Metal CAD Prototyping: What Are the Methods Invloved?
X Rapid Technologies explains how metal CAD prototyping works in three processing methods. Contact us today to discuss details of your new prototyping project.
How does Metal Prototyping work?
CAD prototyping is one of the widely known metal prototyping methods used in various industrial companies for testing out different metal components. X Rapid technology is a company that offers the best metal prototyping services.
Many Industries nowadays use 3D painting or CAD prototyping for testing and checking the functional quality and feasibility of any metal components. Metal prototyping is one of the popular and highly used types of 3D printing methods. Using Metal in CAD prototyping (Computer-aided design prototyping) has proven to be very beneficial for many commercial projects. Metal prototyping is one of the many benefits of using 3D printing.
Metal prototyping is a prototyping method to turn a 3D CAD prototyping model into a solid metal object. The design in question is at first scanned to make a CAD prototyping. Here all the necessary changes in design and functions are made. After that, the CAD model gets transferred to a 3D printing machine. The machine usually prints different models using metal powder. Metal prototyping uses a 3D printing machine that can be used in many industries such as automotive, medical, consumer products, industrial equipment, aerospace & defense, oil and gas, and dies and tools.
Which method is the best for metal prototyping?
Although there are many methods you can use for metal prototyping, CNC machining or 3D printing are the best way to make a metal prototype. However, the prototyping method depends on its design. For a more complex and detailed design, 3D printing is more acceptable.
How does Metal Prototyping work?
If you want to make a CAD prototyping using Metal, then there are a few things that you need to keep in mind. Here's the process of creating your metal prototyping using the CAD prototyping method.
[Note: CAD prototyping is mostly used in the 3D printing machine.]
Make a CAD prototyping design:
The first thing to do is to scan the product using a 3D objects scanner to create a 3D prototype model or a replica of the same product. It's called CAD design.
Testing out the CAD model:
Once the design is complete, it's time to test out your CAD prototyping model. You will most likely find some errors that need immediate modifications. There can be some modifications to print only. If there are no issues with the model, then it is transferred to an STL file. The 3D object is then cut into 3 direct directions and is turned into 2D layers.
Metal 3D printing:
Once the file is complete, it is uploaded into the printer and the materials also get loaded for the printing process. Then the machines start to build the metal prototyping model by layering the materials one after another.
Heat treatment process:
The heat treatment process is done when the metal product needs to minimize its residual stresses in the structure. It declined the risks of dimensional changes during the post-processing of the final stage of developing the product.
Post-processing:
The last stage of creating any metal prototyping is the post-processing stage. Once the prototype is finished, it is removed from the machine and transferred for smoothing out and cleaning the surface of the model. Once that is done, you can now test your metal prototyping for any errors.
X Rapid technologies - The best Metal Prototyping solution
With X Rapid Technologies, you get the best metal prototyping solutions for all your industrial projects. We offer 3D printing with the highest quality CAD prototyping models which can withstand any internal and external tests. So get the free quote from our website today.
There are three processing methods for metal prototyping, namely CNC machining, 3D printing, and sheet metal fabrication. This article discusses their materials available, manufacturing processes, and applications.
1. CNC machining
Metal materials for CNC machining
The commonly used metals in industrial manufacturing are all available for CNC machining, such as aluminum, aluminum alloy, steel, stainless steel, magnesium alloy, red copper, brass, and other metals.
Machining process
- Get the 3D CAD drawings for prototyping
- CAD programming for CNC prototyping manufacturing
- Choose the tools and finish the settings of the CNC machines
- Properly clamp all the tools and start trial machining
- Start machining
- Take out the workpiece and have it post-finished
Applications
CNC metal prototyping is usually applied in automotive, machinery, aerospace, mold industries, etc.
2. 3D printing
Metal materials for 3D printing
Metal materials for 3D printing are primarily in the powder state. They can be steel, titanium, aluminum alloys, nickel alloys, cobalt-chromium alloys, copper and copper alloys, precious metals, and refractory metals.
Machining process
- Get the 3D CAD drawings for prototyping
- CAD programming for printing
- Set the 3D printer, put the metal powders into the powder supply tank, and finish other settings, including filling the printer with inert gases to obtain the required oxygen content.
- Start printing
- Cut the finished workpiece from the iron plate with a wire cutter
Notes:
Different metal powder materials require particular scrapers and machining processes.
Different materials require different inert gas protection and post-treatment processes.
Applications
Metal prototyping via 3D printing embraces a broad range of applications in aerospace, medical (orthopedic implants), luxury cars, motorsports, professional sports equipment, energy production, oil and gas, jewelry and crafts fields, etc.
3. Sheet metal fabrication
Metal materials for sheet metal fabrication
The metal materials used in sheet metal fabrication are generally cold-rolled sheet (SPCC), hot-rolled sheet (SHCC), galvanized sheet (SECC, SGCC), copper (CU), brass, red copper, beryllium copper, aluminum (6061, 5052, 1010, 1060, 6063, hard aluminum, etc.), stainless steel, etc. The most notable difference between sheet metal fabrication is that the material thickness is less than 6mm.
Machining process
- Unlike CNC machining, there are many machines involved in sheet metal fabrication. Therefore the production process is more complicated.
- Get the 3D CAD drawings for prototyping
- CAD programming for prototyping
- Undercutting (punching), bending, riveting, and welding parts
- Surface treatment
Applications
Sheet metal parts have a wide range of applications in the electronic appliances, communication, automotive, medical devices industries, etc.
The surface treatments for metal prototyping are sanding, polishing, electroplating (vacuum and water plating), blackening, passivation, sandblasting, etching, brushing, baking, oxidation, and laser engraving. Water plating is always for aluminum and copper). Passivation and blackening are often applied to steel. For more detailed information, please refer to our previous blog.
X Rapid Technologies is a professional metal prototyping service provider. We sincerely welcome any further discussion about metal rapid prototyping. Just drop a line today!
