Morsch Machine offers 3D printing capabilities to enhance the customer experience and increase efficiency and innovation within the company. This technique allows for the production of exact models of parts for simulation as an aid to programming in a timely and cost effective manner.
Printing Capabilities
A Prusa i3 MK3S Multi-Material 3D printing unit is used, which provides the following capabilities:
- Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) additive manufacturing of plastics and co-polymers
- Build volume of 9.84" W x 8.3" L x 8.3" H
- Capable of five different materials/colors in one print
- Cartesian CNC control with travel speeds of up to 250 mm/s and repeatability within +/- 0.003"
- Maximum volumetric output of 14 mm^3 per second
- All-metal high-temperature hotend, compatible with engineering plastics
- Max hotend temperature is 300ºC (572ºF)
Current Applications
3D printing capabilities are used in a variety of applications, including:
- Rapid prototyping
- Producing manufacturing fixtures
- Producing assembly aids
- Designing and producing custom tools and hardware
Materials Used
A variety of materials are employed, including:
- PLA Plastic- this plastic is the most common material used in 3D printing, and allows for the production of high quality, heat resistant parts
- ABS/PETG Plastic- this material is used widely in mass-produced building toys, and creates parts that are resistant to high temperatures and UV rays
- Nylon- nylon is a good material for producing functional or load-bearing parts
- Flexible Plastics- we currently print with TPU and TPE flexible plastics; many different combinations of plastics are available to help produce certain characteristics in printed parts (e.g. shock resistance, increased flexibility, ease of printing, etc.)
- Particle-Filled PLA/HTPLA- this material is made with particles or fibers that mimic the texture, surface, and/or strength of certain materials such as carbon fiber, steel, brass, copper, iron, and conductive materials; these materials can be oven cured in order to increase temperature and UV resistance
- Poly Carbonate (PC)- PC is an engineering grade material that withstands high temperatures and strain
- PVA Plastic- this plastic is water-soluble and is used as a support material in very complex prints, helping to produce detailed, high quality parts