3D Printing Services for Chepstowe

With 3D Printing we can provide rapid prototyping or final solutions for you ideas, or products. 3D Printing is the future of product development for all plastic shapes, which can be assembled together to more complex (possible moving) prototype or product. To learn more about 3D Printing please see Wikipedia.

To get more information and pricing, please email us your 3D computer model. We accept most file types, however we would prefer a STL (.stl), OBJ (.obj), STEP (.stp) or IGES (.igs).

3D Printing via Stereolithography (SLA)

We can provide you with 3D prints via Stereolithography (SLA). From our experience SLA 3D Printing is the best 3D Printing technology. Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) 3D prints are high precision, but are weak and generally not suitable for function testing. In the past we have used FDM 3D Printing for function testing, due to its high strength. However SLA is just as strong as FDM, if not stronger with some resins. The only issue with SLA is it is more costly.

In summary SLA 3D Printing is high resolution, high strength & precision, and outstanding surface finish!

SLA Printing Areas

• Form-2 - 145 L x 145 W x 175 H mm

NOTE: We can create bigger parts, via splitting and gluing.

SLA Resolution

0.05mm or 0.025mm (however we generally do flexible at 0.1mm).

NOTE: We can do higher resolutions, if you would like to save on time and machine-hour costs.

Tech Specs / Resin Datasheets

https://formlabs.com/3d-printers/tech-specs/

SLA Material / Resin

Standard Resin - Delivers the highest-quality output, captures astonishing detail without sacrificing durability and toughness.

Heat Deflection Temp:

@ ~65 psi	73°C
@ ~260 psi	58°C

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High Temp Resin - Has an HDT of 289°C @ 0.45 MPa—the highest on the 3D Printing materials market. This material is great for static applications that will undergo higher temperatures. High Temp can also be used for production processes such as casting and thermoforming.

Heat Deflection Temp:

@ ~65 psi	289°C
@ ~260 psi	130°C

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Tough Resin - Designed to simulate ABS plastic, with comparable tensile strength and modulus. Perfect for functional prototyping, this sturdy, shatter-resistant material has been developed to withstand high stress and strain.

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Flexible Resin - Simulates an 80A durometer rubber. Use this versatile material to produce parts that need to bend and compress. Flexible is excellent for simulating soft-touch materials and adding ergonomic features to multi-material assemblies. Printing is a quicker process then FDM flexible and with a much smaller layer resolution (0.1mm), resulting in a very nice finished compared to FDM flexible printing however, the material is more expensive.

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Durable Resin - Designed to simulate polypropylene (PP) plastic, with comparable low modulus and high-impact strength. Use this wear-resistant, ductile material when parts require deformation and a smooth, glossy finish.

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Castable Resin - Formulated to capture breathtaking detail, allowing you to prototype jewelry cost effectively. Designed to capture precise details and smooth surfaces. It burns out cleanly without ash or residue, allowing jewelers and casting houses to go straight from digital design to a 3D print suitable for direct investment casting.

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Dental Model Resin - Designed for crown and bridge models with removable dies, Dental Model Resin is a high-precision, high-accuracy resin. Print crisp margins and contacts within ± 35 microns, and removable dies with consistently tight fit. A smooth, matte surface finish and color similar to gypsum make it easy to switch from analog to digital model production.

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Dental SG Resin - An autoclavable, Class 1 biocompatible resin, Dental SG is designed for printing precise surgical guides and similar devices. Read our white paper to learn how we verified the performance of Dental SG, now trusted by clinicians for thousands of implant surgeries.

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Dental LT Clear Resin - A Class IIa biocompatible resin, the high fracture and wear resistance of Dental LT Clear make it ideal for splints, retainers, and other direct-printed orthodontic devices. With a clear color, it polishes to high optical transparency for beautiful final products. Dental LT Clear will be availble for purchase soon, sign up below for updates.

3D Printing via Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)

We can also provide you with 3D prints via Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) 3D printers, which is great for quick validation of your physical design. The primary issue with these prints is shrinkage and warpage can occur on models and is purely geometry dependent.

FDM Printing Areas

• UP BOX+ - 255 L x 255 W x 205 H mm
  (ideal for high quality/precision)
• Replicator Z18 - 305 L x 305 W x 457 H mm
  (ideal for large prints)
• Replicator 2X - 246 L x 152 W x 155 H mm
  (ideal for filament experimentation)

NOTE: We can create bigger parts, via splitting and plastic welding or gluing.

FDM Resolution

0.1mm (however we generally do flexible at 0.25mm).

NOTE: We can do higher resolutions, if you would like to save on time and machine-hour costs.

FDM Material / Filament

Other materials/colours are possible, but adds lead time.

ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) Filament - A copolymer which is made of styrene, acryl and butadiene. It is impact resistant and tough. Suitable for most prototypes, expect long thin objects. Can shrink when cooling down. Suffers from thermal contraction issues (up to +/- 1mm on large parts).

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PLA (Polylactic Acid) Filament - A degradable bioplastic derived from plants. Suitable for long thin objects. Crystallise when cooling down, so can do bigger shapes.

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PET (Strongest) Filament - Stronger than many ABS filaments and has the higher print success rates of PLA. Ideal for anything functional that needs toughness with some flex.

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Primalloy (Flexible) Filament - Pliable rubber material with outstanding heat, oil and abrasion resistance as well as superior mechanical strength.

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NinjaFlex (Flexible) Filament - Uniquely flexible, strong prints ideal for direct-drive extruders. Suitable for seals, gaskets, plugs, leveling feet, protective applications. Needs to be printed at slower speeds with a larger layer resolution (0.25mm), which may result in showing visible layer lines.

To 3D print an object, a 3D computer model is required. You have three options:

1. Email us your 3D computer model - we accept most file types, however we would prefer a STL (.stl), OBJ (.obj), STEP (.stp) or IGES (.igs).
2. Ask us to create your 3D computer model.
3. 3D scanning and post-processing.

Our capacity: 1x SLA 3D printer and 3x FDM 3D printers.

Our printing prices are based on three factors:

1. Man-hours: Includes print setup, part removal, support material removal, hand finishing where required, assembly if required, and in some large part cases gluing or plastic welding. This is done at our typical mechanical engineers hourly rate.
2. Machine-hours: Rate based on type of machine (e.g. SLA or FDM). This is a low hourly rate.
3. Materials: The cost of the filament or resin used for the print. The material includes the actual part and the support material. Generally a negligible cost.

Our minimum order is $180 + GST, mostly due to the labour involved for support material removal and hand finishing if/where required.

Are you looking for a one-off part to replace something that is broken, or no longer on the market? Unfortunately, we are confident that in most cases 3D Printing services is not financially feasible.

Generally 3D Printing is used for new product development prototyping. And therefore is a cheaper alternative to production methods such as plastic injection moulding, blow moulding, etc.

As a multidisciplinary Australian engineering and product development company established in 2001, COLETEK is dedicated to helping businesses across Chepstowe, Victoria, Australia thrive through reliability, collaboration, and capability. With our national reputation built on trust and innovation, we provide tailored support for industries throughout the region.

At COLETEK, we take pride in operating from our base in Chepstowe, Victoria, Australia while serving clients nationwide. Our team of engineers, product development experts, and strategists work closely with businesses to craft solutions that meet their unique needs and drive success. By partnering with us, you gain access to the expertise, resources, and market insight required to stay ahead in today's fast-paced economy.

Throughout Chepstowe, Victoria, Australia, businesses recognize the value of COLETEK's long-standing presence, deep understanding of local industries, and commitment to innovation. From product design and development to testing and manufacturing, we offer end-to-end support that empowers companies to build upon their strengths and overcome challenges.

Whether you're seeking customized solutions for your Chepstowe-based business or requiring assistance for projects spanning across Australia, COLETEK is here to help. Our expertise spans multiple disciplines, allowing us to tackle complex problems with precision and versatility. With our guidance, companies in Chepstowe can focus on what matters most: growing their operations, innovating, and staying competitive.

COLETEK's foundation lies in the engineering and product development principles that have guided our success since 2001. As a trusted partner for businesses throughout Australia, we're dedicated to serving the diverse needs of clients across regions like Chepstowe, Victoria, Australia. Our multidisciplinary expertise and commitment to collaborative problem-solving enable us to deliver tailored solutions that resonate with local industries.