Prototypes - Afinia H-Series 3D Printers




Afinia H-Series 3D Printer
The Afinia H-Series 3D Printer provides a “Out of the Box 3D Printing Experience” as the 3D Printer comes fully assembled with easy to install software for both the PC and Mac. The Afinia H-Series 3D Printer can prototype a part or model that is up to 5 inches cubed in dimensions. The output is accurate to within .15mm (6 thousandths of an inch), and has 30% of the strength of injection molded parts.

Easy to Use
The portable Afinia H-Series 3D Printer is just under 11lbs making it easy to transport. It can also be operated in standalone mode. Once the file is downloaded to the device, the USB connection between the 3D printer and computer can be disconnected – even while printing.

Software
The 3D Software is compatible with both the PC and Mac, and features an easy-to-use interface for laying out, orienting, duplicating, and scaling parts. Simply use the included utility to calibrate the printhead height, and within minutes you are printing. It easily imports STL files, and the output can be customized in terms of the amount of support material and “raft” (base support) printed. Breakaway support material is simple to remove, and tools for aiding the breakaway are included. Design files for 3D printing can be created using online software, professional software such as SolidWorks, or by downloading from the extensive online 3D printer community for free.

Filaments
The Afinia H-Series 3D printer uses inexpensive, high-quality ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) plastic filament for 3D printing. ABS plastic filament colors included: natural, black, red, blue, yellow, green, white, gold, purple and pink, as well as "glow in the dark" blue and green.

Prototypes and 3D Printing Technology

In the creative professions, 3D Printing Technology is the closest to the reality of any design or manufacturing process. It is the closest to the actualization of the designer's dreams and the client's expectation. It also gives the closest reality to the end-product of the design process. 

 Below is an Expert Article on the subject of Prototypes and 3D Printing Technology:


The Basics About 3D Printing Technology
By Istimam Akib

3D Printing Technology is undoubtedly among the most remarkable facts in the industrial design and marketing arena. The technology enables us to build a solid part from scratch within a few hours. This technology is a process of building a solid object of any shape from a digital model. The printing is done employing an additive approach, where layers of materials are laid down in various shapes and that's why other name of 3D printing is additive manufacturing or rapid prototyping. A 3D printer is actually a limited form of industrial robot that is able to carry out an additive process under digital approach. Through allowing a machine to create objects of any shape, undoubtedly 3D printing is ushering in a new era.

The way a 3D Printer Works:

The printer uses the digital 3D model as a guide and deposits microscopically flat layers of the raw materials ( these are often metal, glass, synthetic resin, ceramic powder etc. ) step by step and progressively builds up the 3D object.

Uses of 3D Printing:

In addition to the industrial applications, since the costs for raw materials and 3D printers have fallen, the door to non-industrial applications is also opening up. Here are a few current uses of 3D printers: jewelry production, sculpture making, toys making, making architectural visualization to pre-visualize prior to making the main architectural copy etc.

Benefits of 3D Printing

Innovative Structures and Shapes:

Typical manufacturing relies on moulding and cutting methods to build structures and shapes. 3D printing technology alters this process - 3D printer can easily create lots of complicated figures. This process provides higher physical integrity and much more durability. It's really a WYSIWYG (What You See Is What You Get) technology in which the virtual model and the physical copy are nearly the same.

New Combinations of Materials:

Mixing various raw materials is not always possible using the mass manufacturing methods. 3D printing has eliminated most of these limitations. As a result, a lot of companies today provide various materials producing the texture and appearance of metal, ceramics or even glass with a range of strengths and heat resistance.

Significantly Less Waste:

Manufacturing plastic and metal objects generally is a wasteful process. For many aircraft building firms, approximately 90 % of the materials are usually wasted! Making a similar object using 3D printing reduces waste dramatically. Big cost savings can be accomplished this way and a smaller amount of waste does mean a lesser effect on the environment.

Inexpensive Manufacturing:

3D printing allows companies save up to 70 % of the manufacturing cost due to cheaper raw materials and lesser workforce required. As a result the technology makes companies more profitable.

Fast Manufacturing:

The speed of 3D printing is faster than the traditional process. With industrial 3D printing...