Ultimate 3d-Changing how we price lower quantity part runs!
At Ultimate 3D we excel at large production runs. As a result, we compete with injection molding prices when you amortize the tooling into the mix.
We have come to realize that our pricing structure is inhibitive to the onesie, twosie quantities. Hence, we have restructured how we price your parts.
That said, if you have sent us parts to quote for small quantity runs and prototypes and found our price to be slightly too high, give us another shot at your projects!
With 1 week or less lead times, you have your parts in hand very fast. Put us to the test and see why we are an industry leader when it comes to customer service and competitive pricing.
Email us your files, tell us how many parts you want pricing for and which material you prefer. Include your contact info so we can give you a call to discuss how we can best serve your project needs!
Giving you something to Dance about!
Our mission is to provide 3D printing customers with extraordinary products and services from a team that loves doing their job. We want people to be excited about 3D printing with us.
WHAT WE DO
Rapid Prototyping: Once your CAD file is ready, we will usually print your parts in 1 week or less.
(Higher volume orders may require extra time).
We specialize in high quantity production parts and are very competitive with injection molding on lower volumes. Consequently, it is possible to make thousands a part faster and lower priced than injection molding.
We print parts that are impossible to injection mold.
We gladly review all models for printability and cost effectiveness and give constructive feedback for your benefit.
Ultimate 3D now Finishing 3D Printed Parts
Finishing 3D Printed Parts
We have teamed up with a world class Painter/Finisher to help bring your prototype and production parts to life. Finishing 3D printed price.
We offer a full spectrum of colors, once the color is decided you can chose a finish from Flat to Full Gloss finishes.
Your parts are sanded smooth, then filler primer is applied. At this point the parts are wet sanded. Then the color of choice is sprayed on. Once the color is on, a clear coat is applied in the desired finish (Flat to Full Gloss).
If you have a proof-of-concept project that you need in a hurry, we can print the parts in a week. They painted in a matter of days and shipped to you overnight!
The project below was printed in our SLS machines using Nylon 12 material. The parts also received 2mm heat staked threaded inserts for assembly purposes.
Our mission is to provide 3D printing customers with extraordinary products and services from a team that loves doing their job. We want people to be excited about 3D printing with us.
WHAT WE DO
It is called “rapid prototyping” for a good reason. Once your CAD file ready, we will usually print your parts within three to four days – faster if necessary.
(Higher volume orders may require extra time).
We specialize in high quantity production parts and are very competitive with injection molding on lower volumes. It is possible to make thousands of one part faster and lower priced than injection molding when you amortize the cost of tooling into the part cost in many cases.
We can print parts that cannot be injection molded, due to under-cuts, hollows, holes on an angle and complex geometries.
We gladly review all models for printability and cost effectiveness and give constructive feedback for your benefit.
Ultimate 3D Open House
A little over a year ago we became Ultimate 3D LLC, in celebration we want to throw a party and you are invited!
Please RSVP at info@ult3d.hookdm.net so we know how many to plan for.
Many have already committed, but we don"t want anyone left out! We will have locally grown grass fed hamburger and all the fixin"s and a tour of the facility!
Meet the crew: Robin and Patty, Tom and Tammy, Mike and Julie.
Our Mascot online casino will be here too!
Here are the details!
Everyone is welcome to show up anytime after 11:30 with lunch provided at noon. You will see where and how your parts are created, we may even have a build scheduled to change out during that time so you can see what a fun mess this process is.
For those that ride and want to explore some really cool and obscure roads west of Portland, Robin, Mike & Tom will lead a 2-3 hour ride. We will leave the shop at 8:30 am returning between 11:00 - 11:30. So be here at by 8:00 or soon after so we can go over some of the particulars of the ride.
What to bring: your appetite and questions and if you ride, bring your motorcycle.
Please RSVP info@ult3d.hookdm.net so we know how many to prepare for and let us know if you plan to be here for the ride.
Address: 5575 SE Alexander St, Hillsboro, OR 97123 (click to map it)
If you have a project that requires 3D Printing or if you are not sure if your project can be 3D printed, give us a call 503-848-8227 we will gladly discuss your project and help point you in the right direction. Prior to calling email your models to quote@ult3d.hookdm.net so we can look at them while we talk!
We are friendly and genuinely want to help!
Reaching New Heights: 3D Printing in Aerospace & Why it's Catching On
Today, 3D printing is streamlining processes in companies of all sizes, with particular prominence in the automotive, aerospace, medical, and defense sectors. In this post we will focus on 3D printing in aerospace, including how and why the technology has gained so much traction in the sector.
Why doesn’t aerospace just stick to traditional manufacturing of its components? For one, 3D printing reduces material waste and fuel emissions, so that’s a big plus especially in an age when everyone wants to build smarter. In addition, additive manufacturing reduces lead times and streamlines production cycles.
3D Printed Replacement Parts
Let’s dive into some examples. During the lifetime of an aircraft, it’s likely that parts will need to be replaced. Traditionally, aircraft manufacturers keep an inventory of parts to meet demand for replacements. However, companies in need of replacement parts may not want to wait as long as it typically takes for them to arrive, so they keep an inventory in-house, solving one problem but sometimes creating a new challenge in the form of storing and managing all of those parts—before they even need them. In this scenario, 3D printing can reduce the time it takes to get replacement parts, without having to keep extra inventory on hand.
As of March 2015, Boeing has already installed more than 20,000 plastic 3D printed parts in its airplanes. To give just one example, selective laser sintering has been used to create about 150 separate parts for the forward fuselage of Boeing’s F/A-18 Super Hornet.
Boeing proactively incorporates 3D printed parts into many of its vehicles, so much that the company is now trying to patent a whole system for 3D printed replacement aircraft parts, including everything from a parts library and management system to 3D printing itself. The proposed system is simply titled, “Three Dimensional Printing of Parts.”
Original aerospace components made with additive manufacturing
Over the years, we’ve seen numerous examples of 3D printed aerospace parts, and some major aerospace companies have taken the technology into their own hands and implemented in-house 3D printing facilities. GE has built an additive manufacturing facility to make 3D printed nozzles for advanced LEAP jet engines.
Another big hitter, Rolls-Royce plans to flight test the largest 3D printed aircraft engine component (for the Trent XWB-97 engine). This titanium component, 1.5 meters in diameter and half a meter thick, is 3D printed using Arcam’s electron beam melting technology, which makes dense components from metal powder.
Rocket engines & the first flight-qualified ALM component
Aerojet Rocketdyne, a Sacramento, California-based manufacturer, has recently announced test firings of 3D printed rocket engine parts. Its goal is to have a certified AR1 engine (an American-made thrust-class liquid oxygen/kerosene booster engine) in production by 2019.
Meanwhile, UK defense manufacturer AirBus Defence and Space spent two years on R&D for space-qualified satellite components. 3D printing with an aluminum alloy, AirBus created a structural bracket for Eurostar E3000 telecommunications satellites. The bracket mounts telemetry and telecommand antennas on the satellites. Made with traditional manufacturing, the original design is composed of four separate parts and 44 rivets, while the new 3D printed bracket, qualified to launch with the next E3000 satellite, is 40% stiffer and 35% lighter. AirBus is now considering 3D printing a variety of other aerospace parts and secondary structures.
While end-use 3D printing for aircraft is in full swing for some manufacturers, among other aerospace companies, additive manufacturing is simply being used to save time and money on prototyping before reaching the desired future scalability. By significantly reducing production time, additive manufacturing opens up a whole new range of possibilities for countless firms. According to Alan Newby, Rolls-Royce chief engineer for future programs and technology, “Shortening the manufacturing time by almost a third gives us more time to design, which is always a benefit. We are also able to produce designs that we wouldn’t otherwise be able to do.”
As the aerospace sector evolves to integrate with additive manufacturing technology, it seems that even the sky isn’t the limit. We look forward to seeing how manufacturers continue to adopt 3D printing in aerospace, in turn changing the way we approach design and explore the world.
Seven Reasons Businesses Prefer Using 3D Printing for Production
You've probably heard. Many companies have switched over from traditional manufacturing, thrilled about the way 3D printing has streamlined their production processes. But those who are still warming up to 3D printing may have their reservations about how it can be used for end-use parts. Are the materials strong enough to create a durable part? Will the parts look professional? Is it really cost-effective? These are good questions to ask since quality and price are central to purchasing decisions.
Today, additive manufacturing, or 3D printing, is an excellent alternative to traditional manufacturing in a variety of situations. You can get durable, professionally finished parts, simplify the design process, gain better control of your inventory, and save a lot of money.
1. Rapid turnaround
Traditional manufacturing is a time-intensive process. Simple molds can often be completed in a few weeks, while more complex molds tend to take several months. On top of that, if you change your design, you have to wait out the tooling process again, which makes it hard to operate flexibly. In a sense, having 3D printing at your service makes you lighter on your feet and quicker to pivot, enabling you to respond to consumer demand, unforeseen market challenges, and technological developments.
2. Comparatively low costs
While 3D printing can absolutely cut costs compared to traditional manufacturing, it’s important to understand how 3D printing saves you money, and that it isn’t always more affordable. It really depends on your needs. The primary ways that you save money with 3D printing are through circumventing tooling costs—making product development significantly more affordable and low volume production a viable option. Depending on the functional use of your product, you may also save money on materials.
In addition, if you end up needing to adjust your product, traditional manufacturing requires that you pay expensive injection molding costs all over again. Using 3D printing for production, you don’t pay to change your product—except for any cost associated with creating a new CAD model of course. You pay for volume, not complexity or variety.
3. Production-grade materials
Obviously, 3D printing would be no good for end-use parts if the materials couldn't withstand normal use and even extreme conditions like high temperatures. That's what makes thermoplastics like nylon so great. Nylon is one of the most popular printing materials for production-level parts because it's strong, flexible, and highly tolerant to heat. You can also use different composites to achieve other product characteristics. For example, carbon-fiber and glass-filled nylon composites are popular among products built with SLS.
4. Highly controlled inventory
Predicting and managing inventory is a major task for any company. Excess inventory can absorb valuable space and capital, while lacking the proper inventory can cost sales and credibility. This is where 3D printing becomes extremely helpful, allowing businesses to control their inventory like never before. 3D printing allows suppliers in numerous industries to order additional parts very quickly, and in specific numbers. In addition to rapid manufacturing and custom order quantities, 3D printing enables companies to redesign or change their parts spontaneously, based on market needs.
5. Flexible volume
Most of the time, in order to have tooling done for your product, companies set specific volume requirements before they will make your molds. And it makes sense. Every business sector has to determine how to maintain their desired profitability based on their own technology and labor. The setback for designers and innovators is that they’re sometimes required to order a significantly higher volume of product than they need. They will certainly hope to sell all that product to make it worth the initial cost.
6. Simple or no assembly
Another reason business prefer to use 3D printing for production is that it often eliminates or reduces the need for assembly. Selective laser sintering (SLS) is a 3D printing method that prints objects in powder, creating a reliable support structure that enables parts to be built “inside of each other” without touching. You can imagine how this could eliminate the need for printing and assembling separate parts, instead allowing for the printing of functional products. Some fun and impressive examples include the 3D-printed cube with 28 working gears, and the fully assembled wind-up car, both printed using selective laser sintering and requiring no assembly at all. Whether you escape assembly altogether or simply create stronger designs with fewer pieces, designing for 3D printing is unique and opens up a world of experimentation and new possibilities in product development.
7. Domestic Production
People love to buy local products. If your product is affordable and made in the USA, this can help create brand loyalty and also give you better communication during the production process. Manufacturing is a totally different game when you can do it yourself or call up your manufacturer with questions and insights.
As you can see, 3D printing has created some amazing possibilities in the realm of manufacturing, making it an excellent alternative not only for prototypes but also for final production. If you have any questions about the technology or if 3D printing is right for your project, call us up and we’ll gladly give you a free consultation.
Happy printing,
3D Printing with Nylon: Why we love it, and you should too
As many of you may already know, nylon is a thermoplastic. If you're 3D printing with nylon materials, you're either using a powder that hardens into durable plastic when melted by a laser, or you're using a plastic filament that's extruded through a nozzle. Nylon has unique properties that make it a preferable material to print with in many cases.
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Why should you print with nylon?
Compared to other common 3D printing materials, nylon has quite a few advantages, which we will discuss in this post. Whether you’re considering printing your own products, or you want to order products from a third party, this should give you an introductory understanding of 3D printing with nylon.
Nylon is a thermoplastic, which allows it to be reused—whether printing via FDM or SLS. In an FDM context, the plastic can be melted and re-melted. However, the properties will change with heat and begin to break down. Most of the excess powder from SLS can be reused. Reusing nylon in the context of selective laser sintering means recycling the unaffected powder and mixing it proportionately with virgin powder to ensure that the materials continually perform their best during the build process.
We’ve made a basic list of the benefits of nylon in 3D printing. If you have any questions about these benefits or other properties of nylon, feel free to call or email us with your questions.
Benefits of 3D printing with nylon:
- 3D printing with nylon makes a much stronger part, if your other variables are correct.
- You’ll get better pliability with nylon, which can make for a more functional part.
- Typical nylon parts can be drilled, tapped, and tumbled without risking breaking or scratching the parts (unless they have incredibly thin details or appendages, in which case you want to handle parts carefully). This allows you to explore different finishing and assembly options with a low risk of breaking or damaging parts.
- Nylon is lightweight compared to many other traditional materials.
- Nylon is relatively absorbent, so dying parts printed with nylon works very well because a scratch won’t ruin the exterior. However, this also means if you print something like a coffee cup in nylon, it can end up stained unless you give it a protective finish.
- Nylon can be reused for 3D printing, which looks different depending on the type of 3D printing you’re doing.
Printing with nylon will be different depending on the method—be it selective laser sintering or fused deposition modeling. However, most of the benefits are the same, to different degrees. Keep in mind that different 3D printing technologies have different strengths and limitations, regardless of the printing material.
Pro tip! Nylon easily absorbs water from the air, so it needs to be kept in a dry storage environment.
Anything you love about printing with nylon that we didn't mention? Share in the comments below!
5 of our Favorite Recent 3D Printing Projects
In recent years, 3D printing has been used to improve and even save lives around the world. It’s also been used to create some truly fascinating, though totally impractical products. The technology is just so versatile, and it’s amazing to see how designers and innovators in different industries are using it to change the world, whether they’re replacing limbs or just dropping jaws. Here are a few of our favorites from both sides of the coin:
- A Replacement Human Skull: Hands down, some of the coolest 3d printing feats have occurred in the realm of medical science. Last year, 3D printing was used to replicate a whole human skull in order to relieve a Dutch woman from pain and vision loss associated with a rare condition that caused her enlarged skull to press against her brain. Now with a plastic 3D printed cranium, her vision has returned and her symptoms are no more. Go science.
- A redesigned brace for scoliosis: It’s no secret that scoliosis, which affects an estimated 2-3 percent of the population, can make daily life very difficult for many people, starting at childhood. To our delight, 3D systems, headquartered in Rock Hill, South Carolina, has been working on a sleeker, more comfortable back brace called Bespoke, which young adults and children are actually excited to wear.
- Prosthetics for animals: There’s just something about helping our animal friends that has made even the most technophobic humans smile about 3D printing. Naturally, the numerous efforts to save the lives and lift the spirits of animals with 3D printed prosthetics make our list of favorites. From stories of Derby the dog who can finally run thanks to prosthetic front legs, to a penguin with a new beak at the Warsaw Zoo, we can’t help but feel warm and fuzzy.
- Mind-blowing fashion design: Many fashion designers have begun to shock and inspire the world by creating collections either partially or entirely from 3D printed materials. From Iris Van Herpen to Noa Raviv, one of our very favorites, designers are letting their imaginations run wild and taking new risks to explore the possibilities of 3D printing with clothing. Whether you’d ever see someone wearing some of these extravagant designs in public is a different story, but we’re just excited to see people having fun with it. Considering that 3D printed scoliosis braces exist, we can only imagine how else 3D printing technology will bring brilliant function into the wearable world.
- Working 3D printed cars: There’s no way we could leave the first working 3D printed car off the list. This electric car, called the Strati, took 44 hours to assemble, drives up to 40 miles per hour, and can travel more than 120 miles on a single charge. Quite impressively, the Strati has only 49 printed parts, while traditional cars typically have 5,000 to 6,000 parts.
Another noteworthy project came from the National Transportation Research Center at Tennessee's Oak Ridge National Laboratory, which created a 3D-printed Shelby Cobra on a six-week timeline to be presented at the Detroit Auto Show. It takes an incredible amount of energy to manufacture a car, and using additive manufacturing is one of the most efficient ways to accomplish the task. The lab’s goal was to make the car look sleek and beautiful like an original cobra, experimenting with surface finish, energy absorption, and manufacturing speed. The result is glorious.
Will cars be 3D printed in the future? We wouldn’t bet on large-scale 3D printed auto production any time soon, but considering the energy efficiency of 3D printing over traditional manufacturing methods, there’s certainly reason to continue innovating.
We hope these innovations from the last year or so have inspired you. So what do you think? What have been some of your favorite 3D printing feats? Let us know in the comments below!