3D Systems' visual and functional prototyping service delivers a unique combination of 3D printing and materials technologies, traditional subtractive production processes, engineering expertise, and artistic finishing skills near you to make your designs come to life early in the product development stage.
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Accelerating the Design Process
Whatever you are developing and producing – we are able to supply an appearance model with identical ‘look-and-feel’ characteristics and functions to your final production part.
Our team of experts and artisans select from a wide range of additive and subtractive technologies, combined with craftsmanship precision and a range of finishing options to make your design come to life.
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Highly realistic models can be used for aesthetic review, trade shows, presentations, as well as functional testing.
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Wide Range of Production and Finishing Processes
With a wide variety of technologies and broad range of materials and finishing options, we make your designs come to life early in the product development process:
- Plastic additive manufacturing (stereolithography (SLA), selective laser sintering (SLS), Figure 4)
- Metal additive manufacturing (DMP)
- CNC machining
- Toolmaking
- Sheet metal processing
- Assembly (with hinges, closures, etc.)
- Finishing
- A wide range of surface treatment options
- Integration of electronics and mechatronics including programming
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Scaled appearance model for a Philips Ingenia 1.5T scanner used a combination of technologies and precise finishing.
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Identical Look-and-Feel Models
There are virtually no limits (except those of physics) in mimicking the quality and aesthetics of the real product. This is true for details like radius, soft edges, flashes, gaps and graphics. It is also true for the ‘look-and-feel’ of the future product. We are experts in surface treatments like painting, chroming, and foiling. In our paint mixing room, we are able to match colors exactly to any reference supplied by our customers.
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There are virtually no limits (except those of physics) in mimicking the quality and aesthetics of the real product.
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Expertise and Experience
Over more than thirty years, we have gained comprehensive experience in producing appearance models for many brands.
Some current examples include:
- Mobile phones for internal design reviews / sign-offs
- Models of complex offshore equipment for trade fairs
- Refrigerators with hinges & lighting
- Complete car interiors with cockpit, seating, doors etc
- Fully functional clock radios
- Headphones and hearing aids
- Premium washbasins
- Taps, valves and fittings for washbasins
- 1:5 models of computer tomographs and MRT systems
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Materials
Our extensive and versatile portfolio of 3D printing materials addresses the widest range of applications and performance characteristics in additive manufacturing, with plastic, elastomer, composite, wax, metal, bio-compatible and more material types.
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Software
Our engineering software enables the creation of 3D data from scans, design and using that data in manufacturing, 3D printing and 3D inspection of production parts.
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3D Printers
As the originator of 3D printing, 3D Systems offers a wide range of 3D printing technologies -- from metal to plastics, and from entry-level to production systems.