12 — AM Supplement
F E A T U R E
F E A T U R E
and painting, for example) that would have been
required to achieve the requested surface fnish
on these stereolithography (SLA) parts. The com-
pany therefore had to subcontract those services,
adding time to the job. "This demonstrated the
value of upfront communication to establish cus-
tomer expectations in relation to our capabilities,"
Sieber explains.
Another key insight Currier has gained is
understanding the importance of part orienta-
tion to the 3D printing process. Every additive
machine has a build tray or platform, but the key
to a successful and effcient build is how the part
is oriented on the tray. "Remember the commer-
cial that said, 'If it fts, it ships'? Well, we use the
same motto here. If it fts on the tray and within
the envelope, it can build," Kieffer says.
However, orientation of the part is important,
as it impacts the amount of material used in the
build and the placement of support material
The only way to help determine an appropriate material inven-
tory is to track history and usage. Every material has a shelf
life, so verify the date stamp on the product to avoid waste.
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