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Case Study Spark Laser reduces time to market and development costs with industrial 3D printing. Spark Laser is a company based in Vancouver, BC that specializes in the design and manufacturing of commercial laser cutting machines. Spark Laser was looking for a local manufacturer that was able to rapidly produce low-volume production runs of prototypes and end-use plastic parts that were robust enough for an industrial environment, and affordable enough to keep their production costs down. With approximately 40 unique parts to manufacture, traditional methods like Injection molding would costs thousands of dollars and months to produce, without the flexibility to do on-the-fly design modifications. Spark Laser approached Tempus 3D to find a solution. With HP Multi Jet Fusion 3D printing technology, Tempus 3D was able to provide high-quality, robust plastic parts at a fraction of the cost of injection molding, with the ability to revise the design as needed and have their parts produced within days of ordering. This allowed Spark Laser to get their product to market faster and more affordably while maintaining the design freedom they need as they continue to innovate. Key benefits Able to get their product to market quickly and affordably Save thousands of dollars on production costs, compared to injection molding. High-quality plastic parts produced in days, not weeks or months. Prototype and manufacture consumer-ready end-use parts with the same CAD files and 3D printing technology. Photo courtesy of Spark Laser Organization Spark Laser Industry Manufacturing Technology HP Multi Jet Fusion Materials Nylon PA12 Introduction Spark Laser is a Vancouver, British Columbia (BC) based manufacturer of commercial and industrial lasers. They are building desktop lasers for customers across Canada and the United States. Their lasers are designed specifically to address a gap in the laser market by providing a high quality and cost-effective solution for customers not wanting to spend hundreds of thousands of dollars on industrial-sized products. The founder of Spark Laser, Yousef Javaher, was looking to manufacture these lasers in Canada. A mutual business connection introduced him to Tempus 3D , a Canadian 3D printing Service Bureau specializing in manufacturing industrial plastics. Challenge Spark laser was needing approximately 40 internal parts for the lasers and needed to be able to iterate the design quickly and cost-effectively to come up with an optimal product ideally suited to their target market. These parts needed to be robust enough to withstand long-term use in an industrial environment, and they needed to be able to manufacture the parts or revise the design with minimal cost and lag time. Due to the relatively low volume of initial production, most traditional methods of manufacturing products were not viable options. Solution Spark Laser recognized very early on that the cost of producing moulds for each of the parts and then changing the design and iterating with traditional manufacturing methods was not viable. The cost of having moulds produced for each part would have ranged from as low as $5,000 per part up to $20,000 for some of the more complex parts, and this would have been multiplied by the number of iterations to the parts. Additionally, the complexity of design of some of the parts was not feasible for injection molding processes. Spark Laser was an early adopter of 3D printing as a solution to the design challenges of building a complex product like a laser from the bottom up. They began using desktop 3D printers for quick in-house iteration, but when it came to producing the final product they needed parts that were comparable in quality, consistency, and asthetics to injection molding. The parts produced by the desktop printer were not precise or robust enough for an end-use product. This is where Tempus 3D was able to really deliver value. Spark Laser had Tempus produce their first set of parts in the summer of 2021, which were used to build the first functioning prototype laser. These parts were produced on Tempus 3D’s in-house HP Multi Jet Fusion 5200 3D printer, which is capable of producing large volumes of high quality parts with accuracy and aesthetics comparable to injection molding. Result Using industrial 3D printing allowed Spark laser was able to get their product to market quickly, and secure significant orders through a distribution partner. This has allowed Spark to test the market early without incurring massive research and design costs while keeping their inventory and raw materials cost near zero. They can essentially just order parts and raw materials on an as-needed basis and scale in a way that only 3D printing would allow. Spark Laser and Tempus 3D continue to work together with the production of parts, and are both heavily invested in bringing manufacturing back to Canada. As Spark continues to see increasing demand for their products, Tempus is there to help them scale and meet their needs. The Future The manufacturing partnership between Spark Laser and Tempus 3D is a prime example of what manufacturing will look like in the future. The manufacturing process will be more responsive, more customized, and more local allowing innovators across sectors to bring products to market more quickly and in a more environmentally friendly way. View a video of Spark Laser's technology in action on YouTube Learn more about HP Multi Jet Fusion https://www.tempus3d.com/hp-multi-jet-fusion Learn more about HP PA12 https://www.tempus3d.com/hp-nylon-pa12 How to design for Multi Jet Fusion https://www.tempus3d.com/hp-multi-jet-fusion-design-guide Photos and information courtesy of Spark Laser.

Custom Metal 3D Printing Service 3D print custom metal parts with excellent material properties with a high level of precision and durability. Start A New 3D Printing Quote Guaranteed consistently high-quality 3D printed prototypes and production parts Get a Quote All uploads are secure and confidential. Metal 3D printing is used to manufacture geometrically complex parts which can be prohibitively expensive or impossible to make with any other fabrication method. The speed and versatility of 3D printing metal allows manufacturers to go from designing to manufacturing custom metal parts quickly and affordably, without sacrificing part quality. A range of metals produce final parts that can be used for custom designs, rapid prototyping or end-use applications. 3D Printed Metals Most Popular Quickest Lowest Cost Volume Orders Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) builds metal parts by selectively fusing thin layers of stainless steel powder using a laser. This process is ideal for printing precise, high-resolution parts with complex geometries. DMLS is excellent for producing functional prototypes or low-to-mid volume production runs of parts with intricate details and delicate features, and parts designed for demanding environments. Direct Metal Laser Sintering (DMLS) Materials 17-4 Stainless Steel 17-4PH stainless steel (also known as 1.4542 stainless or 630 grade) has an outstanding combination of high strength and good corrosion resistance, with excellent mechanical properties at high temperatures. It is used in a wide range of industrial applications, including those with mildly corrosive environments and high-strength requirements. Max part size 150 x 150 x 150 mm Layer height 20 µm Tensile Strength 620 - 700 MPa Elongation at break 3.9 - 7.9 % Learn More Get a Quote Surface Finish Options Standard Finish Supports are removed and layer lines are visible. Bead Blasting Bead blasting smooths the surface and has a satin finish. Custom A custom finish is available upon request. Advantages of Metal 3D Printing Rapid Prototyping Metal 3D printing is well-suited for rapid prototyping, allowing engineers and designers to quickly iterate and test designs before committing to large-scale production. This can accelerate the product development cycle and reduce time-to-market. Complex Geometries Metal 3D printing produces highly complex and intricate geometries that would be challenging or impossible to achieve using traditional manufacturing methods. This is particularly beneficial in industries such as aerospace and healthcare. Tooling Cost Reduction Traditional manufacturing often requires expensive tooling for each specific part. With metal 3D printing, tooling costs can be reduced or eliminated, as the same equipment can be used for a variety of complex shapes without molds or dies. Manufacturing Metal 3D printing supports on-demand and small-batch manufacturing, making it cost-effective for producing low volumes of specialized or custom parts without the need for maintaining large inventories. Lightweight Structures Metal 3D printing enables the creation of lightweight structures with optimized designs, leading to improved performance and fuel efficiency in applications like aerospace and automotive. Repair and Maintenace Metal 3D printing can be used for efficient repair and maintenance of existing components, extending the lifespan of critical parts and reducing the need for complete replacements. Custom Designs Metal 3D printing produces custom and personalized components, as each part can be designed and printed to meet specific requirements. This is valuable in industries like healthcare, where patient-specific pieces can be created. Design Freedom Designers have greater freedom in creating innovative and optimized structures, as they are not constrained by traditional manufacturing limitations. This can result in improved functionality and efficiency. Reduced Waste Traditional manufacturing methods often involve subtractive processes, where material is cut away from a larger block to achieve the final shape. Metal 3D printing is an additive process, built layer by layer, which can significantly reduce material waste. Join the Manufacturing Revolution with Tempus 3D Upload your CAD file for an online quote and start manufacturing today Get a quote

3D Printing Materials 3D print custom parts with excellent material properties and a high level of precision and durability. Start A New 3D Printing Quote Guaranteed consistently high-quality 3D printed prototypes and production parts Get a Quote All uploads are secure and confidential. Tempus 3D specializes in 3D printing high-performance materials, using industry-leading 3D print technology for functional prototyping and low-to-mid volume manfuacturing of end-use parts. Plastic 3D Printing Strong, detailed, quality parts Low-to mid-volume production of affordable, high-quality plastic parts with a high level of detail and excelllent mechanical properties. Tempus 3D uses HP Multi Jet Fusion technology , which is used by leaders such as Volkswagen, BMW and John Deere for prototyping and end-use parts. Learn More Online Quote Metal 3D Printing High quality, fully dense metal parts Low-to mid-volume production of high-quality metal prototypes and end-use parts. A variety of 3D printing technologies allows you to select the material and printing process that best suits your budget and build requirements. Learn More Online Quote Proud to be a Certified HP Digital Manufacturing Partner T empus 3D is proud to be one of a select few service bureaus in Canada to be a qualified member of the HP Digital Manufact uring Network . Learn More Value-Added Services 3D Scanning Learn More Design Services Learn More Post Processing Learn More Get your parts into production today Online Quote

Now we are getting to the potatoes! When it comes to creating custom orthotics, precision and efficiency are key. Traditionally, CNC machining has been the go-to way for producing these devices. However, the rise of 3D printing in the advanced manufacturing era is transforming how we approach this field. Both technologies have their merits, but when it comes to modern orthotics, 3D printing offers key advantages.  The Traditional CNC Machining Approach  CNC machining is a subtractive form of manufacturing. Itinvolves cutting away material from a solid block to create a final product. For orthotics, this process typically starts with a block of foam or plastic, which is milled into the desired shape. This method is known for its:  Precision:  CNC machines can produce highly accurate orthotics tailored to a patient's needs.  Material Variation:  It is easy to change out material type based on client needs.  However, CNC machining also comes with notable limitations:  Material Waste:  Significant amounts of material are removed during machining, resulting in higher waste.  Complexity Constraints:  Designing intricate, organic shapes can be challenging and time-consuming.  Time-Intensive Setup:  Each custom piece requires careful programming and calibration, adding to lead times.  The Game-Changer: 3D Printing for Orthotics  3D printing takes a completely different approach by building orthotics layer by layer from a digital design. This additive manufacturing method brings several unique advantages:  Design Freedom:  3D printing enables the creation of complex geometries, such as lattice structures, that are impossible to achieve with CNC machining. These designs can enhance comfort and functionality by optimizing weight distribution and even airflow.  Material Efficiency:  Since material is only deposited where needed, waste is dramatically reduced. This not only lowers costs but also supports sustainability.  Speed and Scalability:  Once the digital design is finalized, multiple orthotics can be printed simultaneously, significantly speeding up production. In a machine like ours at Tempus 3D, we can print nearly 100  pairs in a single print!  Enhancing Patient Outcomes  For patients, the benefits of 3D-printed orthotics are transformative. Lighter, more breathable designs enhance comfort during wear, while precise customizations ensure better alignment and support. Additionally, the speed of production means patients spend less time waiting for their orthotics to be ready.  Choosing the Right Technology  While CNC machining has been a reliable method for decades, 3D printing is quickly becoming the preferred choice for producing orthotics. It offers unparalleled flexibility, efficiency, and innovation that align with the evolving needs of both patients and practitioners.  As the orthotics industry continues to embrace 3D printing, we're excited to see how this technology will further improve patient care and redefine the boundaries of custom manufacturing!

Introduction:  After an orthotic is 3D printed, it undergoes a series of post-processing steps to enhance its appearance, durability, and functionality. Depending on the final assembly, these finishing touches could make a significant difference in patient satisfaction and long-term wear. This week in our campaign we’ll explore the most common post-processing techniques used for 3D printed orthotics! Dyeing:  Dyeing is a common technique used to color the orthotic. Many orthotics start out as grey or white, but dyeing allows clinicians to offer custom colors, which can enhance aesthetics and patient preference.  Benefits:  Adds a more complete look, can be customized to patient preference.  Drawbacks:  Requires additional time and equipment.  Vapor Smoothing:  Vapor smoothing is used to create a smoother surface finish on the orthotic. This is especially useful for materials like PA-12, which can have a slightly rough texture after printing.  Benefits:  Smooth, polished finish, a sealed easy to clean surface.  Drawbacks:  Not all materials are compatible with vapor smoothing.  Vibratory Tumbling:  Vibratory tumbling is another method for smoothing the surface of the orthotic. The orthotic is placed in a machine with small media (such as stones or ceramic) that gently polishes the surface.  Benefits:  Effective for large batches, smooths out imperfections.  Drawbacks:  Time-consuming, may not achieve the same finish as vapor smoothing.  Raw Finish:  Some orthotics are left with a raw finish straight out of the printer. While this is the fastest option, it may not provide the same level of aesthetic or comfort benefits as other post-processing methods.  Benefits:  Quick, no additional processing required. May be completely fine, if the orthotic is being covered with layers Drawbacks:  Rougher texture, may be less comfortable for patients.  Conclusion:  Post-processing is an essential part of the 3D printing workflow, ensuring that the final orthotic meets both functional and aesthetic standards. Whether through dyeing, smoothing, or leaving the orthotic in its raw state, these techniques allow clinicians to tailor the orthotic to the specific needs of the patient while enhancing the overall quality of the product.

Welcome to week 3! The advanced manufacturing era has revolutionized the orthotics industry, making it possible to produce customized, high-quality orthotics with unprecedented speed and precision. But with so many 3D printing technologies and materials available, choosing the right combination for your clinic's needs can be daunting. Let’s dive into the most common 3D printing methods and materials for orthotics, comparing their benefits and limitations to help you make informed decisions.    Top 3D Printing Technologies for Orthotics   1. Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)   FDM is a widely accessible 3D printing method that works by extruding melted thermoplastic layer by layer.  Pros : Affordable, suitable for simpler orthotic designs, and easy to access.  Cons : Lower accuracy, rougher surface finishes, and fewer material options compared to advanced methods.  2. Selective Laser Sintering (SLS)   Using lasers to fuse powdered material, SLS creates durable and complex designs with a smooth finish.  Pros : Perfect for intricate geometries, highly durable, and provides excellent surface quality.  Cons : Higher costs and less availability in smaller clinics.  3. Multi Jet Fusion (MJF)   HP's MJF technology uses binding agents and heat to produce orthotics with exceptional speed and precision.  Pros : Outstanding accuracy, fast production, smooth finishes, ideal for complex designs, and well suited to large batches  Cons : Requires specialized equipment with a higher upfront cost.  4. Material Jetting (MJ)   This method involves jetting liquid materials that are cured layer by layer with UV light, delivering unmatched precision.  Pros : Exceptional detail, multi-material capability, and high-quality finishes.  Cons : Expensive and less commonly used for orthotics.  Choosing the Right Technology   Choosing of 3D printing technology often depends on your clinic's budget, the complexity of the orthotic design, and material requirements. For high-precision, durable orthotics, SLS and MJF   are leading options, while FDM and MJ work well for simpler or more specialized needs.    Exploring Material Options for 3D Printed Orthotics   The choice of material directly impacts the strength, flexibility, and comfort of orthotics. Here are the most popular materials used in 3D printing orthotics and their key characteristics. We will be focusing on the MJF materials we offer here at Tempus 3D of course! 1. PA-12 (Nylon 12)   A durable, flexible, and biocompatible material ideal for everyday o rthotics.Th is is hte most common material we do by far! Pros : High strength, impact resistance, and versatility.  Cons : May require additional finishing for smoother surfaces.  2. TPU (Thermoplastic Polyurethane)   Known for its rubber-like flexibility, TPU is perfect for orthotics requiring cushioning and shock absorption.  Pros : Excellent flexibility and comfort for patients.  Cons : Less durable and may wear faster over time.  3. PA-11 (Nylon 11)   A lightweight, bio-based material offering similar benefits to PA-12 with added flexibility.  Pros : Strong, and ideal for lightweight orthotics.  Cons : Slightly more expensive than PA-12.    Making the Right Choice for Your Patients   Selecting the right 3D printing technology and material is a balancing act between performance, cost, and patient needs. While PA-12   and TPU are versatile and widely used, materials like PA-11 cater to more specific requirements. Similarly, advanced printing methods like MJF excel in precision and durability, ensuring the highest quality outcomes for patients.  At Tempus 3D, we provide access to MJF technologies and materials, ensuring you have the right tools for any orthotic design challenge. We would love help you create orthotics that enhance patient comfort and mobility with the precision of advanced manufacturing!

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Describe your service here. What makes it great? Use short catchy text to tell people what you offer, and the benefits they will receive. A great description gets readers in the mood, and makes them more likely to go ahead and book.

Describe your service here. What makes it great? Use short catchy text to tell people what you offer, and the benefits they will receive. A great description gets readers in the mood, and makes them more likely to go ahead and book.