Manufacturers are proof positive that no one ever outgrows their love of toys. Only now, instead of Transformers and LEGO bricks, we get giddy over shiny CNC machines and exotic materials. 

The latest “toy” to join our precision machine shop adds a new, in-house capability to our service lineup: 3D printing.

That’s right! After years of outsourcing our additive manufacturing needs, we finally acquired a 3D printer of our very own. Keep reading to discover how customers are already leveraging our 3D printing technology for rapid prototyping services, reverse engineering, and custom parts.

The Advantages of 3D Printing

For the right projects, 3D printing offers clear advantages over machining and other manufacturing processes: 

• Proof of concept validation. 3D printing serves as a practical way to conduct proof-of-concept testing before committing to a final design and moving forward with machining. This technology allows us to verify a part's design, fit, and function quickly and cost-effectively—which is especially important for complex parts.

• Flexibility in material strength and weight. With 3D printing, we can easily increase or decrease the weight and strength of a part. This capability is incredibly valuable when weight and strength are critical factors (such as with the bicycle shock project we’ll discuss in a minute).

• Overnight production. When it comes to providing rapid prototyping services, 3D printing delivers by enabling a fast and agile process. Because 3D printing is an independent operation, we can set our printer to work overnight while we monitor the job remotely. We can then test parts immediately, iterate as needed, and get customers new parts quickly.

• Cost-effective for single parts and small batches. Beyond rapid prototyping, 3D printing is a fast and inexpensive way to produce small batches of parts or single one-off items. Offering in-house 3D printing services makes it easier for us to fulfill unique customer requests or create specialized components while keeping costs low. 

3D Printing and Rapid Prototyping Services

We’re currently helping a customer design and develop a cap extender for bicycle shocks. His goal is to maximize the total volume within the shock, which means making the extender as large as possible. The catch: it can’t be so big that it rubs on the down tube of the bicycle frame.

We could machine a prototype, but between the time-intensive setup and the cost of material, machining is far from the best solution. The fastest and most cost-effective way to test our customer’s design and make revisions is with 3D printing. 

By 3D printing the cap extender prototype, we can iterate quickly and finalize the part’s dimensions before bringing it to the CNC floor.

The perks of 3D printed prototypes

• Get your prototypes faster

• Reduce labor costs

• Minimize material waste

• Reduce custom manufacturing costs

3D Printing and Reverse Engineering

We recently revealed an ongoing project for a customer who restores vintage Coca-Cola machines. Our role is to reverse engineer, redesign, and replicate the vending machine’s coin slot piece for aesthetic appeal, historical accuracy, and cost-efficient machining. 

The job has involved extensive CAD services with multiple design revisions as we identify the best machining solutions for meeting our customer’s requirements. But with every revision aimed at improving machinability, we also need to re-verify the part’s fit. That’s where 3D printing comes in. 

Why we 3D print some reverse engineered parts

3D printing a test part requires less labor and material than machining. These efficiencies allow us to make a test part after each design revision and verify the part’s fit within the assembly. If we had to machine each test part, the development process would take significantly longer and cost much more.

3D Printing and Custom Manufacturing

Now that we’ve brought additive manufacturing in-house, we’re excited to begin fulfilling even more orders for 3D printed parts!

One customer has leveraged our 3D printing capabilities for small, custom baskets that their end-of-arm tools carry along a conveyor belt. Another has launched a quarterly order for simple, low-volume 3D printed parts.

Not every part is a good candidate for 3D printing, of course. But in the right scenarios, we can get parts printed quickly, accurately, and cost-effectively. If you need help revising your part’s design or modifying a previously machined part for 3D printing, our CAD services team can assist you.

Get 3D Printed Prototypes and Parts at Accurate CNC

Our precision machine shop is ready to deliver top-quality 3D printed prototypes, presentation models, and low-volume production runs. If you’ve considered acquiring a 3D printer for your engineering team or workshop, save your money and trust the Accurate CNC team with your 3D printing jobs. 

Instead, buy those vintage Transformers and hard-to-find LEGO sets you’ve been eyeing. We won’t tell a soul.

Get a quote from Accurate CNC Services. We can’t wait to work with you!