Rapid Prototyping Benchmark - 3D Printers

Table of Contents

 Page No.

 

I. Overview1

 

Testing Procedures2

 

II. System Expense and Throughput3

 

Acquisition Expense3

 

Annual Operating Expense3

 

Hourly Cost 4

 

III. Prototype Time and Expense5

 

Averaged Results5

 

Prototype Cost5

 

Prototype Time5

 

Conclusions6

 

Results by Test Part7

 

Prototype Cost 7

 

Prototype Time8

 

IV. Quality9

 

Averaged Results9

 

Dimensional Accuracy9

 

Conclusion11

 

Results by Test Part11

 

Dimensional Accuracy11

 

Surface Finish12

 

V. Rapid Prototyping Index15

 

VI. Conclusion17

 

Appendix A - System Overview and Benchmark Build Parameters18

 

Z40618

 

QuadraTempo18

 

Dimension18

 

MDX-65019

 

Viper si219

 

PatternMaster19

 

ThermoJet20

 

Appendix B - Observations from Benchmark Parts21

 

General Observations21

 

System and Prototype Observations21

 

Z40621

 

QuadraTempo23

 

Dimension24

 

MDX-65026

 

Viper si227

 

PatternMaster28

 

ThermoJet29

 

Appendix C - Supplementary Charts, Tables and Diagrams31

 

Appendix D- Procedures, Formulas and Assumptions39

 

Testing Procedures 39

 

Dimensional and Surface Finish Inspection41

 

Dimensional Inspection 41

 

Surface Finish41

 

Formulas and Assumptions42

 

Appendix E - Acknowledgements44

 

Contact information:
Todd Grimm
T. A. Grimm & Associates, Inc.
3028 Beth Court, Edgewood, Kentucky 41017
Phone: (859) 331-5340      Fax: (859) 514-9721
tgrimm@tagrimm.com      www.tagrimm.com

T. A. Grimm logo and Marketing Engineered for Sales Results
are service marks of T. A. Grimm & Associates, Inc.