Additive Manufacturing Outlook for the New Year

What 3D printing process is best for your industry? Whether you are designing a huge tooling mold or need to do a run of hundreds of fingernail sized parts, we can print it. It’s a new year and our team and 3D Composites wanted to share with you our thoughts on which of our additive manufacturing processes we can provide for you in 2023.

FDM is still on top for Aerospace
The 3D printing market is growing at an amazing rate, with new technologies and processes continually expanding what can be done for manufacturing. However, it takes time for these processes and materials to meet the test requirements that are necessary for aerospace industry certifications. The FDM printing process has maintained its position because of the high-grade thermoplastic materials options that can meet the requirements of common aerospace standards such as flammability, strength, and durability.

FDM is also a great source for concept modelling and tooling. If you know your project will be printed in FDM you can work from a highly accurate prototype for relatively low costs. Heat resistant materials like Ultem 1010 can withstand thermoforming and autoclaving, making low cost tooling for short production runs accessible to smaller development teams. FDM manufactured parts can also span a greater surface area than other additive manufacturing process because it can keep complex geometries on a small scale while also being able to withstand bonding of oversized builds. Last year 3DC printed over 20,000 FDM aerospace parts for our customers and 2023 will see even more.

High-volume Production & Prototyping with SAF
For us, end use parts don’t stop at aerospace, however. This year our reach has expanded to providing higher volume production runs that will benefit any industry. The selective absorption fusion (SAF) process allows for small part production at a higher rate than previously available to us, yielding repeat parts quickly while still leaving room for customized prototypes. The surface finish of SAF parts can be more aesthetically pleasing than FDM parts, and while Ultem 9085 is still the leader for fly-away parts and Ultem 1010 for high-tempurature tooling, SAF PA12’s mechanical properties give it the rigidity and thermal control for repeatable output. We have found that customers who print items such as medical accessories and industrial caps and fittings have made the switch to SAF because they can get consistent quality at a reduced rate.

We can help you begin
Even as the technology continues to develop, the future of 3D printing and additive manufacturing still offers comparatively sustainable practices and lower costs. Efficient processes and customized solutions can give you the most out of your design. Contact us for more information on what 3D printing processes would be best for your project.

Kim Brooks-Mathieson

Precise Quality with Kim Brooks-Mathieson

Exploring Quality & Service with the Women of 3DC

For 3D Composites “precise quality” means taking the time to ensure that each part not only passes the quality inspections guided by industry standards, but also is something the we can be proud of.

Quality Manager Kim Brooks-Mathieson has worked in quality control for 25 years and now she is bringing her expertise to 3DC. Kim has worked at 3DC since April of 2016 writing procedures to regulate production and inspecting parts to certify that they are up to the standards of our customers’ expectations.

Since her start in the industry in 1991, Kim has seen a lot of change in her field. “In the quality department there were usually 2 women and the rest were men. I think that women have come a long way in the aerospace industry…when I go out and network I see a lot of women now, as opposed to 25 years ago when I started, I was one of the only (in the Snohomish county area) woman in quality at the time.”

When I asked Kim about working for a company that is predominantly women she said, “I love it, I think we get a lot accomplished. And I like that fact that age wise there is a mixture of us… it’s nice to see the diversity.”

She is currently working on updating the company to meet the new AS9100 Rev D certification standards for 2018. “My day is taken up with audits and writing procedures. By staying on top of up and coming stuff, keeping us on track quality wise – our documents, keeping on top of paperwork, that’s how I help to ensure our quality and service.”

“I’m proud of what we do, I’m proud of what we send out. If I can help it we’ll always aim for the best in quality parts.”

Click here to learn more about the different services offered by 3D Composites and check back next month to learn more about quality and service with the women of 3DC.

Women working int he 50's

Exploring Quality & Service with the Women of 3DC

Since its establishment in 2013, 3D Composites has given a spotlight to both the precise quality of our product and the outstanding customer service that our company provides. In the following weeks we’ll take a look at how the women of 3DC hold the essential roles of establishing and maintaining these traits.

While women only make up 29% of the United States manufacturing industry and 15% of aerospace manufacturing¹, 3D Composites holds a majority of female staff, making up about 72% of 3DC’s population.

By taking a look at the women of our company we’ll see the beginnings of 3D Composites, how it has grown into a thriving aerospace supplier, and the backgrounds of those who know what it takes to create a business that holds up the standards of quality and service.

Click here to learn more about 3D Composites and make sure to check back to stay updated on our news and stories.

¹ Demographic percentages taken from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Reports: Women in the labor force: a databook, November 2017 https://www.bls.gov/opub/reports/womens-databook/2017/home.htm