Grant Michel

🛑 Stop Relying on STL Files for Additive Manufacturing 🛑 If you’re still using STL files as the backbone of your additive manufacturing process, it’s time to rethink your approach. While STL files have been an industry staple for years, their limitations can compromise the quality and efficiency of your 3D prints. The Problem with STL Files 1️⃣ Lack of Precision: STL files approximate your design using triangles, which can distort critical details, especially in complex geometries. 2️⃣ File Size Challenges: Higher resolution means larger files, leading to slower processing times and potential system crashes. 3️⃣ Data Loss: Unlike native CAD formats, STL files strip away important design intelligence, making modifications and validations nearly impossible. The Better Approach: Approximated Geometry By working with advanced solutions like Kubotek Kosmos 3D Framework, you can use B-rep (Boundary Representation) geometry instead of relying on STL. This method preserves the integrity of your design while offering the flexibility and accuracy needed for high-quality prints. Here’s how it works: ✅ Greater Precision: With B-rep geometry, you can use exact models for your project, maintaining the fidelity of curves and surfaces to ensure your print matches the original design intent. ✅ Optimized Workflows: Streamline the data preparation process, reducing file size and computational demands without sacrificing quality. ✅ Design Integrity: Keep valuable design information intact for easier modifications and seamless collaboration between design and manufacturing teams. Why This Matters for Additive Manufacturing When precision is critical—whether for aerospace, automotive, or medical devices—your geometry matters. Switching from STL files to a more advanced approach ensures better part accuracy, smoother surfaces, and fewer errors. Let’s move additive manufacturing forward by leaving outdated file formats behind. If you’re ready to elevate your workflow and deliver high-quality prints, it starts with smarter tools and better data handling. What challenges have you faced with STL files? Let’s discuss solutions that can transform your process. #AdditiveManufacturing #CAD #KubotekKosmos #3DFramework #BRepGeometry #Innovation #Precision #Engineering #3DPrinting #AdvancedManufacturing #AerospaceEngineering #AutomotiveDesign #MedicalDeviceManufacturing #DigitalTransformation #SmartManufacturing #IndustrialAutomation #ProductDevelopment #RapidPrototyping #ManufacturingTechnology

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Request for comments. NCS now carries Stratasys compatible 3D filaments from Triton 3D, and I am interested to know what questions or concerns need to be addressed; from Stratasys owners; that help them make this transition to better & less expensive material. Stratasys compatible material at a 30-60% cost savings, with no warranty issues, is taking over the market. And with new clients getting a full 25% additional savings on their entire order by using the Promo Cost NCSTech25 at www.Triton3D.com, we want to face any concerns head-on. Some notes: 1) Triton 3D filament is made here in the USA. 2) Triton 3D materials do not void or affect the Stratasys warranty. 3) Triton 3D offers a wide range of available materials. PEEK, ULTEM, ABS, etc. 4) Triton 3D has direct application engineers and consultants to select the best material for your application. If you are a Stratasys owner, and are considering Triton 3D materials, please leave a comment.

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Today's machine designers are tasked with maximizing throughput and accuracy while minimizing vibration and heat generation. It's a major challenge, but designers have a powerful tool at their disposal - motion trace. This article looks at what you should expect from a motion trace function and how to use it to optimize the design of your next machine: https://bit.ly/3zf8wpp #motioncontrol #motorcontrol #engineering #automation #machinedesign

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I have 5 of Formlabs 45 materials that I have tagged my “Wonder Materials”. These are ones that I feel like if you stranded me on a desert island with a printer and an unlimited supply of these materials I would build myself my own boat to charter home. They include: 1.) Rigid 10K 2.) Grey v5 3.) Biomed Durable 4.) Tough 2000 5.) Silicone I print an unhealthy amount of Rigid 10K, ever since I was first introduced to it. I lovingly call it “Poor man’s ceramic”. It’s hard like stone, smooth like glass, strong like iron, and takes heat and cold like an absolute champion.

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Do you want to add textures to your cad models for 3d printing? You can use Keyshot to import models and drag various textured bump maps onto surfaces and export for 3d printing. You can also use this free tool from Formlabs called Meshy, which repairs leaky model geometry and can add textures.

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What are frequency-selective surfaces? What comprises these surfaces? Read to find out: https://bit.ly/3ZIpAiw. #wearables #RF #RFengineering #software #EMI

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Anyone with a Polyjet system that needs to provide stable color comparisons? https://lnkd.in/gaaDn9ZU The RM200QC Imaging Spectrocolorimeter is designed to provide stable color comparisons for materials and products wherever color control is important. It is an elegant, portable instrument that fits comfortably in your hand or pocket to take with you wherever you go – from the quality control lab to the manufacturing floor to supplier inspections in the field. Using this affordable instrument will boost your color quality when color requirements are too stringent to depend on visual evaluation alone. It is more accurate and reliable than other basic colorimeters and removes the uncertainty that can result when using color swatches as the final color comparison. This is due to the fact that everyone sees color differently, color perception is dependent on lighting conditions, and physical swatches can be damaged or deteriorate over time. Benefits: Achieve stable color quality throughout the entire quality control and manufacturing process, including field testing with third-party suppliers. Manage suppliers efficiently, ensuring that each adheres to a single standard. Control variations between lab formulation, production, and final goods. Control batch-to-batch variations during the manufacturing process, reducing waste and rework. Eliminate issues related to staff experience; everyone uses the same device with an easy pass/fail indication based on approved standards. This easy-to-use color measurement instrument delivers high reliability and accuracy, often eliminating the need for larger, more unwieldy instruments, especially for field applications. It is an exceptional tool that delivers accurate color data that takes the emotion out of color evaluation and helps gain faster customer approvals. With the RM200QC always in your pocket or purse, you’ll always be ready to accurately evaluate color – anytime, anywhere.

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By slashing manual labor time by up to 50% for PolyJet parts, Protolabs is now focusing more on value-added tasks and speeding up their time to market. Check out our Guest Blog Post with Protolabs for insights on digitized workflows, additive manufacturing's role in "lights out" production, and the transformative impact of automated post-printing technology. #postprocessing #additivemanufacturing #3dprinting #polyjet

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“Check out the OptiPro Revel™ as it performs automated beveling of each edge of a square part in one cycle. Learn more about the capabilities of the Revel™ here: https://lnkd.in/gjkpNhyu

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🔟 great end use cases for #3Dprinting in the #automotive industry, great read! Can you add to the list? Artiticles like this make me appreciate this technology so much but also remind me of how hard being a reseller for so many brands can be. In sales you are taught to identify a need quickly and focus on how you can solve that pain point. With so many technologies and millions of different applications, that can be a difficult task to do quickly. We have to get to know our customers on a much deeper level. Often times we have to problem solve to also help the customer get the exact look and surface finish they desire, even redesign parts to make them more printable. It can take a while but 100% worth it when our customers gets a more sustainable, lights out workflow that gives them the ability to be flexible in their production and opens the door to faster innovation. What can we do for you! https://lnkd.in/g4sk6ycA

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Check out how leading lighting company, J.W. Speaker Corporation utilizes #AdditiveManufacturing in crafting fixtures from durable materials. Saving time and money is just the tip of the iceberg. Leverage the Benefits of Carbon Fiber 3D Printing >> https://okt.to/FfkXq6 #F370CR #BuiltforManufacturing #addstratasys #MakeAdditiveWorkForYou

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🚗 Reverse Engineering Made Easy: Step-by-Step Guide Learn how to scan, design, 3D print, and post-process car parts with SHINING 3D and Formlabs! Follow our full workflow and discover how to create perfectly fitting replacements with similar mechanical properties. 🔹 Scan the Part: High-precision 3D scanning with SHINING 3D FreeScan Combo. 🔹 Reverse Engineer in CAD: Create a parametric model in SOLIDWORKS. 🔹 3D Print: Compare Formlabs Form 3L and Form 4L for speed, materials, and volume. 🔹 Post-Process: Use Form Wash and Form Cure for top-notch results. 🔹 Final Fit: See it in action on a BMW Z4! 🎉 Looking to upgrade your 3D scanning solution? Take advantage of SHINING 3D’s Winter Offers and save big on their industry-leading scanners. There’s no better time to elevate your workflow: 🔗https://lnkd.in/eSuH3wCF 📺 Watch the full video and read the blog here: 🔗https://lnkd.in/g7ssjV8v #Formlabs #Shining3D #HowToGuide #WinterOffers

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Really? You can combine multiple 3D printing technologies into one product? Who knew....PolyJet™, Neo® SLA, and P3™ DLP come together to create an air purifier prototype that sets a new benchmark in product development. See how to overcome design challenges, to create a prototype that excels in aesthetics, functionality, and durability, that not only enhances design accuracy, but also streamlines the path from concept to market-ready product. Read the use case and discover how integrated 3D printing technologies can transform your design process. https://okt.to/fEtd5u #RapidPrototyping #AdditiveManufacturing #ProductDesign #3DPrinting #MakeAdditiveWorkForYou #addstratasys

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Really? You can combine multiple 3D printing technologies into one product? Who knew....PolyJet™, Neo® SLA, and P3™ DLP come together to create an air purifier prototype that sets a new benchmark in product development. See how to overcome design challenges, to create a prototype that excels in aesthetics, functionality, and durability, that not only enhances design accuracy, but also streamlines the path from concept to market-ready product. Read the use case and discover how integrated 3D printing technologies can transform your design process. https://okt.to/afkOIV #RapidPrototyping #AdditiveManufacturing #ProductDesign #3DPrinting #MakeAdditiveWorkForYou #addstratasys

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Really? You can combine multiple 3D printing technologies into one product? Who knew....PolyJet™, Neo® SLA, and P3™ DLP come together to create an air purifier prototype that sets a new benchmark in product development. See how to overcome design challenges, to create a prototype that excels in aesthetics, functionality, and durability, that not only enhances design accuracy, but also streamlines the path from concept to market-ready product. Read the use case and discover how integrated 3D printing technologies can transform your design process. https://okt.to/Ibpkms #RapidPrototyping #AdditiveManufacturing #ProductDesign #3DPrinting #MakeAdditiveWorkForYou #addstratasys

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Really? You can combine multiple 3D printing technologies into one product? Who knew....PolyJet™, Neo® SLA, and P3™ DLP come together to create an air purifier prototype that sets a new benchmark in product development. See how to overcome design challenges, to create a prototype that excels in aesthetics, functionality, and durability, that not only enhances design accuracy, but also streamlines the path from concept to market-ready product. Read the use case and discover how integrated 3D printing technologies can transform your design process. https://okt.to/Lu0gUI #RapidPrototyping #AdditiveManufacturing #ProductDesign #3DPrinting #MakeAdditiveWorkForYou #addstratasys

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Really? You can combine multiple 3D printing technologies into one product? Who knew....PolyJet™, Neo® SLA, and P3™ DLP come together to create an air purifier prototype that sets a new benchmark in product development. See how to overcome design challenges, to create a prototype that excels in aesthetics, functionality, and durability, that not only enhances design accuracy, but also streamlines the path from concept to market-ready product. Read the use case and discover how integrated 3D printing technologies can transform your design process. https://okt.to/pAwmx6 #RapidPrototyping #AdditiveManufacturing #ProductDesign #3DPrinting #MakeAdditiveWorkForYou #addstratasys

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