stereolithography

World’s First 3D Printed College Hoops Tournament Bracket

Realize, Inc. creates the world’s first 3D Printed College Hoops Tournament Bracket.

We are building something new each month using 3D Printing technology and for March we decided to create the World’s First (that we know of) 3D Printed College Hoops Tournament Bracket. We hope you enjoy all that March Madness has to offer and we will update the 3D Bracket all the way through until a champion is crowned in Indianapolis.

The Realize, Inc. College Hoops 3D Printed Bracket: The Final Four

The Realize, Inc. 3D Printed College Hoops Tournament Bracket.

The Realize, Inc. 3D Printed College Hoops Bracket – Sweet 16

March 19, 2015 Blog

QuickCast at Realize

QuickCast at Realize, Inc.

Using Stereolithography 3D Printing technology, more commonly referred to as SLA, Realize has the ability and expertise to create investment casting patterns for foundries.

Utilizing a highly specialized build-style known as QuickCast, foundries have access to an alternative solution to traditional wax patterns, which can be expensive and time consuming to produce. A Quickcast pattern is an SLA model, but differs in that it has a thin skin that surrounds a matrixed internal structure. Not only does this give the pattern rigidity, but it also allows the structure to collapse upon itself during the burnout process, minimizing the risk of a cracked shell.

QuickCast can provide a smooth and accurate pattern that can be ready for you in days. Time and cost savings can be significant as compared to traditional wax patterns, especially for complex geometries. QuickCast may be the alternative solution for you, and Realize stands ready and eager to help you with your next investment casting project.

Please visit us at www.realizeinc.com or contact a member of our expert team at 317-915-0295 to discuss your investment casting needs!

March 13, 2015 Blog

Realize Featured Client: ICS

Hydraulic Housing, A60 Resin and cast 316 stainless, side by side.

Realize CLient Profile: ICS/Girard

We help ICS and Girard Equipment by providing them with QuickCast patterns created from one of our SLA machines. This type of work is unique from a standard SLA job because in the end, the pattern will be used to make a metal part. These individual SLA patterns are used by foundries as part of a process called investment casting which will produce one metal part for every SLA pattern used. More specifically, the work we do for Girard helps them create short run metal prototypes for the tanker trailer industry and when they reach out to us we are able to supply them with fast turnaround, high- quality QuickCast patterns. We asked ICS Foundry Manager Bill Laiacono a few questions about the industry and how they use additive manufacturing for their business.

Tell us about your business.

ICS is a captive foundry, supplying stainless steel investment castings to Girard Equipment, Inc., manufacturer of vents and valves for the bulk liquid transport industry.

How do you use 3D Printing/Additive Manufacturing/QuickCast to help with your projects?

Mainly prototyping. With the help of Realize, Inc., we can take a part from idea to cast and machined stainless steel in less than a week.

What is your overall feedback about our services and are there any examples of how Realize has helped your business?

Every interaction with Realize, Inc. has been a positive one. Realize has always been responsive, quick to produce and very reasonably priced. Customer service is pleasant and accommodating too.

How can Realize can help your business in the future?

By simply providing the same quality, value and responsiveness we have come to expect from Realize.

Why do you think there is such a growing buzz about the 3D Printing/Additive Manufacturing industry?

The diversity and range of 3D printing has grown immensely. Because of 3D printing, items can now be realized in a matter of hours that used to take weeks. The results are almost instant.

What is something that you personally would like to have 3D Printed?

A custom wall mounted bottle opener. I appreciate the simple function of a unique bottle opener.

March 5, 2015 Blog

Realize Featured Product: FOGO

Realize Featured Project: Fogo Ultimate Adventure Gadget

It’s always exciting to work on new projects that have the potential for coolness like the new Fogo Ultimate Adventure Tool Gadget! Many times we are working on projects that get the entire Realize, Inc. team buzzing with enthusiasm, but we’re not always able to talk about everything we do, some projects are TOP SECRET. So it’s with great pleasure we share some information about this cool little gadget known as Fogo. We talked with Co-Founder Dustin Bouch about his new product.

Realize: Tell us about your product.

Dustin: The Fogo is an outdoor device that combines a GPS receiver, powerful LED flashlight, digital walkie-talkie, and USB back up battery. It helps keep outdoor enthusiasts safe and lightens their load.

How did you use Realize and 3D Printing to help with you project?

We utilized Realize to prototype all the plastic components during the development phase. This included a couple snap fit parts and a light guide that Realize did a great job of polishing and clear coating for us to make it 100% functional. Realize gave us great parts with a fast turnaround time.

How do you think you will use additive manufacturing in the future and are there any new directions or capabilities you would like to see in the industry?

We will continue to use 3D printing to support our development efforts for the foreseeable future. We look forward to seeing stronger materials.

What were the biggest challenges with creating the Fogo Adventure Gadget?

Our biggest challenge was packaging a lot of parts and electronics into a small envelope. We also have some tough constraints for durability and waterproofing that required a lot of effort in analysis, iterative design and testing.

With such a cool product coming out is there a follow up idea you have ready to go?

The Fogo has an interchangeable component capability that we call the SmartCap. It allows the user to swap SmartCaps on and off the device to add hardware capability and configure the device for different activities. For example, the walkie-talkie is actually part of a SmartCap, so our customers can either buy the Fogo now with the walkie-talkie functionality or buy it and plug it in later down the road. We have immediate plans to make additional SmartCaps such as a Satellite Modem SmartCap, Avalanche Beacon SmartCap and Laser Range Finder SmartCap.

What is something that you personally would like to have 3D Printed?

I would love to 3D print a replica of my dog Lou! He is a 20 pound terrier poodle mix and it would be amazing to have a little statue of him in my house to torment him with!

Where can people get more info on the Fogo?

We are running a Kickstarter campaign so we can raise money to get the Fogo out on the trail. Please check out our Kickstarter page

February 25, 2015 Blog

The Realize 3D Printed item of the month

Each month we will create something timely and fun to share with everyone using all of our resources at Realize, Inc. For February it’s all about LOVE.

Check out our 3D Printed Candy Hearts we produced in honor of Valentine’s Day.

February 13, 2015 Blog

Itar Registered

All posts tagged: stereolithography