Making my own parts fast

With the launch of MakePartsFast.com - the companion website to Digital Manufacturing Review, I thought it would be worthwhile to actually try to make a part fast myself and see how the process might work firsthand.

The supplement to Design World Magazine, Digital MFG Review & MakePartsFast.com is geared around rapid prototype service providers, CAD software and rapid manufacturing companies. The overall message is that making prototypes or parts in low runs, whether it be injection molding, machining, SLS, FDM and other techniques is an easy process. This is the notion of taking your 3D CAD file and sending it into a service provider, and within days having a copy of the part.

I have about 8 years experience in surface modeling/animation and some CAD, but in any case was fairly skeptical that this process would be easy.

First off, I used a program (on my mac) called Lightwave 3D® by Newtek as my surface modeler, followed up with modo® from Luxology as both great tools for modeling, realistic surfacing, effects and animation. In this case, the modeling was most important - but being able to render photo-real images prior is key to analyze prototype designs. The model itself, was a fairly light part, with thin areas and smooth flowing curves with overall dimensions of around 170mm x 130mm x 38mm. The file also included another part of the assembly, and was a smaller spherical shape.

The first challenge was translating from modo to get a .stl file. Modo does not export an .stl file type. The .stl file is what most service providers want to run the model to their 3D printers for fabrication - and I’ll just leave the complication of the fabrication machines to call them 3D printers for now.

I chose Rhino3D (for a windows machine) as next step to convert my modo file to an .stl file. The file translation was amazingly accurate -  only the overall dimensions requiring tweaking once in Rhino. My ‘frozen’ NURBS surfaces came through as expected. I broke up my assembly in modo into separate parts for import into Rhino, so I would not end up with one fixed part. The widget I created was a sort of ball and socket design.

Now that I had my STL files rather easily, I choose RedEye RPM - a Stratasys Company as the test service provider. I created an account in minutes, uploaded the files and received a price quote immediately based on the stl files. The cool thing was being able to preview the stl file as well online after I uploaded to ensure the file took well to RedEye. I chose an FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) process, as the part fit well with this type of material.

After placing the order late afternoon, I received notification the following day that my parts would be complete by the next business day and would ship out.

I felt like a little kid when I got the package. Being the first time, it was quite a trip to see & feel the actual plastic-like part in my hand after modeling virtually on screen for so long. The FDM is a porous, but hard material that was very good for the widget I created. I had a few very thin areas measuring less than about 3mm in thickness and it was very fragile. I realized my dimensions were off and should have been thicker, but I imagine for thin parts that require real-world testing,  another process would be better suited like rapid injection molding. The more spherical solid aspects of my assembly worked very well with the FDM process.

At the end of the day, to take a 3D file through several software apps, across platforms, upload via the web and get a great prototype back was an amazingly straightforward process. This is an exciting market, as materials techniques, and processes continue to evolve extremely fast.

Here at Design World, we hope to bring you the most up to date and interesting news, editorial, video, tips & tutorials, and more on the subject and how its impacting design and manufacturing trends.

Now what should I make next?

3D CAD Model Publishing

Its been a key feature of Design World since inception, but reading a partner profile at Autodesk brings the point home again - Why design when you can download? You can save hours of design time by using ready-made parts from your favorite global suppliers.

CAD neutral Traceparts continues to leverage their resources through publishing partnerships with CAD & PLM vendors such as Google, SolidWorks, PTC, Missler Software, Alibre, Axemble, and of course Design World.

And with the uptake on 3D Catalog creation & broad publishing via Traceparts, we are seeing high activity in this area. Marketers must view this as ‘new media’, a means to leverage lead generation and marketing ROI that also has the extremely worthwhile side effect of reducing aspects of engineering overhead; eg. time savings in not having personnel in the engineering department generate and send CAD data to a prospect or customer since the engineer can configure and download themselves. And be guaranteed an in-spec part. I view 3D content creation, configuration and promotion a ‘must do’ for any supplier with in-house 2D/3D demand.

Expanded Relationship with TraceParts

More great news leading off the New Year - we’re pleased to announce our expanded business relationship with TraceParts.

WTWH Media, LLC Expands Relationship with TraceParts

www.tracepartsonline.net added to Design World Online network offerings

SANTA BARBARA, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–WTWH Media, LLC today announced an expanded partnership with TraceParts, a leading global supplier of 3D Engineering Content. Through this partnership, Design World is named as exclusive North American reseller for assisting and supporting suppliers in the data migration process to a 3D catalog. The CAD catalogs are then available across the TraceParts media platform including www.designworldonline.com, www.tracepartsonline.net, SolidWorks^® www.3dcontentcentral.com, Google Warehouse^™, and a number of other popular CAD communities.

Additionally, Design World will leverage the TraceParts international audience to its portfolio of network offerings. TracePartsOnline.net is a 3D supplier catalog community with over 5.2 million monthly page views and over 300,000 registered users. Marketers have the ability to run globally geo-targeted messages to this rapidly growing audience.

“Manufacturers are updating their marketing programs so they can increase customer satisfaction and product exposure,” says Bob Noftle, TraceParts president. “This partnership provides manufacturers the program flexibility they’re looking for and allows for maximum exposure of 3D models to the design engineer OEM and machine builder audience.”

“Marketers are seeking a higher ROI by implementing 3D CAD model online catalogs and the TraceParts solution fits perfectly with Design World Online programs,” said Mike Emich, co-founder Design World. “These catalogs also promote higher efficiencies in engineering customer support by allowing the design engineer to configure the model to their specifications. It’s a three-way win for engineering, marketing, and the design engineer. We’re pleased to provide our OEM design engineering audience valuable 3D services and content through our TraceParts partnership.”

About TraceParts

TraceParts is a leading digital engineering content company, offering customers progressive business solutions through powerful web based products and services. TraceParts helps customers improve marketing efficiencies by increasing the value of their existing digital product data. The TraceParts Online CAD portal is freely available to millions of CAD users worldwide. For more information about TraceParts, please visit www.traceparts.com.

WTWH Media Acquires MCAD Central

Out on the wire today…and check out video below.

WTWH Media, LLC Acquires MCAD Central

Community Site for Mechanical 3D CAD Users Builds out the Design World Network

SANTA BARBARA, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–WTWH Media, LLC today announced the acquisition of MCAD Central, a design engineering community site focused on helping 3D mechanical CAD software users. MCAD Central is regarded as the leading independent mechanical CAD resource consisting of forums, articles, models, and ecommerce. MCAD Central is added into WTWH Media’s Design World Network portfolio that includes Design World Online and 3DCADTips. In June 2007 WTWH acquired the web assets of 3DCADTips, Forums, Tutorials, Books and Search.

“The acquisition of MCAD Central solidifies Design World’s position as a leading resource for both marketers and engineers serving the OEM design engineering market,” said Scott McCafferty, co-founder of WTWH Media.

The acquisition of MCAD Central brings the online Design World Network metrics to 1.8 million page views with 90,000 registered site users across the network. Launched October 2006, Design World Magazine and online network is the fastest growing design engineering resource on the market today.

About WTWH Media, LLC

WTWH Media, LLC is leading innovation in the b-to-b media space with Design World Magazine and the Design World Network of community websites. All properties are focused on serving the design engineer, machine builder and OEM in several growth markets including medical, packaging, semiconductor, and factory automation. More information at www.designworldonline.com

[flv]http://www.designworldonline.com/ftp/video/WTWH-MCAD.flv[/flv]

Video Platform Upgrade

And we’re fired up to be launching improvements to the DW video platform. Our new improved player from Fliqz sports a cleaner interface, easy embed, sharing and email features and several under the hood improvements. A great example can be found here on 3D Scanners - happens to be interesting video from Next Engine on re-creating obsolete parts on a classic Bugatti by scanning the old part and creating a new watertight 3D CAD part from the generated mesh.

Also on the video front, we can take these video formats:

.avi, .flv, .mpg, .mov, .wmv, .mp4, .mov, .avi, mpeg, .wmv, .3gp, .mod, and .movieclip

Just go to our video upload link found here - Use the simple interface to upload the file and your done. Once uploaded, the video can literally be placed and shared across any website, social network, or blog by way of simple embed code generated by clicking the get embed <> link on the player.

Next time an article or PR is in the works, consider a video to go along with and we’ll embed on the page contextually with the copy.

TraceParts officially launches operations in the US

Great news for US suppliers on the 3DCAD catalog front. TraceParts, a leading global supplier of 3D Engineering Content, announced TraceParts, Inc., a wholly-owned subsidiary based in New Hampshire that will be offering customers the software and services needed to create, manage, and distribute web based 3D product catalogs. Industry veteran Bob Noftle will be heading up operations.

Form the Release:

The new operation will be led by industry veteran Bob Noftle. Bob has over 25 years experience in the CAD/CAM industry, most recently with the SolidWorks Corporation where he was the General Manager of 3D Content Solutions.

“To support our U.S. customers, and our European and Asian customers with U.S. operations, it was imperative that we form this subsidiary”, says Etienne Mullie, TraceParts founder, CEO and President of the Board. “With his vast experience in the content field, coupled with his knowledge of the marketplace, Bob is uniquely qualified to lead the U.S. team.”

“The establishment of TraceParts, Inc. signifies another important move for TraceParts as it continues with its expansion plans,” said Bob Noftle the newly appointed president. “I am happy to be part of a team that is so focused on the needs of the customer.”

The new subsidiary will allow TraceParts to provide global support to component manufacturers in the creation and publishing of their 3D catalogs. Many leading suppliers including Asco Joucomatic Numatics, Bosch Rexroth, Festo, Igus, Ina/Fag, Legris, Misumi, Schneider and Trelleborg, have already selected TraceParts for their innovative technology and effective marketing support.

The TraceParts Online CAD portal already has more than 650,000 registered users worldwide. For more information about TraceParts, see www.traceparts.com.

Autodesk to Sponsor Design World Leadership in Engineering Program

Design World online and print promotion recognizes innovative engineers and engineering companies

SANTA BARBARA, Calif – WTWH Media, LLC today announced that Autodesk will be sponsoring the Design World “Leadership in Engineering” program, an industry recognition event to acknowledge engineering leadership across several disciplines. The inaugural program includes over 40 manufacturers and has a featured print promotion along with an online voting site at www.designworldonline.com/leadership.

“Autodesk contributes greatly to this program by bringing their reputation for recognizing innovative engineers and inventors to the Design World program. We are pleased to have Autodesk on-board to support our efforts for industry recognition of outstanding engineering organizations across a wide range of disciplines,” said Scott McCafferty, co-founder WTWH Media.

All participating companies are profiled online at www.designworldonline.com/leadership and the engineering community is encouraged to vote for the most deserving leader in each category based on their accomplishments. Voting is enabled online until October 31, 2007 and accuracy is ensured via a registration-based method. Those companies receiving the most votes from their peer group will be awarded in November of 2007 and recognized in a Design World special issue.

About Autodesk
Autodesk, Inc. is the world leader in 2D and 3D design software for the manufacturing, construction and media and entertainment markets. Since its introduction of AutoCAD software in 1982, Autodesk has developed the broadest portfolio of state-of-the-art Digital Prototyping solutions to help customers experience their ideas before they are built. Fortune 1000 companies rely on Autodesk for the tools to visualize, simulate and analyze real-world performance early in the design process to save time and money, enhance quality and foster innovation. For additional information about Autodesk, visit http://www.autodesk.com.

Autodesk, AutoCAD, Autodesk Inventor, and Inventor are registered trademarks of Autodesk, Inc., in the USA and/or other countries. All other brand names, product names or trademarks belong to their respective holders. Autodesk reserves the right to alter product offerings and specifications at any time without notice, and is not responsible for typographical or graphical errors that may appear in this document.

About WTWH Media, LLC
WTWH Media, LLC is a privately owned media business with its primary holding Design World serving OEM machine builders and design engineers in several growth markets. Launched in 2006, Design World Magazine and Design World Online represent the fastest growing print and online community serving the OEM design engineering market. For additional information about WTWH Media, LLC & Design World please visit www.designworldonline.com

www.3dcadbooks.com goes live

WTWH Media, LLC announces a new site addition to the 3DCAD community with the launching of www.3dcadbooks.com, a book resource site for design engineers engaged in software design from CAD - CAM - FEA.

We have plans and development projects that will continue to support the challenge for engineers to design projects better, faster and under budget. 3dcadbooks.com represents a necessary site to aid in this mission.

www.3dcadbooks.com is supported with the most extensive dedicated 3dcad community consisting of 3dcadtips.com, 3dcadtutorials.com, 3dcadsearch.com, and 3dcadforums.com. This is a natural brand extension to the fastest growing segment of the CAD community.

A special thanks to Don LaCourse and his team for their support and direction on this project.

WTWH, Scott

Engineering community grows

WTWH Media, LLC has acquired the internet assets related to the 3DCAD World Network. This 3DCAD community consists of over 50,000 registered members along with 350,000 page views. The acquisition includes the following sites: www.3dcadtips.com, 3dcadtutorials.com, 3dcadforums.com, 3dcadsearch.com. Don LaCourse founder of the network will continue to develop the network and provide additional site support and direction to the DW team.

We have already made baby steps towards implementing site integration with www.designworldonline.com and have further plans to enhance, improve and expand the network. Tune in Monday, for more exciting news.

WTWH, Scott

3D Resources

A new rapid prototyping service has been added to the site. We’re pleased to offer visitors to Design World Online an easy means to register for Quickparts services where you get free quotes for custom manufactured parts by uploading your 3D CAD models to them. Quickparts’ offerings include: Stereolithography (SLA), PolyJet, Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), and Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM).

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