C.ideas converts your 3D Cad model into a digitally manufactured part, also known as a 3D print, or rapid prototype. We produce your part(s) in actual thermoplastics, urethanes, acrylics and epoxy photopolymers.
Utilize our 3D prints for design evaluation; fit, form, function and presentations.
Aside from conceptual design, these parts are ideal for trade show models, marketing exercises, air flow analysis, drop testing and electronic RF testing. The 3D parts C.ideas creates can also be finished with paint, EMI shielded, vacuum metalized & electroplated.
Elastomer 3D prints and castings are ideal for creating: gaskets, overmolds, pads, bumpers, soft touch surfaces, tires, buttons and can even simulate leather, cartilage or skin.
When producing elastomer "rubber like" parts, C.ideas utilizes acrylics and urethane castings. For parts that require the fastest leadtimes, 1 to 3 days, we prefer Polyjet.
Ask about our proprietary C.ideas "GT" soaking process, which creates the most extreme Polyjet Tango elastomer parts available in this industry, no other service bureau can offer this!!!
For durometer specific, silicone or color matched parts, we recommend urethane casting. However, lead times can be longer than a week for casted parts.
Direct Digital Manufacturing (DDM) parts can be created in extremely low volumes or stretched over time to be thousands. The real benefit of having your parts printed as you need them digitally, is the ability to make changes during production, without incurring tooling changes (expensive and time consuming).
DDM is also ideal for bridge tooling. If you require components quickly & cannot wait for the final tool(s) to be completed, DDM offers a quick, simple solution (usually in actual thermoplastics) for parts needed immediately. In some instances DDM is also used in such items as; sculptures, field trials, thermoforming molds, jigs for assembly lines & CNC machining. Typical lead times vary from 1 to 2 days and up.
Rapid Manufacturing
Urethane Casting is ideal for "production looking" parts with quantities ranging from 1 to 250 units. Two part urethanes can mimic nearly any material in any durometer available today. Parts can be casted with texture or even a matched Pantone color (painted for metallics). Clear and even silicone rubber parts are available. Typical Lead times range from 7 to 21 days & can be expedited.
Injection Molding is ideal for quantities of 200 units and up, the real advantage is being able to choose one of the many thousands of actual thermoplastics available today and can produce thousands of parts quickly. Leadtimes are typically 4 to 6 weeks. Call for more information regarding, Injection Molding solutions.
With over 16 FDM machines, "Fused Deposition Modeling" is C.ideas' primary in-house and preferred 3D prototyping & 3D printing process. FDM, is an extrusion based 3d modeling process that utilizes actual thermoplastics, such as; ABS, Polycarbonate & ABS/PC blends.
Perfect for fit, function & conceptual models that require durability, great thermal properties & RF friendly characteristics. Aside from 3D Prints, FDM is an excellent process for DDM (Direct Digital Manufacturing), in which one or multiple parts are required in an actual production grade thermoplastics.
C.ideas FDM parts (ABS & ABSF1) can be produced in one of two resolutions. Standard; 0.010" layer slice, or High Res; 0.007" layer slice (part size may limit resolution choice).
C.ideas takes into consideration the overall strength, features and aesthetics when manually quoting your FDM parts. You may on occasion, see multiple line items for the same part indicating a different resolution or orientation. We do this in order to provide our customers the best part for their needs, all while considering their budget.
POLYJETPolyjet offers speed, quality and resolution at a surprisingly affordable price. Although we have the option for high and low res modes, C.ideas only produces Polyjet parts in the highest available layer setting, an astonishing 0.0006" (16 µ). This means smoother more accurate parts, faster and typically less expensive than our competitors. In fact, most high-res Polyjet jobs are processed and shipped within 24 hours of the order being placed.
Perfect for fit, function & conceptual models that require smooth contour surfaces and unparalleled detail as fine as 0.005" (text) and walls as thin as 0.010" (flat, orientation, non load bearing small walls). No other process except MJM HR, offers contour curves as smooth as Polyjet, without the need for additional post processing.
Aside from 6 fantastic rigid materials to choose from. We also offer 3 "Tango" elastomers (27a, 61a & 75a), which are now available with our exclusive in-house soaking process called C.ideas "GT". There is a very minor up-charge for "GT", but the strength is superior to any Tango; black, grey or plus parts offered by any other bureau.
MJMOriginally developed for the Dental and Jewelry industry, the Invision HR has an extremely high resolution layer slice. The HR material was designed to have less than 0.010% ash content, which make these parts ideal for creating precious metal masters, as well as, for spin casting small metal parts.
The parts are printed in a Royal Blue acrylic and because the support material is wax, complex structures such as wireframes and assemblies can be easily printed. The wax, is simply melted out from the final part leaving the complex structures intact.
Although MJM is fairly limited due to the small buildable area, it can still be ideal for complex, wireframe models extremely small assemblies and features not typically printable in processes, such as FDM, SLA or SLS.
The only downside to the wax support structures is that occasionally, there may still be a small amount of wax residue attached to the parts (which can be scraped or melted off with a heat gun). An ideal alternate process for these extremely high-res small parts, is Polyjet.
SLASLA (Stereo Lithography) is a process that is most commonly used by C.ideas, for creating urethane casting patterns, see thru bottles and parts for "lens like" clear applications. SLA is also used by many of our customers looking for large parts and housings with smooth production surfaces. They can easily be painted and used as show models.
Typically built with a 0.004" layer slice, large parts can be produced quickly and are included with a Standard finish level (Exterior, sanded smooth to remove visible layer lines). Large parts can be cost effective when ordering more than one unit at a time. If you are a model shop looking for "Support Removed Only" SRO parts, please notify us for reduced pricing Perfect for; fit, form, show models, as well as, master patterns when creating rubber molds.
URETHANE CASTINGUrethane Castings are perfect for creating "production looking" parts that also maintain the same properties of production parts. These rapid manufactured parts, albiet in smaller quantities, can typically be created in a shorter timeframe than traditional aluminum prototype tooling and injection molding. Each rubber mold yields (a guaranteed) 25 castings. These castings can be produced in a specific texture, PMS color and mimic nearly any production grade thermoplastics, as well as, nearly any durometer (Shore A thru D).
Urethane casted parts can be produced in clear, can be painted, plated and used just as you would any production part. They are a perfect solution to launching a brand new product prior to actual hard tooling, or as a an extremely limited production part. Ideal for field studies, marketing campaigns, meetings or trade shows.
From quantity 1 through 100+ units, Urethane castings can be produced in nearly any size. They "are" Rapid Manufactured parts. Depending on complexity and parts size, leadtimes are typically 7 to 24 days.
SLSSLS (Selective Laser Sintering) or LS (Laser Sintering) is ideal for creating parts in actual Nylon or Glass filled nylon.
These plastic parts in most cases are used in DDM (DIrect Digital Manufacturing), partly due to the speed in which the process can create multiple pieces at one time, as well as, the strength and thermal resistance the parts offer.
Once completed, the excess powder (used to support the part during the build) is simply shaken or blown off the final piece. The part may be used as is, or further processed with a sealant for water or air tight applications. It is not uncommon (like with the FDM process) to find parts produced in these high heat deflection materials, in the engine bay of a vehicle for testing.
Great for; DDM, fit and function models that do not require an ultra smooth surface. Parts can be dyed and are also available in an EX material (white or black) which is superb for snap fits, tabs or living hinges larger than 0.050".
