Research

Additive manufacturing is a blanket term that refers to computer designed objects that are manufactured by adding and bonding materials in layers. In most traditional manufacturing methods material is milled/ cut away or cast to form the object.
Additive fabrication (AF) has developed into three basic categories: lower-cost 3D printing for product design and concept modelling; mid-range systems for fit and function applications and master patterns; and high-end systems for the rapid manufacture of custom and short-run production parts. This technology is used by engineers to better understand and communicate their product designs and to make rapid tooling to manufacture those products. Surgeons, architects, artists and individuals from many other disciplines use the technology to build custom implants, make architectural models create sculptures and much more.

The objects are designed on computer in a specialised 3d design program. Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) is used make the physical object. The object is "printed" layer by layer building up the 3d form by fusing thin layers of nylon material with a laser. Most of the objects are sintered using an EOSINT machine in polyamide. http://www.eos.com

This process using a CO2 laser to sinter or fuse a powder material. The laser traces the part's cross sectional geometry layer by layer. SLS creates accurate and durable parts but finish out of machine is not as good as SLA. If you need to produce parts that are capable of withstanding the harsh test environments or limited volumes of end-use parts then Selective Laser Sintering is probably right for you. Sintering has taken on a new level of applications with Direct Manufacturing.

One basic design can be morphed, or scaled into a hundred different objects, each one unique. It is possible to make objects that have been impossible to manufacture before, hinges, and loose objects inside parts can be manufactured at the same time. I can design in my studio in Pretoria and have the printing done in Belgium, Bloemfontein or New York, right where the customer is, virtually no carbon footprint!

NOMILI offers lighting, jewellery, sculptural objects, art prints, consulting and much more. We have expertise in areas ranging from art, 3D design, computer vision and custom medical implant design. Due the versatile and customisable nature of digital design and manufacturing all the objects are customizable. The sculptures can be resized to become lights, and the lights made smaller to become jewellery. Parts made out of Nylon can be printed in metal, and vice-versa.

Polyamide PA2200 (Nylon 12) is by far the most common material used in SLS, parts have good long term stability, offering resistance to most chemicals. It is harmless to the environment and safe to use with foodstuff. Complexity is irrelevant and the material delivers the impact strength and durability required for functional testing. Tensile and flexural strength combine to make tough prototypes, with the flex associated with many production thermoplastics.

There are a wide range of materials available, depending on the machine and process used such as Epoxy resin, Polyamide, Alumide, polystyrene, ABS plastic, sand, bronze, steel, paper and thermoplastic soluble support material for jewellery casting.




FAQ about NOMILI's 3D objects 1. What are Rapid prototyping, Additive manufacture and 3D printing? Additive manufacturing is a blanket term that refers to computer designed objects that are manufactured by adding and bonding materials in layers. In most traditional manufacturing methods material is milled/ cut away or cast to form the object. Additive fabrication (AF) has developed into three basic categories: lower-cost 3D printing for product design and concept modelling; mid-range systems for fit and function applications and master patterns; and high-end systems for the rapid manufacture of custom and short-run production parts. This technology is used by engineers to better understand and communicate their product designs and to make rapid tooling to manufacture those products. Surgeons, architects, artists and individuals from many other disciplines use the technology to build custom implants, make architectural models create sculptures and much more. 2. What process do you use to manufacture your objects? The objects are designed on computer in a specialised 3d design program. Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) is used make the physical object. The object is "printed" layer by layer building up the 3d form by fusing thin layers of nylon material with a laser. Most of the objects are sintered using an EOSINT machine in polyamide. http://www.eos.com SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) This process using a CO2 laser to sinter or fuse a powder material. The laser traces the part's cross sectional geometry layer by layer. SLS creates accurate and durable parts but finish out of machine is not as good as SLA. If you need to produce parts that are capable of withstanding the harsh test environments or limited volumes of end-use parts then Selective Laser Sintering is probably right for you. Sintering has taken on a new level of applications with Direct Manufacturing. EOS, 3D Systems, Further reading on SLS 3. Why is this method of production so special? One basic design can be morphed, or scaled into a hundred different objects, each one unique. It is possible to make objects that have been impossible to manufacture before, hinges, and loose objects inside parts can be manufactured at the same time. I can design in my studio in Pretoria and have the printing done in Belgium, Bloemfontein or New York, right where the customer is, virtually no carbon footprint! 3. What are the products and services that you can offer your clients? NOMILI offers lighting, jewellery, sculptural objects, art prints, consulting and much more. We have expertise in areas ranging from art, 3D design, computer vision and custom medical implant design. Due the versatile and customisable nature of digital design and manufacturing all the objects are customizable. The sculptures can be resized to become lights, and the lights made smaller to become jewellery. Parts made out of Nylon can be printed in metal, and vice-versa. 4. What is the white material you use? Polyamide PA2200 (Nylon 12) is by far the most common material used in SLS, parts have good long term stability, offering resistance to most chemicals. It is harmless to the environment and safe to use with foodstuff. Complexity is irrelevant and the material delivers the impact strength and durability required for functional testing. Tensile and flexural strength combine to make tough prototypes, with the flex associated with many production thermoplastics. 5. Where can I have something printed? Search for a rapid prototyping/ 3D printing bureau in your country, or look at http://home.att.net/~castleisland/sb_cid.htm. In South Africa the Centre for Rapid Prototyping and Manufacture offers a great service and boasts the most Rapid prototyping machines in Africa. 7. What other materials are available? There are a wide range of materials available, depending on the machine and process used such as Epoxy resin, Polyamide, Alumide, polystyrene, ABS plastic, sand, bronze, steel, paper and thermoplastic soluble support material for jewellery casting. 8. Where can I find out more? http://www.addictlab.be/index.php/michaella http://home.att.net/~castleisland/home.htm http://www.cut.ac.za/crpm/indexcrpm.asp.html