Search Results

Manufacturing end-use plastic parts with 3D printing technology is increasingly common as the materials and technologies become more advanced. High-performance coatings such as Cerakote are also becoming increasingly popular to improve the aesthetics and performance of the parts. Although powder coat is not commonly used on plastic, it is a familiar finish that can be an excellent baseline to use as a comparison for those who have not tried Cerakote before. What is Cerakote? Cerakote is a thin-film ceramic coating developed by NIC industries. Originally used on metal for military applications, Cerakote is becoming increasingly popular to improve the looks and performance of 3D printed plastic parts. Cerakote extremely durable and it can increase wear resistance, corrosion resistance, chemical resistance, and hardness of the base material. Cerakote is applied as a paint, then air dried or heat-cured to chemically bond it to the surface of the part. Cerakote is a very thin compared to powder coat, with minimal effect on the dimensions of the coated part. What is Powder Coating? Powder coating is a finishing process in which dry powder material is applied to a surface, then heat-treated to create a hard coating. Powder coating can provide both functional and decorative surface coatings in a range of finishes and textures that are not as achievable by liquid coating methods. Cerakote Advantages and Disadvantages Advantages Very thin, with a thickness of approximately 0.002”. Suitable for applications with a low dimensional tolerance. High abrasion resistance. Stable in UV light. Resistant to chemicals and fluids. High resistance to flaking and peeling. a Taber abrasion test on Cerakote H-146 Graphite Black, Cerakote lasted nearly twice as long as the nearest competitive finish and 24 times as long as the furthest competitive finish. Disadvantages More expensive than powder coating. Not the best choice if a thick or textured finish is desired. Powder Coating Advantages and Disadvantages Advantages Lower cost than Cerakote. Provides a thicker finish, if this is what is desired. Disadvantages Generally not used for plastics, due to the heat-curing process. Prone to chipping or peeling. Colors can be faded by UV light. Conclusion Overall, Cerakote and Powder coat are both excellent finishes and useful to enhance the performance, durability and looks of your end-use parts. When compared to powder coat, Cerakote is thinner, more resistant to chipping and scratching, and more stable in UV light. Cerakote also has excellent resistance to chemicals and liquids. When choosing a finish for plastic parts Cerakote is generally the finish of choice, as it is specifically formulated for a variety of plastics. __________________________________________________________________________________________ Tempus3D is an HP certified 3D printing service bureau based in British Columbia, Canada, offering advanced additive manufacturing solutions tailored to your production needs. We are one of Canada's most capable additive manufacturing service bureaus proudly serving Canadian customers from coast to coast. We specialize in HP MJF, Sinterit SLS, and Formlabs SLA technologies. Have a project in mind? Contact us at info@tempus3d.com to learn how we can support your next build. Let’s make it possible!

Pilot episode of Fix it in post our interview series where we discuss manufacturing and product design. In this eopisode we have Jonathan Guercio a designer who is working with generative tools to create FPV drones. You can find him on Instagram https://www.instagram.com/jonathansdigitalcraftsmanship/ Jonathan, a graduate of the Digital Fabrication and Design course at Selkirk College and former employee of Autodesk, discusses his experiences with generative design in Fusion 360. He focuses on how it enabled him to improve the design of his FPV drone. Tempus 3D is an HP certified 3D printing service bureau based in British Columbia, Canada, offering advanced additive manufacturing solutions tailored to your production needs. We specialize in HP MJF, Sinterit SLS, and Formlabs SLA technologies. Have a project in mind? Contact us at info@tempus3d.com to learn how we can support your next build. Let’s make it possible!

In this video I give an overview of the MJF 3D printing and post produciton processeses. For this part we used: Materialise Magics for slicing, HP 5200 series printer and processing station with PA12 Nylon Our modified wet media blaster A Princess Auto dry media blaster my proprietary dye system AMT Post Pro SFX vapor smoother Transcript "Hey Guys, Jordon from Tempus 3D here, I wanted to show you our manufacturing process for MJF and highlight some post production options we use right here in beautiful BC Canada. We start out in Magics which is our slicer of choice. I'm orientating the part this way for 2 major reasons, the first is that we need to allow heat to escape the prints, so ideally large holes face upward. The second reason is that with MJF printing the bottom surface will always have a better finish. Because this is a art piece that will mostly be viewed from above, I wanted that section to be facing down. There are a lot of other considerations to take into account to prevent various defects like in any type of manufacturing. Here you can see the part being extracted from the powder. The huge advantage to powder based printing is that we don't need to print any supports like in FDM or resin. We recapture most of the unused powder to be recycled back into the next build. we currently run 80% recycled powder. After the unpacking station comes the blasting, we use a modified wet media blaster to remove the bulk of the remaining powder. The advantages of wet blasting are reduced dust and longer media life. We do also dry blast the parts to get all the nooks and crannies, you can see I'm moving the gun constantly because the friction can actually burn the parts and cause damage if you arent careful. This would would be a final part if the customer chose a raw finish, but we usually dye the parts to look like this, I can't show you the dye as its a proprietary system I have designed and built inhouse. One of our newer offerings is Vapour Smoothing, we use this AMT PostPro SFX. Vapour smoothing greatly increases the finish qualtiy aswell as making the part more water and chemical resistant. For parts that are too big for our machine we borrow the capabilities of our HP partners who run much larger machines. This is a finished part with black dye and VS, it offers an even black glossy finish and a perfect base for Cerakote or paints. if you like what you see, like, subscribe, and check us out at Tempus3d.com" Tempus 3D is an HP certified 3D printing service bureau based in British Columbia, Canada, offering advanced additive manufacturing solutions tailored to your production needs. We specialize in HP MJF, Sinterit SLS, and Formlabs SLA technologies. Have a project in mind? Contact us at info@tempus3d.com to learn how we can support your next build. Let’s make it possible!

Our Client Justin lost his thumb in a water sports accident. In this video we discuss the prosthetic we made for him designed by ProstheticDesignLab. After proving out the design with a home FDM printer, he came to us to have one professionally built with high strength Nylon and flexible TPU. We Used PA12S enabled by Arkema printed on our HP MJF 5200 with a dyed and vapour smoothed finish, the TPU was Formlabs TPU 90A printed on a Sinterit LISA X. Justin was able to repurpose his apple watch straps to also hold the prostetic. Quoute from Justin "I lost my thumb when my thumb was caught in the bite of a rope Foil Wake Surfing. Over the next year of healing I was in the process of trying to qualify for a prosthetic. I was denied a prosthetic from both of my insurance companies because I did not suffer enough loss of my thumb or any additional fingers. I begrudgingly accepted the decisions after lengthy appeals and had a surgery on my thumb to help relieve some of the pain. I chose not to pay over $30,000 for a thumb prosthetic and got on with my life, adapted quickly and put it all behind me the best I could so I could move on. Just this year I got my 77 year old Father into VR Golf and gaming and started gaming the best I could but it was difficult to shoot Zombies and reload so I went looking for a solution. I found a 3D thumb prosthetic print file on Etsy for $30 very similar to the prosthetic that I had hoped for. I knew that hobby printers would be ok to start but was wanting a more refined print. I found Tempus 3D online locally so I reached out and they brought the 3D thumb prosthetic to life. Jordan at Tempus 3D did a a fantastic job working with me to get the best materials to print the different parts for functionality and Comfort. I am proud to say that many Zombies have died since the making of my thumb and it amazes me still that we were able to take something from a web page online and replicate it in real life in front of me. What an amazing time to enjoy life!! Thank you Tempus 3D for helping improve my quality of life!! Justin" Transcript "Our Client Justin lost his thumb in a water sports accident. Unfortunately he was denied Insurance by both of his providers for not losing enough of his thumb. at the time, the cost of a prosthetic thumb was around $30 000, he decided not to pursue a prosthetic and adapted to life without his thumb. When his father got into video gaming, Justin found that he couldn't properly use the joysticks and thumb buttons. After some online searching, he found a 3d printable file on Etsy by ProstheticDesignLab After proving out the design with a home FDM printer, he came to us to have one professionally built with high strength Nylon and flexible TPU The mobility of the prosthetic was very noticeably improved. allowing Justin to comfortably play video games again and spend quality time with his father. We love to see our parts improve people lives, that's why we work with multiple prosthetics and orthotic manufacturers across Canada, speeding up production and reducing waste compared to traditional manufacturing. Tempus 3D is an HP certified 3D printing service bureau based in British Columbia, Canada, offering advanced additive manufacturing solutions tailored to your production needs. We specialize in HP MJF, Sinterit SLS, and Formlabs SLA technologies. Have a project in mind? Contact us at info@tempus3d.com to learn how we can support your next build. Let’s make it possible!

3D Printing for the Healthcare and Medical Industry The medical and healthcare industry is increasingly looking to 3D printing as an innovative way to produce tools, equipment, prosthetics, insoles, and training technology. The use of 3D printing technology for developing on-demand, custom manufacturing, is creating efficiencies in unique ways, saving both time and money, all while literally saving lives. 3D Printed Models for Healthcare and Medical Training Utilizing common medical technologies such as CT or MRI scans, 3D printing can efficiently produce precise models of organs or other body parts. These models allow surgeons, medical professionals, and patients to effectively prepare for medical procedures. 3D printed models allow for increased preparation and pre-surgery strategies, increasing the success of surgeries, while also creating patient understanding and comfort, decreasing anxiety and fear. From an economic perspective, the 3D printed modeling approach also increases the speed and efficiency of procedures, something that hospitals with limited operating rooms are increasingly interested in. Creating Medical Tools and Equipment with 3D Printing The medical industry is consistently innovating, working to find new solutions to complicated challenges. 3D printing is the perfect fit for an industry searching for custom solutions that require an iterative process. Developing medical tools, instruments, and equipment using 3D printing means prototypes can be developed at rapid speeds and they can also easily be updated and changed to suit changing needs. In an industry that deals in life and death, precision and efficiency are essential, 3D printing provides both to the medical sector. 3D Printing Custom Medical Solutions One of the greatest differentiators between 3D printing and traditional manufacturing is the ability to create custom solutions efficiently. In the medical sector, the ability to develop custom solutions will have far-reaching implications. Two clear examples of the potential impact of 3D printing can be found in prosthetics and insoles. When it comes to custom prosthetics, there are a variety of considerations to be implemented. For instance, if a child loses and limb and requires a prosthetic, they will routinely need to replace that prosthetic as they grow – this is costly and challenging for many. 3D printing can now allow these replacements to be custom-developed with greater efficiency and lower costs. Additionally, 3D printing ensures that these prosthetics perfectly fit when connecting to the patient’s body. These may seem like simple or obvious considerations, but traditional manufacturing has not allowed most individuals to receive these fully customized solutions. A more common implementation of custom medical materials is insoles. Whether you are developing a solution for a lifelong challenge or simply a corrective insole to improve posture or stride, 3D printing offers the ability to customize insoles to a patient’s needs. What would previously have required extensive moldings and processes, is now as simple as a scan and 3D printing. The precision and efficiency of this procedure serve to make insoles more readily available to those who require them. Leverage 3D printing for your own medical innovation Tempus3D is an HP certified 3D printing service bureau based in British Columbia, Canada, offering advanced additive manufacturing solutions tailored to your production needs. As one of Canada's most capable additive manufacturing service bureaus, specializing in HP MJF, Sinterit SLS, and Formlabs SLA technologies. Have a project in mind? Contact us at info@tempus3d.com to learn how we can support your next build. Let’s make it possible!

From prosthetic limbs to personalized implants, 3D printing technology is rapidly transforming the medical field. This innovative process offers a unique opportunity to create customized solutions for patients, pushing the boundaries of traditional healthcare practices. The Impact of 3D Printing in Medicine 3D printing allows for the creation of patient-specific models of organs, bones, and other anatomical structures. These models are invaluable for surgeons, enabling them to: Plan complex surgeries with greater precision. By studying a 3D-printed replica of a patient's organ, surgeons can identify potential problems and refine their surgical approach, leading to better outcomes and reduced complications. Practice and rehearse procedures beforehand. Surgeons can use 3D-printed models to practice complex surgeries beforehand, improving their skills and confidence, ultimately leading to shorter surgery times and improved patient experiences. Educate patients and their families. 3D-printed models can be used to show patients and their families what to expect during a surgery, leading to better understanding and informed decisions. Beyond Surgical Planning 3D printing is also being used to create a range of innovative medical devices and implants, including: Prosthetics: 3D-printed prosthetics are now available for patients of all ages, offering a more comfortable and functional solution than traditional prosthetics. Implants: 3D printing allows for the creation of custom-made implants, such as hip and knee replacements, which can be perfectly matched to a patient's individual anatomy. Medical devices: 3D-printed medical devices, such as splints and casts, can be quickly and easily created at the point of care, providing patients with customized solutions without the need for long waiting lists. The Future of 3D Printing in Medicine The potential of 3D printing in medicine is vast. Researchers are currently exploring the use of 3D printing for: Bioprinting organs and tissues for transplantation: This technology could revolutionize organ transplantation, addressing the critical shortage of donor organs. Creating personalized drug delivery systems: 3D-printed drugs could be designed to release medication at specific times and dosages, improving the efficacy of treatment. Developing new medical devices and surgical techniques: 3D printing will continue to drive innovation in the medical field, leading to new and improved ways to diagnose and treat diseases. As 3D printing technology continues to evolve, its impact on the medical sector is sure to become even more profound. This transformative technology has the potential to improve patient outcomes, reduce costs, and ultimately make healthcare more accessible and personalized. __________________________________________________________________________________________ Tempus3D is an HP certified 3D printing service bureau based in British Columbia, Canada, offering advanced additive manufacturing solutions tailored to your production needs. As one of Canada's most capable additive manufacturing service bureaus, we specialize in HP MJF, Sinterit SLS, and Formlabs SLA technologies. Have a project in mind? Contact us at info@tempus3d.com to learn how we can support your next build. Let’s make it possible!

At Tempus 3D, we’re proud to support meaningful innovation through additive manufacturing. In this video, Justin Johnson, a Selkirk College graduate and research assistant at the Selkirk Technology Access Centre, showcases a 3D-printed adaptive fishing rod holder designed for individuals with limited or no hand function. Developed in collaboration with Fishing Forever and the BC Wildlife Federation, this inclusive design uses clever mechanics to make fishing more accessible—no grip strength required. Watch how 3D printing helps turn a class project into a province-wide initiative that’s making a real impact across British Columbia. Justin Johnson demonstrating his 3D printed fishing rod holder that makes fishing more accessible. Want to turn your idea into a product that makes a difference? Whether you’re developing adaptive equipment or prototyping for production, contact Tempus 3D to start your next project. Tempus 3D is an HP certified 3D printing service bureau based in British Columbia, Canada, offering advanced additive manufacturing solutions tailored to your production needs. We specialize in HP MJF, Sinterit SLS, and Formlabs SLA technologies. Have a project in mind? Contact us at info@tempus3d.com to learn how we can support your next build. Let’s make it possible!

We’re excited to share two new upgrades to our 3D printing lineup at Tempus 3D. First, we are soon switching over to PA-12S for all of our Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) prints. Second, we’re now offering SLA (Stereolithography) printing as a new service. Both changes are part of our goal to give you even better-looking parts, more options, and consistent results every time you order! PA-12S: A Better Look with the Same Trusted Performance HP’s new PA-12S material is a next-generation version of the classic PA-12 Nylon that many of our customers already use. It offers the same strength, durability, and reusability, but with some nice improvements: Cleaner, more uniform surface finish Improved consistency across complex builds Minimal changes to part strength or material waste So if you’ve used PA-12 before, you can expect the same great performance with a smoother, more polished look. Read the more detailed blog here! SLA Printing: High Detail and Smooth Finish We’re also excited to add SLA printing to our services. SLA uses a liquid resin and a laser to build parts with extremely fine detail and smooth surfaces. It’s a great option when visual quality and precision really matter. SLA is ideal for: Highly detailed prototypes Small parts with fine features Molds, patterns, and tools End-use parts that need a polished appearance Read the more detailed blog here! We’re currently finalizing our specific list of resins, so stay tuned for more info! Tempus 3D is an HP certified 3D printing service bureau based in British Columbia, Canada, offering advanced additive manufacturing solutions tailored to your production needs. We specialize in HP MJF, Sinterit SLS, and Formlabs SLA technologies. Have a project in mind? Contact us at info@tempus3d.com to learn how we can support your next build. Let’s make it possible!

We’re excited to share that SLA printing is soon available at Tempus 3D! We’ve added a Formlabs 3BL to our production lineup, expanding the range of high-quality parts we can offer and giving you more options for detailed, precision work. Whether you need smooth surface finishes, fine features, or functional prototypes that closely match final products, SLA is a powerful addition to your manufacturing toolkit. What Is SLA Printing? SLA, or stereolithography, is a resin-based 3D printing technology that uses a laser to cure liquid resin into hardened plastic. It’s known for its ability to produce highly detailed parts with extremely smooth surfaces and sharp features. Unlike powder-based processes like our MJF or SLS, SLA parts come off the printer with a polished appearance and minimal layer lines. This makes it a go-to solution for parts where aesthetics and precision matter. What SLA Is Best For SLA is ideal when you need: Fine details and smooth surfaces that mimic injection-molded plastic Tight dimensional tolerances on small or complex parts Prototypes with a high-quality look and feel Mold masters, tooling, and casting patterns Dental, medical, or wearable components with biocompatibility While the part strength of SLA resins varies, some formulations are well suited for mechanical use, while others focus on appearance, flexibility, or heat resistance. We’ll be releasing our full resin list soon! Why We Chose the Formlabs 3BL The Formlabs 3BL is built for industrial-scale SLA printing, offering a large build volume and exceptional part accuracy. It’s designed to handle production-grade applications while maintaining the quality and reliability that Formlabs is known for. With the 3BL, we can produce everything from engineering prototypes to custom end-use parts with professional-quality results. We are very excited to add this machine to our fleet, and look forward to printing your products! What This Means for You Adding SLA to our capabilities means we can offer: More options for prototyping and low-volume production Faster lead times for highly detailed parts Greater flexibility when appearance and finish are a top priority Specialized materials for medical, dental, and casting applications Keep a close eye on our Instant Quote tool to see when we official launch availability! __________________________________________________________________________________________ Tempus 3D is an HP certified 3D printing service bureau based in British Columbia, Canada, offering advanced additive manufacturing solutions tailored to your production needs. We specialize in HP MJF, Sinterit SLS, and Formlabs SLA technologies. Have a project in mind? Contact us at info@tempus3d.com to learn how we can support your next build. Let’s make it possible!