing.
The company is a low-volume producer of 3D printed parts using powder bed fusion (PBF) 3D printing systems and polymer materials.
3DPRINTUK attributes this surge in 3D printing bureau and its applications to different sectors to the evolving nature of the AM industry. Now, the industry has moved onto full-scale production from prototyping courtesy of the advancements in new 3D printers and materials which make production of 3D printed parts cost-effective and viable.
Although most 3D printing bureau positions themselves as customizable and efficient production solutions, there’s a way to differentiate the good from the bad.
According to 3D printing service provider, 3DPRINTUK the difference lies in how they handle 3D printed parts over the range of 3D printers available.
The CEO of 3DPRINTUK, Nick Allen said: “The capability to handle higher volumes of parts for production is an unmistakable trait of top-tier AM bureaux. Rather than merely having a multitude of machines, these bureaux prioritize both quantity and quality. It’s about harnessing the power of advanced machinery and technologies to undertake large-scale projects, ensuring precision and speed are never compromised. Thus, they can weave seamlessly between intricate custom jobs, batch production and extended production runs”.
Allen further explained how it depends on the advanced nature of the 3D printer and the materials as “experience remains irreplaceable”.
“The most revered AM bureau wear their years of experience like a badge of honour. With each project, they accumulate insights into materials, processes, and potential challenges. This repository of knowledge doesn’t just aid in flawless execution but also enables them to pre-empt challenges, offering proactive solutions. Moreover, their long-standing presence often means they have robust partnerships with material suppliers and other industry stakeholders, an element that subtly but significantly influences the end products quality“, said 3DPRINTUK CEO.
3DPRINTUK tries to be a good AM bureau with a range of technical experts in the team who update themselves according to the needs of the AM industry including material science understanding and mastering post-processing techniques along with quality assurance protocols.
According to 3DPRINTUK, a good 3D printing bureau ensures quality control throughout the process, not just at the final checkpoint. It should start with a design assessment and followed by post-production inspections.
This ensures that the 3D printing bureau is optimized to deliver cost-effective, efficient and quality end products.
For this, the AM bureau needs vertical integration where the 3D printing service provider manages and controls each step of the production process in-house, offering customers the benefits of seamless communication, reduced lead times, consistent quality, and a streamlined experience, eliminating the complexities and inconsistencies that might arise when coordinating with multiple vendors.
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