|
|
|
|
Welcome to Coho Designs Rapid Prototyping Coho Designs, a privately-owned corporation in Palm Coast, Florida, is centrally located between Jacksonville and Daytona Beach, and specializes in Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM) rapid prototyping. In addition to rapid prototyping, Coho Designs provides solid-modeling, product development, and consulting services. Whether you're a high school or college student, small-time inventor/hobbyist, or a large, publicly-traded corporation, Coho Designs would like to assist you with integrating FDM rapid prototyping into your design process. Whether you need a rapid prototype to impress colleagues or professors on your final design presentation, earn a new business client's trust, sell your idea to the design team, or create rapid tooling for that one-off prototype build -- Coho Designs is here for you. Let us put our expertise in rapid prototyping to work for you by providing rapid 24-hour turn around on most parts, weekend rapid prototyping, fast and friendly customer support, and high-quality rapid prototypes. Call, Email or click GET Quote Upload File today for your personalized FDM rapid prototyping quote. Why Rapid Prototype?
Why FDM?
There are a myriad
of rapid prototyping technologies today, including, but not limited
to: FDM, SLA, SLS, 3DP, LOM, SRP, or MJM. However, all rapid prototypes
are not created equal. No one technology is better than another. All
rapid prototypes have their strengths and weaknesses. When looking to
have rapid prototypes made, one must consider and weigh several factors,
such as: cost, surface finish, strength, color, and print time. It just
so happens that FDM falls into a middle category -- offering a prototype
that is robust enough for most functional testing, flexible enough to
make functional snap-fit parts, dimensional accuracies of +/-.009 inch,
minimal wall thicknesses down to .02 inch, and can be printed in five
colors: red, blue, black, yellow, or white. It is this "jack-of-all-trades"
reason, that Coho Designs offers FDM prototyping to its customers. Other
colors are available upon request for an additional fee.
How Does the FDM process work?
The FDM process
starts with a customer's .STL file. Using proprietary software, the
.STL file is converted into a tool path. The tool path guides the extrusion
nozzle in a 3-dimensional space telling the nozzle to move left, right,
up or down. As the extrusion nozzle moves, it deposits an outline of
semi-molten ABS plastic onto a build plate inside of a large heated
chamber. Each layer consists of an area that has been outlined and cross
hatched with ABS material. Once this has been completed, support material
is extruded on the outer periphery to assist in the creation of the
part. Once that layer has been completed, the build plate lowers incrementally
and another layer is deposited. These layers fuse together to start
the formation of a part. This process is continually repeated until
a 3-D rapid prototype part emerges from the heated build chamber. After
printing, the prototype(s) are removed from the print chamber and are
ready for post processing. During post processing, support material
is detached from the rapid prototype. Then, depending on customer specifications
and finish requirements, light sanding is performed to remove any blemishes
or excess material. The rapid prototype is now completed!
Where do I start?
Before Rapid
Prototyping, your part needs to be created digitally in three dimensions.
This can be accomplished in a CAD software package capable of exporting
.STL files (most packages today are capable). To learn more about .STL
format click
here. Once your part has been created in a 3-D CAD format, it can
now be exported as a .STL file. .STL files are the files used to print
rapid prototypes.
If I do not have 3-D CAD software, what are my options?
Competition today
amongst CAD vendors is fierce. There are an abundance of vendors to
choose from. A few that come to mind are: SolidWorks ™, Pro-E
Wildfire ™, and Alibre Express ™. For a more complete list
of CAD vendors, click
here.
Some vendors are even providing their CAD packages completely FREE (with reduced feature capability) to anyone who chooses to download and register their CAD product! Alibre Express ™ : http://www.alibre.com/xpress/software/alibre-design-xpress.asp If you're a high school or college student, other companies sell there 3-D CAD packages (with full capability) at substantially reduced prices (typically under $100.00). SolidWorks ™ : http://www.studica.com/SolidWorks/ If I do not want to learn a 3-D CAD package, what are my options?
If you do not
want to go through the hassle of learning a 3-D CAD package, Coho Designs
offers solid modeling services to turn your drawings, sketches or ideas
into 3-D models and rapid prototypes. For this convenient service, call
or email today for your custom quote!
I am a student, what are my options?
At Coho Designs
we believe firmly in the benefits of a higher education and encourage
all students, from elementary to college age, to pursue their dreams
of a higher education. Hopefully, one day these students will become
leaders in the fields of engineering, design, architecture, mathematics,
or science. To promote learning and a higher education, Coho Designs
will print rapid prototypes for students at a substantial cost reduction,
thereby making it more affordable.
To qualify for this offer, attach your .STL file along with a scanned report card, or school ID (.pdf or .doc format) to the "Attach Files" field on the "Quote Request Form" click here. This information will not be used for any purpose other than verifying an individual's status as a student. Minors, parental consent is required. Parents, please black out any information which might be confidential (eg., Social Security number, or Student ID number). It is the intention of Coho Designs that these prototypes are used ONLY for their intended purpose as educational show pieces and are not to be sold or used for commercial purposes. |
|
| "I was very impressed and satisfied with the quality and professionalism of Coho Designs. Coho Designs not only took the time to answer all my questions, but assisted me in the design of my part. I would definitely use Coho Designs for all my future rapid prototyping needs as well as refer them to my colleagues." Anthony Kurdziel -A&M 3D Designs | ||
|
"Coho Designs has provided my clients with superb service on ABS rapid
prototype parts, often delivering parts the next day....Coho Designs understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of rapid prototyped parts have proven a product life saver on more than one occasion. " Tandy Watson- Product Design LLC. |
||
|
"Coho Designs, thanks for getting my idea out of my head and into my hands!
The quick turnaround and all your support from start to finish made this project easier than expected. I enjoyed working with you! ...Thanks again" Michael Wilson |
|
DISCLAIMER | CONTACT US © 2007 COHO DESIGNS, LLC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED |