Although rapid prototyping 3D printing isn’t new, some businesses still don’t take advantage of it. Not only does this technique produce stellar results, but it’s also versatile and cost-effective. That opens the door of opportunity for businesses of all types. As an affordable way to achieve production-quality models, it’s a perfect solution for startups and smaller businesses. Regardless of your industry or the size of your company, you can likely benefit from finding a partner among the best 3D printing companies in Michigan.

3D Printing Options

Companies that provide rapid prototyping 3D printing services typically offer a range of fabrication approaches. Each of these options brings a range of materials, which allows you to replicate your intended production material. The various 3D printing options also provide differences in timing, cost, and design accuracy.This allows your service provider to guide you to the approach that best meets your needs.

The following is a summary of some of the most common rapid prototyping approaches

1. Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)- For plastic prototypes and products, FDM is the approach most people know about. A plastic filament gets extruded layer by layer as it builds a part on a platform. Businesses that depend on 3D printing companies in Michigan like this technique because it’s fast, effective, and affordable.

2. Multi Jet Fusion- This type of rapid prototyping 3D printing uses a variety of inkjets to fuse agents to a nylon powder bed. Due to the way this technique works, it improves surface finish and yields more consistent mechanical properties compared to some of the other techniques.

3. Polyjet- This is another common technique for plastic prototypes and products. It uses jets to deposit a liquid polymer onto the printer bed, building the part layer-by-layer. This approach allows the addition of variations in color. It is also useful for making over-molded and elastomeric prototypes, as different materials can be deposited in the same build.

4. Stereolithography (SLA)- This 3D printing process was one of the originals used for industrial applications. It produces prototypes and finished products that look and function well. With careful planning of the build orientation, a fabricator can achieve a smooth surface, minute details, and tight tolerances.

5. Digital Light Processing- The Digital Light Processing type of 3D printing prototype service has some similarities with the SLA method. The main difference is that this technology uses a digital light projector screen, which makes
it possible to build the entire part, layer by layer, at once rather than having to trace the entire layer.

6. Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)- This, too, is an excellent type of 3D printing prototype service. Fabricators rely on this technique to make thermoplastic prototypes and products. The material makes parts that are very strong, but typically require some finishing to achieve a smooth surface. To create numerous parts that become part of a large structure, this is the preferred method.

7. Direct Metal Laser Sintering- Many companies that provide rapid prototyping 3D printing services rely on this when metal is the desired material. It’s an ideal option to make assemblies that require single or multiple parts with hollowed-out features.

One of the Most Respected 3D Printing Companies in Michigan

For precision prototypes and finished products, it’s important to work with a respected company. Globaltech Ventures specializes in rapid prototyping 3D printing and more. Call us today.