Brightop offers FDM, SLA, SLS and CNC prototyping services to satisfy different customers' needs in lead time, proper product representation, and cost. 


 

FDM Prototyping

FDM standards for Fused Deposition Modeling. FDM builds a 3D object by extruding molten plastic that hardens layer-by-layer. FDM utilizes ABS or polycarbonate as the material; therefore, it creates functional prototypes. However, since the FDM prototypes are not created under the conditions like injection moldings and special formulations are used for FDM plastic materials, the prototypes made with FDM technology has about 60% to 80% of the physical strength of the corresponding injection molded products. 

 

SLS Prototyping

SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) uses a laser beam to selectively fuse
powder materials into a solid object. Materials for SLS include nylon,
thermal plastic elastomers, and even metals. These materials, together with
SLS's high accuracy, allow SLS to produce high quality functional prototypes
and even handle small quantity productions. Parts are built upon a platform
which sits just below the surface in a bin of the heat-fusable powder. A laser
traces the pattern of the first layer, sintering it together. The platform is
lowered by the height of the next layer and powder is reapplied. This process
continues until the part is complete. Excess powder in each layer helps to
support the part during the build. 



 

SLA Prototyping

SLA stands for Stereolithography which is one of the most widely used rapid prototyping technology. Stereolithography creates a 3D objects by applying laser beam to thin layers of liquid photo curable resin. Special resin materials with limited physical properties have to be used with this technology, which limits the application of the prototypes to be used as functional models. SLA produces prototypes with high dimensional accuracy. The typical tolerance is 0.005 inch for the 1st inch and 0.002 inch for most features.

 

CNC Prototyping


While prototyping methods like FDM, SLA, and SLS offer advantages such as short lead time, they have their limitations. The biggest disadvantage is the limited choices of the materials. SLA uses special light sensitive resins to simulate the real plastics. However, this simulation is only on selective physical properties under restricted temperature conditions. FDM and SLS use plastic materials such as ABS, polycarbonate, and PA. However, the materials used in FDM and SLS are specially formulated for these technologies and cannot fully represent various grades and/or types of ABS, polycarbonate, and PA that are used for production. CNC prototyping uses modern computer controlled machining to cut plastic material stocks to the shape of the design; thus, allows the prototypes to be made of almost identical material in the real product. CNC prototyping provides the closest representations of real molded products.