Wax models grease the decision making process
Precision injection moulded component manufacturer, Patterson & Rothwell
is using a Thermojet solid object printer from 3D Systems to produce wax
models for design validation. By providing models at an early stage, P&R
says projects are much faster to get off the ground - board level
decision makers respond more positively to models than 2D drawings! Using
the Thermojet output as a visualisation tool also gives users the chance
to appraise their designs prior to tooling production. In this way,
costly modifications to tooling can be avoided. Before it acquired the
Thermojet machine, P&R either obtained stereolithography models from an
outside supplier or it offered prototype tooling, from which it could
produce a small quantity of components for test and review - both
time-consuming and costly processes. Thermojet models, on the other hand,
are much faster and more cost-effective to produce, says the company.
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