Our expertise in rapid prototyping and 3D layer technology has lead us to become increasingly involved in large 3D printing. Whether its large scale models to large exhibition models we are happy to help you achieve and surpass your requirements.
The two main types of 3D printing used are Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) and Stereolithography (SLA). Both are ideal for use in models as well as engineering components. Each has their advantages and disadvantages. With every client having different requirements we are able to take advantage of each process and work with the client to offer them the path to achieve the product they want.
Staying at the Forefront of Large 3D Printing
Large 3D printing has often been controlled by cost and the printable volume. With constant advancements in technology allowing bigger and more cost effective models to be produced, we have always stayed at the forefront of this. Offering these benefits to our customers, but as with everything there are always some jobs that just push these boundaries too far. This is where our years of experience as model makers come in to play. As we can apply these techniques to produce 3D prints several times bigger than the actual printer will allow. This is done by splitting the model up into printable parts and joining them back together once printed. A process that will leave join lines showing where the parts were split. At J H May we are able to produce models that once finished and painted will be completely seamless and show no visual join lines. Additionally, the finished model will have the same strength as if it was printed as one single part.
These techniques also allows for larger printed models to be produced on a very tight time scale. As with a lot of projects lead time is a very import factor and being able to produce models quickly is a key advantage. Printing large models can often take days due to the vast volume. Whereas splitting up the model into several smaller parts can often be a lot more cost effective and quicker to print, while offering the customer the same end product.