Full support, from design to production of a smoothly executed and quality 3D printing process.Our 3D printers translate initial ideas or vague designs into finished products in rigid plastics, flexible TPU, metals and composites.
Industrial 3D printing is done quickly and flexibly at 3iD.The runs are scalable, from a single prototype to a series comprising thousands of pieces. The 3D printed pieces are easily and quickly adaptable in terms of design. That design phase is relatively low-key anyway. 3D printing has several other advantages: it is a price-stable and sustainable process. A local 3D printing partner such as 3iD also provides an even smaller carbon footprint.
Industrial 3D printing offers the opportunity to use “generative design. Here it is the computer that - based on and in function of certain criteria - proposes the most efficient design. Functionality prevails, and the same result is often created with less material.
It is perfectly possible to 3D print one unique piece. Prototype development is at the heart of 3D printer invention and development. At 3iD, we work with a minimum invoice because the design, preparation and a printing phase now take energy and time, but for a prototype, 3D printing as a method almost always remains the cheapest solution. Depending on the print run, it becomes more cost-effective, so a minimum number helps to lower the overall cost.
Absolutely. 3D printing is already challenging many “evidences. Many machine parts and designs are the result of what was once possible. Practical, feasible and logical according to the common ideas of the time. Industrial 3D printing offers us the opportunity to use “generative design. Here it is the computer software that - based on and in function of certain criteria - proposes the most efficient design. Functionality prevails, and the same result is often created with less material.
At 3iD, we primarily use industrial MJF 3D printers. Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) is a 3D printing technique in which an agent and heat sinter powder layer by layer to form an object. 'Sintering' is the process by which powdered material is compressed, heated and turned into a solid mass. Other common 3D printing techniques include Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) or Selective Laser Sintering (SLS).
Serial runs of 8,000 to 10,000 pieces are perfectly possible and in many cases remain the cost-effective choice. The flexibility, the speed and the way in which it is very easy to make small adjustments to the design are advantages that, in combination with the possible run numbers, are absolute assets.
Yes and no. Industrial 3D printing is done by “building” or “constructing” the 3D result in a 3D printer. Because that 3D printer has certain standardized dimensions, one can speak of maximum external limits. In practice, however, 'too big' pieces are designed to form one very strong whole via a dovetail joint or with a mortise-and-tenon system. In fact, we have yet to encounter the first design that we cannot print.
No. Digital design allows anything, and the 3D printer follows the desired result down to a tenth of a millimeter. Hollow, full, with channels, drill holes and gears, square or round and everything in between, with moving parts integrated ... the complexity of the shape is not even a factor in the cost, just because of the smooth, digital design process. 3D printing eliminates the need for any form post-treatment such as turning, milling or machining.
No. Although each printed piece has the same matte gray base color (from Ertalon® or TPU) when it leaves the 3D printer, anything can be done afterwards. Polishing (black, glossy) is even done immediately if desired. Color and lacquer coatings require an extra step, but are perfectly possible. 3D printing makes any form finishing such as turning, milling or machining unnecessary.
During 3D printing, a digitally designed object is built up (powder) layer by (powder) layer from plastic. This is done in a 3D printer, with no downtime, no channels and no form finishing. Injection molding is melting and pushing plastic pellets under pressure through a specially designed mold. Channels and gripping points do occur here, and the initial loss of raw material is always greater. The injection molding process is also much slower and less flexible.
3D printing can be done quickly. You don't develop a mold, which keeps costs down. The digital design has no limitations, and adjustments to the design happen smoothly and digitally at every stage. All shapes are possible. 3D printing is a local and low-transportation manufacturing process. At 3iD, we make one prototype or a series of 10,000 pieces. A recent investment in our own batteries ensures maximum utilization of solar energy day and night. It makes 3iD a sustainable manufacturing partner.
The price per printed item depends on a number of factors. The complexity of the design is not one of them. The cost of materials is obviously important, as is the efficiency with which we organize the printing process. The larger the print run, the cheaper something becomes per piece, although different series for different customers can be printed together - during one session. At 3iD, we have a minimum invoice of 50 euros. For prototypes, 3D printing is always the cost-effective solution, and this is true in many sectors and for many applications up to runs running into the thousands.
Industrial 3D printing is done by building up or “building” individual pieces. In this process, the raw material is fed into the printer layer by layer and heated. The cycle the 3D printer goes through takes sixteen hours. This is followed by a necessary cooling period, after which the pieces are completely (ground) dusted. On the third working day, an order is standard ready to be picked up or shipped.
There are different materials and various 3D printing processes. Our industrial 3D printers use polyamide or polyurethane powder as a raw material to build pieces. PA 12 (polyamide 12) and PA 11 (polyamide 11) are thermoplastic polymers from the polyamides. They are strong nylons that combine their toughness with flexibility. In powder form, the plastic produces highly detailed parts. TPU is an abbreviation for the flexible and shock-absorbing “Thermoplastic Polyurethane.
3D printing is done using a sustainable process. The energy for the 3D printers and the material used are the two major challenges. At 3iD, almost the entire printing process runs on solar energy. Even at night, thanks to a recent investment in batteries. The residual heat from the 3D printing process heats the room directly.
The plastic powder that is effectively converted into a printed object during the printing process totals “only” 20% of the total quantity deployed. The remaining 80% is recovered - supplemented with new material - without loss of quality in a subsequent 3D print. No channels or post-processing is involved, so nothing is lost.
3iD is located in Torhout. The production process is local, transport is limited and each piece is 100% Belgian. These are all elements that contribute to a low ecological footprint.
Actually, yes. Up to and including houses. For optimal results, it is good to keep in mind the end purpose of an item. 3iD prints items and parts that have a specific task in industrial applications or machines, but also (sports) shoe soles and housings for electrical appliances are perfectly possible. The first generation of engineers and product developers for whom 3D printing is more and more an “obvious fact,” will make the applications even more widespread in the coming decades.
