Almost Any Business in Houston, TX, Can Benefit From 3D Printing
If your business can benefit from 3D manufacturing but you don’t have the resources to invest in industrial 3D print technology, ProTek Models and 3D Printing in Houston, TX can help. Protek provides both FDM and SLA 3D print options and offers customers many choices when it comes to print materials and finishing options. We’ve done work for a wide range of Houston area businesses, including those in the aerospace, automotive, defense, medical, energy, and consumer electronic industries.
Contact ProTek Models and 3D Printing to speak to our team of engineers and designers to learn more about our commercial 3D print services in Houston, TX.
What is 3D Printing?
3D printing is an additive manufacturing process. Traditional subtractive manufacturing processes use cutters, grinders, and other tools to remove material from a workpiece. Additive manufacturing takes the opposite approach. 3D printers create a workpiece (based on instructions from a digital file) by applying layer upon layer of a construction material until the desired shape and dimension have been achieved.
Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) and Stereolithography (SLA) are the two most popular 3D print technologies. Multi Jet Fusion MJF), Digital Light Processing (DLP), Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), and Electron Beam Melting (EBM) are examples of other types of 3D print technologies.
Since its introduction in the late 1980s, 3D printing technology has advanced by leaps and bounds. Today, there seems to be no end to the applications of 3D printing. Auto parts, aircraft parts, and even replacement body parts are just a few examples of the items created using 3D printing.
3D printing is particularly useful for rapid prototyping, production of one-off or custom parts, and small to medium production runs.
The Advantages of 3D Printing for Houston, TX Businesses
Why should you consider 3D printing? Here are a few of the advantages Houston-area businesses realize from using 3D printing as part of their design and manufacturing processes:
- Custom or one-off parts can be manufactured on demand.
- Quicker and more cost-effective prototyping greatly streamlines the research and development process
- A wide range of production materials can be used, including plastic, resin, and metal.
- 3D printing can produce pieces with complex geometries, intricate surface features, and customized shapes that would be difficult or impossible to achieve using traditional manufacturing techniques.
- No special tooling or set-up is required.
- Less waste is produced since 3D printing creates a workpiece by adding material rather than removing it.
- 3D printing is widely accessible and enables local production
- Printing on demand reduces inventory costs
- Parts can be created for specific properties such as water resistance, heat resistance, durability, and UV resistance.
Speak With ProTek About Your 3D Print Project
Founded in 2003, ProTek Models and 3D Printing is recognized as one of the leaders in commercial 3D print services in Houston, TX. No job is too big or too complicated for us to handle. Our capabilities include rapid prototyping, custom scale model construction, urethane castings, custom and replacement auto parts, and more.
Located just north of Houston in Conroe, TX, ProTek Models serves businesses all over the Houston area and the Lone Star state. You can contact us through our website or call us at (832) 968-6636 to learn how we can help you with your 3D printing project.