Challenge:

John needs to design a new tool for a revision to an existing part. John’s problem: No CAD file and incomplete dimensions for the existing drawing; he only has the existing part.

Challenge:

Prototypes are required for product testing and 3D printed parts may not be adequate. In some requirements, prototypes must be made from the production material, in this case glass filled nylon. Part geometry must be the same as the final production parts so that the test results are valid. Actual production material for prototype testing is needed before commitment to high volume injection molds.

Somos had completed a one-year aging test of Somos material used at Sicam, the Somos XC 11122 and the Somos Next.

This month a patient received a 3D printed implant that replaced 75% of his skull. This is a first of its kind procedure, recently approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

For the majority of our customers the prototyping phase is only the beginning of the journey towards production.  A word of caution if you are using aluminum tooling (soft tooling) for your prototypes then the journey starts anew once you head into the development of “hard tooling”.  However, if you had used SICAM’s Bridge Tooling the move towards production is a smooth transition.