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Following a webinar and white paper on 3D printing jigs and fixtures, Siva Cycle Founder Aaron Latzke explained some ways in which 3D printed components could be used in conjunction with off-the-shelf materials to derive the greatest functionality from any given part. In continuing with our goal of sharing information as we navigate the frontier of additive manufacturing, Mechanical Engineer Alexei Samimi looked into how additively manufactured parts can be used with a wide variety of traditional fasteners when additional strength or versatility is required.
Samimi’s investigation proved fruitful as each fastener test demonstrated the durability and extreme functionality of the FDM-based parts (built on a Fortus 900mc at Fathom). Likewise, for the parts 3D printed on Fathom’s Objet Connex3, he explains various methods to combine PolyJet materials with off-the-shelf parts while maintaining function and preventing damage to the 3D printed material.
Inserts with external threads, helical inserts, press-inserts, twist-resistant press-fits, heat-set inserts, chicago screws, magnets, blind rivets, grooved clevis pins, thread-forming screws, thread-cutting screws, captive nuts and overprinted captive nuts. Read the full article to learn more about using fasteners with 3D printed parts.
Credit / / Threaded insert CAD files acquired from www.mcmaster.com
Ready to get started? Upload your file to our online quoting and ordering system—check out Fathom’s SmartQuote platform offers FDM, SLS, MJF, PolyJet and SLA.
At Fathom we offer a unique advantage of speed and agility-our experts help companies go from concept to prototype to manufacturing in ways not previously possible.
| 90+ Machines | |
| SLS / / Two-day | SLA / / Next-day |
| FDM / / Next-day | DMLS / / Three-day |
| PolyJet / / Same-day | MJF / / Two-day |
| 30 Second Quotes |
| Prototype Tool / / As soon as 10 days |
| 10K Parts / / 10 days |
| Production Tool / / As soon as 3 weeks |
3 & 5 Axis Milling & Turning
(Plastics, Composites and Metals)
Tolerance Accuracy Range
from +/-0.001″ to 0.005″
Injection Molding Adjacent
without High Costs of Metal Tools
Most Commonly Used for High-Volume
Prototyping & Bridge to Production
Finishing, Production Painting and Color Matching
Assembling, Including Embedded Electronic
Components, Threaded Inserts, and More
Highly Trained Staff / / Full-Time & Part-Time
Support as Short-Term & Long-Term Strategy
Decrease Downtime with Customizable
Staffing Accelerates Implementation
Let’s get started.
Fathom is driven by advanced technologies and methods that enhance and accelerate today’s product development and production processes.
