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HP 3D Printing’s design freedom allows for quality, custom prototypes and final parts that can withstand nautical environments. Read this HP case study to learn more. Navigation arrows can be found at the top of the page. Explore more case studies and articles

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Learn why 3D printing in the manufacturing and design industry has seen an exceptional level of growth over the past several years, and how Tempus 3D can help join this manufacturing revolution. Benefits of Industrial 3D Printing with Tempus 3D 3D Printing for Manufacturing and Design The use of 3D printing in the manufacturing and design industry has seen an exceptional level of growth over the past several years. This is because of the rapid advancements in 3D printing processes and materials, resulting in the ability to cost-effectively manufacture end-use parts that meet or exceed the quality of parts produced by other manufacturing methods. 3D printing simplifies manufacturing services, allowing for a simple three step approach; design, print, install. In contrast, traditional manufacturing process, such as injection molding or CNC machining, require multiple steps to create a product or part, and are limited in their ability to manufacture parts with complex geometries. Because of these limitations traditional manufacturing processes can be costly, inefficient, and time-consuming, especially for prototyping or short-run manufacturing. The use of industrial 3D printing (also known as additive manufacturing) has proven to be an excellent complement to traditional manufacturing, with unique benefits and cost savings being realized by an increasing number of designers and manufacturers in Canada and across the world. The additive manufacturing process of 3D printing allows designers the ability to efficiently deliver an accurate and effective product using a sustainable process that mitigates risks, allows for creativity and freedom in design, and provides an opportunity for truly customizable product manufacturing. While industrial 3D printing services in Canada are still a small sector of the market, it is becoming increasingly accessible and has proven itself as a viable and effective manufacturing approach. Tempus 3D helps fill the manufacturing gap in Canada with advanced 3D printing technology specifically designed for small-to-medium run manufacturing of end-use parts. Our specialty is HP Multi Jet Fusion 3D printing which is specifically designed to manufacture affordable, high quality end-use plastic parts. Keep reading to learn more about how Tempus 3D can support your next affordable, custom 3D manufacturing design project for high-performance plastic parts, using industry-leading 3D print technology such as HP Multi Jet Fusion. 3D Printing Compared to Traditional Manufacturing Additive manufacturing has many advantages over traditional manufacturing methods, such as injection molding or subtractive manufacturing (such as CNC machining). Both of these manufacturing techniques include numerous steps and can limit the designer or manufacturer in terms of time, speed of manufacturing, design freedom, and/or cost. 3D printing eliminates these steps, leaving only design, printing, post-processing (if needed), and installing. The additive manufacturing process using 3D printing builds a product one layer at a time. This process typically fast, with low fixed setup costs, and can create more complex geometries than ‘traditional’ technologies, with an ever-expanding list of materials. It is used extensively in the engineering industry, particularly for prototyping and creating lightweight geometries. Injection molding has specific advantages and disadvantages compared to 3D printing, and manufacturers may choose one over the other depending on their needs. Injection moulding uses a mold that is filled with molten material that cools and hardens to produce parts and components. The initial mold is expensive to produce, and once the mold is made the design can not be changed. The requirement to be able to remove the part from the mold also means that the level of complexity is limited, often requiring multiple parts to be manufactured then assembled in a separate process. Compared to injection molding, 3D printing is best suited for quick turnaround times (1-2 weeks), low-to-mid-volume production runs (1000+ parts), designs with frequent changes, and complex part designs. They key difference between 3D printing and CNC machining is that 3D printing is a form of additive manufacturing, while CNC machining is subtractive. This means CNC machining starts with a block of material (called a blank), and cuts away material to create the finished part. To do this, cutters and spinning tools are used to shape the piece. CNC machining is popular for manufacturing small one-off jobs. It offers excellent repeatability, high accuracy and a wide range of materials and surface finishes. 3D printing is preferable in a number of circumstances, for example to manufacture highly complex parts, when fast turn-around times are needed, for low-volume production of end-use parts, and for materials which can not be easily machined, such as flexible TPU. The latest advancements in 3D printing technology have made additive manufacturing a viable alternative to traditional manufacturing methods, with significant advantages for many manufacturing applications in terms of speed of production, cost of manufacturing, ability to do rapid design changes, and freedom of design and innovation. For many years 3D printing has been considered an option best suited for prototype development, but not viable for large scale production, but as technology evolves the capability of 3D printing is continually expanding, positioning 3D printing as an innovative solution for functional prototyping and low-to-mid volume manufacturing of end-use plastic parts. Single Step Manufacturing Using 3D Printing When designing a product or a part, one of the biggest concerns for a designer is how to manufacture a part as efficiently as possible. Most parts require a large number of manufacturing steps to be produce by traditional technologies. Single-step manufacturing is important because it means a producer can eliminate the time consuming and expensive multistep processes used in traditional manufacturing. By using a single step additive manufacturing approach, the ability to create a prototype is drastically simplified, minimizing the investment, time, and risk required to prove a concept, part, or product. The single step manufacturing capability will also eliminate the costs associated with various trades required in traditional manufacturing and post-manufacturing assembly. Tempus 3D provides an alternative to traditional manufacturing by providing 3D printing technology that is specifically designed for the production environment. Our HP Multi Jet Fusion 3D printer uses powder-bed fusion technology to mass-produce affordable, high quality plastic parts comparable to injection molding, up to 10x faster than alternative 3D printing technologies. Tempus 3D provides and online quoting and ordering platform, where customers can get instant pricing for prototypes, custom parts, and small orders that need a rapid turnaround. Have a large order or special project? Upload your design and request a custom quote . 3D Printing with Multi Jet Fusion Technology At Tempus 3D we use an HP Multi Jet Fusion 5200 Series 3D printing solution (MJF) to provide our customers with world-class additive manufacturing capability. This industry leading 3D printer allows Tempus 3D to produce custom parts, prototypes, and industrial-grade and end-use plastic components quickly and affordably. Developed by our partners at Hewlett Packard , the multi jet fusion printer uses powder-bed fusion 3D printing technology. This process uses an inkjet array to selectively apply fusing and detailing agents across a bed of nylon powder, which are then fused by heating elements into a solid layer. After each layer, powder is distributed on top of the bed and the process repeats until the parts are complete. This process efficiently produces functional parts with accurate and complex details, which can be used straight out of the printer or post-processed to improve appearance or functional qualities. HP Multi Jet Fusion has gained rapid traction and popularity in the manufacturing sector because it’s unique printing processes offer a combination of better quality, increased productivity, and economic advantages. 10 times faster: MJF technology prints entire surface areas, rather than one point at a time as with comparable technologies such as SLS or FDM . This means that it prints up to 10x faster than these technologies, making it a viable solution for low-to-mid-volume production of end-use parts. New Levels of Quality, Strength and Durability: Multi Jet Fusion allows for the printing of parts in ultra-thin layers (80 microns). This results in parts with low porosity, high density and, particularly, high resolution and dimensional accuracy. This also creates parts with excellent material properties including chemical resistance, water-and air-tightness, UV resistance, and biocompatibility. Break-through Economics: HP MJF technology unifies and integrates various steps of the 3D print process to reduce running time, cost, and waste to significantly improve 3D printing economics. One printer is capable of producing over 160,000 cubic cm per day for production environments. As with all 3D printing technologies, there is a set of recommendations to follow when designing for HP Multi Jet Fusion technology to ensure parts and features are printed to specification, as well as to leverage the full potential of the advanced printing processes. Reducing Manufacturing Risk with 3D Printing Part or product manufacturing has historically required a coordinated effort between multiple specialists to ensure that a product is accurately completed. With 3D printing we can eliminate the risks associated with hiring and managing numerous personnel and subject matter experts to design and create a single part. More than that, Tempus 3D can help you to build a proof of concept without the costs and time associated with creating molds and jigs. Our Canadian 3D printing services allow for freedom in design, by permitting designers to print a single prototype at a low cost without substantial overhead and time invested. Creating custom solutions is more practical than ever without having to recreate production tools. Additionally, using jet fusion 3D printing technology, Tempus 3D can ensure your prototype or product is particularly accurate, no matter the complexity of the product. There are numerous case studies that show the diverse benefits of using 3D printing from the prototyping-through-manufacturing process. The Environmental Benefits of 3D Printing As a 3D print company collaborating with other manufacturers in Canada and beyond, we have an important opportunity and responsibility towards the environment around us, as well as to the greater community we live in and collaborate with. We're helping move towards a sustainable future with our environmental policies and commitment to long-term sustainability. Tempus 3D is committed to protecting the environment by developing and implementing sustainable manufacturing approaches. Using jet fusion 3D printing, Tempus 3D is proud to provide our customers with a manufacturing approach that reduces waste, lowers carbon emissions and footprint, and that supports a circular economy. 3D printing reduces manufacturing waste through a paradigm shifting additive manufacturing approach. In contrast to the traditional subtractive manufacturing approach, this means that while the traditional approach to manufacturing requires beginning with a large piece of material and cutting away materials until you have your desired outcome, 3D printing starts with nothing and adds to the part layer by layer. This new approach results in far less waste reduce environmental impacts and as a bonus, saves money. Tempus 3D is pleased to help our customers lower their carbon footprint by eliminating convoluted manufacturing assembly lines and supply chains. By localizing our supply chain, we are reducing both the environmental impact and manufacturing risks associated with transportation and complex supply chains. Finally, Tempus 3D is hopeful that new technology will mean consumers will one day be able to print their parts, fix their products, and create longevity in products. 3D printing has the potential to dramatically decrease the number of products ending up in landfills. At Tempus, we take sustainability even further by investing in equipment that has minimal material waste even compared to other 3D printing technologies, such as the HP Multi Jet Fusion 5200 which has industry-leading material re-usability and have operator training and quality control processes that minimize the chance of parts rejected due to being out of specification. Design Freedom Using 3D Printing 3D printing frees designers and innovators from the realities and challenges of traditional manufacturing. In the past when a designer was making changes or innovations to a part or product, it would require high material and labour costs as jigs and moulds needed to be made or re-made based on the new specs. With 3D printing designers can efficiently make digital design changes, and with the push of a button, they can create a functional prototype without the creation of production tools. This freedom means that designers and innovators no longer must live in fear of the substantial start-up costs traditionally associated with manufacturing. No longer are designers held hostage by the necessity of welders or machinists to show proof of a concept. The advantages of 3D printing are visible in the early stages of development and custom products, including the ability to rapidly test and re-design prototypes, shorten the time to market for a new product, and save on material and labor costs. The subtractive manufacturing process places restrictions on designers and requires draft angles, undercuts, and tool accesses. With 3D printing, because a product is developed one layer at a time, these restrictions no longer apply. This means that designers can develop substantially more complex parts, without facing the costs and intricacies required through traditional manufacturing. Finally, 3D printing is the perfect fit for custom design and production. The current approach to additive design builds parts one at a time, meaning every part can be custom designed. The 3D printing approach provides designers with the freedom to design and produce single run products, that may otherwise be unfeasible because of the costs associated with manufacturing tools and labour. Applications for 3D Printing 3D printing has been welcomed across sectors including, automotive, aviation, industrial goods, consumer products, healthcare, and education. The automotive industry has embraced 3D printing for part production, jig-production, and spare parts and tools. In the product development phase, designers are able to cost-effectively go through several iterations before deciding on the final product and manufacture functional prototypes to test in real-world situations. Additionally, an increasing number of OEM’s have been using 3D printing to develop end-use parts in order to increase the performance of the parts, reduce part weight, create more complex part designs, and consolidate multiple parts into a single design. With 3D printing also allows manufacturers to personalize cars to meet customer requirements, or replace parts in older vehicles for which parts are no longer available. The aviation industry has seen significant cost savings with the adoption of additive manufacturing. By using 3D printing, they can create complex parts with a single design and 3D printing process. By saving materials through design and engineering, you can successfully produce lightweight structures with 40-60 % less weight. Additive manufacturing guarantees maximum flexibility in production planning. Modified components, upgrades and spare parts can be produced on demand, meaning that storage is not necessary. The industrial goods sector is increasingly turning to 3D printing to stay agile, responsive, and innovative. With increasing production costs and the digitisation of manufacturing, industrial OEMs must constantly evolve to maintain operational agility and keep costs down. With 3D printing, design changes that would have taken months using conventional manufacturing methods can be implemented much faster, oftentimes in under a week. Manufacturers can also reduce the time needed to produce parts, bypassing a time-consuming and costly tooling and assembly steps. Another advantage is that since 3D printing can produce physical parts from digital files in a matter of hours, companies can manufacturing parts on demand and eliminate the need to warehouse pre-manufactured parts. Consumer products that many use every day are already utilizing 3D printing technology. From sneakers to eyewear and jewelry, 3D printing is quickly shifting the traditional manufacturing approach for consumer goods. Additive manufacturing provides a cost-effective product development, testing and production. For example, during the product development stage 3D printing is used to develop and test multiple iterations and perform repetitive testing in a much shorter time frame. The ability to accelerate product development times also shortens the time-to-market for new products. Perhaps the biggest impact of 3D printing for consumer goods lies in the potential of creating personalised products, tailored to the requirements of consumers. The healthcare industry is one of the fastest growing adopters of additive manufacturing. the adaptability of 3D printing makes it a logical choice. For example, medical device manufacturers have greater freedom in designing new products and can bring their products to market much faster. Patient specific devices such as prosthetics and orthotics can be quickly and affordably produced using a 3D scan of the patient’s body to create a digital template customized to the patient. Dental labs can use scans of the patient’s teeth to create dental products that perfectly match the patient’s anatomy. 3D printing is increasingly being integrated into education. Many elementary schools in Canada have incorporated 3D printing into their technology curriculum. Colleges and universities are integrating additive manufacturing and design into their curriculum to prepare students for a trades and technology sector that is experiencing rapid growth and demand. Tempus 3D is taking a role in supporting education in the additive manufacturing sector with it’s partnership with the Selkirk Technology Access Center . There are countless applications for 3D printing across sectors, as this technology catalyzes innovation, environmental progress, and custom solutions to complex challenges. Contact Tempus 3D Tempus 3D can help you join the manufacturing revolution enabled by industrial 3D printing. Tempus specializes in mass-producing high-quality, affordable prototypes and end-use plastic parts using cutting-edge technology designed for the production environment. With online quoting and a certified production team, we get your parts to you on time and spec. Contact us today to learn more about our custom and on demand 3D printing services near you.

IBC Technologies saved time and money when designing a jig for their manufacturing process by leveraging industrial 3D printing with a local additive manufacturing company. CASE STUDY IBC Technologies enables innovation in collaboration with BC 3D Printing Service Bureau IBC Technologies is a company based in Vancouver, BC which designs and manufactures heating equipment for residential and commercial use. IBC was developing a jig to accelerate the assembly of fan components, and was looking for a local manufacturer which could offer a quick, low-cost solution to support them with rapid prototyping and eventual manufacturing of their jig assembly. IBC approached Tempus 3D to help them with the manufacturing process. Key benefits Rapid prototyping to test multiple iterations of the jig being developed. Production of custom jigs to support manufacturing. Reduced cost of design changes compared to machining parts. Local manufacturing, minimizing lead times and environmental costs. Photo courtesy of IBC Technologies Organization IBC Technologies Industry Hydronic Heating, Industrial Goods, Research and Development Technology HP Multi Jet Fusion 5200 Materials Nylon PA12 Introduction IBC Technologies was founded more than 25 years ago with the express purpose of improving the world of hydronic heating. IBC currently serves the entire North American market and continues to produce innovative products out of their Vancouver, BC location. IBC has embraced industrial 3D printing as a key tool for not just rapid prototyping, but also production runs of low volume parts and the integration of 3D printing in their manufacturing process through the design and implementation of 3D printed jigs and fixtures. Challenge IBC was designing a jig to speed up the assembly of multiple fan components. Jigs and fixtures present unique manufacturing challenges as they can be expensive, time-consuming and wasteful to machine using traditional manufacturing methods, especially when the design is being tested and improved with multiple iterations. IBC was in search of a close-to-home solution that would de-risk their production and enable them to quickly build, test and re-design their prototype before manufacturing their final design. Solution 3D printing was an ideal solution for this project and has been a game changer for the production of jigs and fixtures. By being relatively low cost compared to CNC machining while maintaining comparable levels of accuracy, 3D printing is becoming the go to solution for smaller jigs and fixtures. IBC was looking for a local company that was able to provide 3D printing services with industrial-grade materials with low cost and high accuracy. After researching their options, they approached Tempus 3D for a solution. Tempus produced their first parts for IBC Technologies in the summer of 2021 and has been working with them on a regular basis on a number of projects since then. Result IBC tested several iterations of their jig, with the advice and support of the Tempus technical team to optimize their design for 3D printing processes. Tempus was able to 3D print the desired fixture with a quick turnaround time and within tolerance, enabling IBC to speed up production and reduce costs associated with their fan assembly process. IBC and Tempus continue to work together with the production of additional jigs and fixtures and are both heavily invested in bringing manufacturing back to Canada and British Columbia. As IBC continues to invest in innovation Tempus is there to help them iterate quickly and get their products from concept to market in record time. With Tempus’ location in the interior of British Columbia it is uniquely capable of serving both the lower mainland and Alberta markets with cost-effective overnight shipping and the ability to turn around rush orders in as little as 36 hours. We at Tempus feel this is just the beginning of what manufacturing will look like in the future; it will be more responsive, customized, and local allowing innovators across sectors to bring products to market quicker and in a more environmentally friendly way. Learn more about IBC Technologies. Learn more about HP Multi Jet Fusion 3D printing technology Learn more about Nylon PA12 How to design for Multi Jet Fusion Read more case studies and articles about industrial 3D printing in action.

Tempus 3D uses metrology-grade 3D scanners to convert almost any object into a digital file, no matter the size or complexity. Call us today to get a quote. We can convert almost any part to a detailed CAD file. Scan-to-CAD Get a Quote Convert almost any part to a detailed CAD file. Our team of experts uses metrology-grade 3D scanners to convert almost any object into a digital file, no matter the size or complexity. The scanning data can be converted into file formats compatible with leading CAD software for further analysis, design or engineering, analyzed for quality control or inspection requirements. We can even have the part 3D printed for you in industrial-grade materials. Get a Quote Explore Additional 3D Scanning Services Inspection Services Scan and compare your part for product quality and metrology requirements. Learn More Reverse Engineering Create a detailed 3D map for measurement, reporting, design and engineering. Learn More Scan-to-Print Scan your part and have one (or hundreds) 3D printed for you, in your choice of material. 3D Printing Services Get Started with our 3D Scanning S ervices If you have a project that requires 3D scanning, we are here to help. Our team of experts will use the latest 3D scanning technology to get the job done, on time and on budget. Get in touch with us to get started. Get a Quote

Our mission is to empower companies to innovate in their product development and gain a competitive advantage by bringing products to market quickly and affordably. We do this through our industry-leading 3D printing technology, exceptional customer support and an in-depth knowledge of Additive Manufacturing. MISSION Together, we can create a world driven by innovation. Our mission is to empower companies to accelerate their product development and access affordable manufacturing for low-to-mid-volume production of end-use parts. We do this by providing industry-leading 3D printing technology, exceptional customer support and an in-depth knowledge of additive manufacturing. This mission statement is the driving force behind the dedicated team at Tempus 3D. Everyone at Tempus shares a passion for creating, inventing, innovating in order to change our community for the better. Our Values Meaningful Innovation. We create value through technology , using industry-leading equipment to support you in designing next-generation products and transform the way you do business. Results-Driven Co-Creation . We collaborate with you to create solutions to drive results. Merge your experience and creativity with our knowledge and expertise of 3D printing. Transparent Integrity . We build trust and long-term relationships based on mutual respect, openness, honesty and reliability. Passionate People . We invest in people because they are the cornerstone of our success. Trained to industry standards, inspired by our mission and curious by nature, they go the extra mile. Sustainable Quality . We ensure quality in everything we do. As customer needs and technologies evolve, we improve to remain relevant over time. On-Time and On-Spec . One of the unique benefits of additive manufacturing is rapid production of quality parts. We are committed to ensuring you are able to meet your development goals quickly, easily and accurately . Learn more about Tempus 3D Services About Us Sustainability Stay in the loop on 3D printing and Tempus 3D Join our newsletter to get a monthly update on the latest news about 3D printing, tips and tricks to get the most out of additive manufacturing, success stories of industry insiders, and latest developments with Tempus 3D. If you don't find the content relevant, you can unsubscribe at any time, we are committed to protecting your privacy and will not share your email address. Get Updates Thank you!

Combining flexibility, transparency, and durability, BioMed Elastic 50A produces skin-safe parts that perform under repeated use. Ideal for prototypes, ergonomic testing models, and healthcare applications. Order your parts today from Tempus 3D. BioMed Elastic 50A 3D Printing Soft, flexible, biocompatible parts manufactured with SLA technology. Designed for medical applications requiring skin contact and short-term mucosal contact. Get a Custom Quote Why Choose Biomed Elastic 50A? Produce Soft, Biocompatible, Transparent Medical Devices and Models BioMed Elastic 50A Resin is a soft, elastic, medical-grade material for applications requiring comfort, biocompatibility, and transparency. It is ISO 10993 and USP Class VI certified material and can be used in applications for long-term skin contact (>30 days) and short-term mucosal membrane contact (<24 hours). 3D printing technology Stereolithography (SLA) Resolution 0.025 mm (25 μm), ±0.15–0.3% Maximum print size 380 x 285 x 380 mm (14.9" x 11.2" x 14.9") 1/2 Get a quote About Biomed Elastic 50A Resin BioMed Elastic 50A is a transparent, biocompatible material designed for applications requiring softness, flexibility, and medical-grade performance. With a Shore hardness of 50A - comparable to human tissue - it is particularly suited for creating patient-specific medical devices, surgical models, and prototypes where comfort and safety are essential. Manufactured in an ISO 13485–certified facility and compliant with USP Class VI standards, BioMed Elastic 50A is validated for long-term skin contact (>30 days) and short-term mucosal contact (<24 hours). The material delivers a unique balance of high elongation at break (150%) and tensile strength (~2.3 MPa), allowing it to bend, stretch, and recover under repeated use. Get Parts Made Key Benefits Silicone-like flexibility – With a Shore hardness of 50A, parts stretch and bend repeatedly without tearing. Biocompatibility certified – Meets ISO 10993 and USP Class VI standards, suitable for applications requiring skin or mucosal contact. Durable and resilient – Withstands repeated cycles of bending, compression, and elongation. Precision in soft materials – Enables accurate production of complex geometries while maintaining softness and comfort. Applications Medical device prototypes – Soft-touch components, seals, and enclosures for device testing and validation. Wearable devices – Comfortable, skin-contact parts such as straps, cushions, and custom-fit prototypes. Patient-specific models – Anatomical parts and simulation tools for surgical planning and education. Research tools – Flexible flow channels, tubing, and test components for biomedical and life sciences. Technical Specifications Ultimate Tensile Strength 2.3 MPa / 339 psi Stress at 50% Elongation 2.3 MPa / 339 psi Stress at 100% Elongation 1.3 MPa / 189 psi Elongation at Break 150% Tear Strength 11 kN/m / 60.8 lb/in Shore Hardness 50A Compression Set 23 °C for 22 hours 8% Compression Set 70 °C for 22 hours 11% Bayshore Resilience 15% Glass transition temperature (Tg) -36 ºC / -32.8 ºF Chemical Disinfection 70% Isopropyl Alcohol for 5 minutes Solvent compatibility See full technical specifications View full technical specifications Biocompatibility Standards Samples printed with BioMed Elastic 50A Resin have been evaluated in accordance with the following biocompatibility endpoints: ISO 10993-5: 2009 Non-cytotoxic ISO 10993-23:2021 Non-irritant ISO 10993-10:2021 Non-sensitizer USP Biological Reactivity Tests, In-vivo USP Class VI Certified ISO Standards Samples printed with BioMed Elastic 50A Resin have been evaluated in accordance with the following biocompatibility endpoints: EN ISO 13485:2016 Medical Devices – Quality Management Systems – Requirements for Regulatory Purposes EN ISO 14971:2012 Medical Devices – Application of Risk Management to Medical Devices View full technical specifications Powered by SLA Produce high-precision parts with Stereolithography (SLA). Known for exceptional detail, smooth surface finish, and tight tolerances, SLA is ideal for prototypes and end-use components. Learn More About SLA Design Guidelines Max print size 380 x 285 x 380 mm (14.9" x 11.2" x 14.9") Min wall thickness 0.2 mm Max unsupported overhang 5.0 mm Min vertical wire diameter 0.2 mm (7 mm tall) to 1.5 mm (30 mm tall) Emboss / engrave min 0.1 mm (emboss) / min. 0.15 mm (engraved) Min clearance min 0.5 mm between moving parts Min hole diameter min 0.5 mm Min drain hole diameter min 2.5 mm to allow resin to escape View full design guide Get your parts into production today Request a quote

The automotive industry has been transformed by the opportunities provided by additive manufacturing. Now commonly used in design studios, factory assembly lines and customization, 3D printers are aiding in design and development, accelerating the assembly process, creating complex parts, enhancing measurement and testing, and providing customization solutions across the range of the development process. The Value of Additive Manufacturing in the Automotive Industry For the past decade, additive manufacturing (also known as industrial 3D printing) has played an increasingly important role in the automotive industry. It was initially used to create automotive prototypes to check their form and fit. As 3D printing technology and materials have evolved and diversified, 3D printing has moved from an optional technology limited to producing simple prototypes to an integral part of the manufacturing process, from initial conceptualization to production of final parts. The automotive industry has been transformed by the opportunities provided by additive manufacturing. Now commonly used in design studios, factory assembly lines and customization, 3D printers are aiding in design and development, accelerating the assembly process, creating complex parts, enhancing measurement and testing, and providing customization solutions across the range of the development process. The Czinger 21C hypercar showcases the future of additive manufacturing in the automotive industry. With over 350 AM components used in the vehicle's structure, suspension, brake systems, drivetrain and beyond, each component is computationally engineered and optimized for weight, efficiency and performance. To start, it is important to clarify how additive manufacturing works. In this process, a part is built layer by layer from the ground up, eventually completing the form of the finished part. This has minimal material waste as only the materials needed to build the part are used. This is in contrast to subtractive manufacturing (such as CNC machining), where a part is formed by removing material from raw stock, or injection molding, where multiple parts are cast in a mold. Traditional manufacturing methods can be limited by the speed of manufacturing, setup costs, design limitations, and/or ability to complete on-the-fly design adjustments. In contrast, the process of building in layers gives a great deal of design freedom, as intricate shapes, hollow parts, and interlined parts can be built as easily as simple shapes, and parts can be produced within hours or days, rather than weeks. BMW has been 3D printing parts for it's vehicles since 2010. Here, parts are being manufactured for the BMW i8 roadster using HP Multi Jet Fusion technology. Applications of Additive Manufacturing in the Automotive Industry Typical applications of additive manufacturing (AM) in the automotive industry include: Design and concept communication 3D printed scale models allow engineers to communicate and demonstrate design concepts for new vehicles or vehicle components. These models are also used for the aerodynamic testing of new models. For example, GM used 3D printing to build 75 percent of a C8 Corvette prototype , allowing the automaker to make changes on the fly to design parts and make sure they fit together properly. They also used 3D printing to train robots on the production line instead of having to wait for the final parts to be built. 3D printed Chevrolet C8 Corvette Prototype Rapid prototyping and design validation In the ongoing race to be the first and best, auto manufacturers continually engage in research and development to create better products and get them to market faster than their competitors. AM makes this process quicker and more affordable, with its ability to quickly create working prototypes in just a few hours, instead of typical turnarounds of several days or more. This can help product designers test and iterate more frequently and cost-effectively, ultimately leading to better end products. Using AM is now one of the most common ways to validate a prototype, whether it’s a small quickly printed detail or a full-scale functional part for performance validation and testing. Skorpion Engineering uses a structural welding technique to produce large parts with HP Multi Jet Fusion technology. Design optimization and weight reduction Automotive manufacturers work to improve the design of components in order to minimize weight, reduce manufacturing steps, or improve the overall design. The additive manufacturing process allows weight-reducing strategies such as using lighter materials or eliminating non-structural material or integrating multiple parts into one. For example, engineers at GM and Autodesk used generative design to consolidate an 8-component seat bracket assembly into a single piece. This 3D printed seat bracket is 40% lighter and 20% stronger than the original part. Seat bracket re-engineered by GM for weight reduction and streamlined manufacturing. Jigs, fixtures and tooling In the production stage, additive manufacturing is used to rapidly manufacture grips, jigs and fixtures, as well as make molds for parts. This allows manufacturers to streamline the assembly process and produce customized tools at a low cost. For example, Ford uses 3D printing for jigs and fixtures to streamline the assembly of their vehicles, and BMW has replaced aluminum fixtures with 3D printed thermoplastic fixtures. Production parts An increasing number of manufacturers are producing end-use parts with additive manufacturing. This manfuacturing process offers greater freedom of design and ability to innovate without sacrificing strength or structural integrity when compared to traditional manufacturing. An added benefit is that the same technology can be used for concept models, functional prototypes and end-use parts, providing a streamlined transition from initial concept through mass production. Bugati’s eight-piston monoblock brake caliper is the world’s first brake caliper to be produced by a 3D printer. Customized parts Customization is an increasingly popular trend in the automotive industry, mainly due to the advancements in 3D printing technology and materials. Additive manufacturing makes it easy and cost-effective to create unique items or low-volume production runs of custom parts, in a way not previously possible. Some manufacturers customize vehicles to suit a particular customer, others to improve the performance or appearance of specific vehicles. A fun example is Volkswagen, who used their VW Type 20 concept van to showcase some of their most cutting-edge technologies and ability for mass customization of vehicle components. Replacement parts With traditional manufacturing methods, it is usually more cost-effective to manufacture large quantities at one time than to produce parts as needed. This results in consuming storage space to stockpile parts, or throwing away extra or obsolete parts that were overproduced. 3D printing has the same low cost per part, whether they are produced individually or mass-produced. This allows on-demand manufacturing, where parts are produced as needed. With the use of CAD, designs for all parts can be kept as a digital copy, making the need to keep inventory obsolete. Even parts that no longer exist can potentially be remade to requirement, or reverse engineered based on digital scans of existing parts. Porsche has dedicated a branch, called Porsche Classic, to keep their vintage lines alive. They use 3D printing to produce plastic and metal replacement parts as needed. Benefits of Additive Manufacturing in the Automotive Industry There are a variety of ways the automotive industry benefits from additive manufacturing. These include: Reduced production time Because there is minimal setup and no tooling required, additive manufacturing provides a much faster turnaround time for prototypes and short-run production than traditional manufacturing. Additional time is saved if multiple parts can be integrated into one design, which eliminates the time and cost of assembly. Because functional parts can be manufactured in days rather than weeks, the prototyping process can be completed efficiently and products taken to market faster and more affordably than previously possible. Less wasted material Generally, additive manufacturing produces far less wasted material than traditional manufacturing because the parts are built layer-by-layer, rather than removing unnecessary material from a solid piece or creating unique molds for each part design. The ability to produce parts on demand also reduces the need to dispose of unused product if it is unused or becomes obsolete. Supply chain optimization The ongoing supply chain issues are accelerating the trend of localized manufacturing. Automotive manufacturers are eliminating delays due to materials shortages and shipping delays by manufacturing parts on-site or outsourcing to local 3D printing service bureaus. This has the added benefit of supporting the local economy and saving shipping costs, which have up to 200+% over the past year alone. Reduced energy consumption Additive manufacturing is far less energy-intensive than traditional manufacturing processes. An additional benefit is lower fuel consumption and pollution due to minimized shipping of raw materials and final product, as parts are manufactured closer to home. Reduced inventory As additive manufacturing is used to create replacement parts and tooling, facilities require less inventory space to store the extra parts. This can reduce overhead and save space. Cost savings All of the above factors can result in cost benefits and reductions, especially over time and when compared to traditional manufacturing, yielding a positive return on investment. Supporting Manufacturers with Industrial 3D printing Tempus 3D is an additive manufacturing service bureau located in Western Canada that specializes in the additive manufacturing of industrial plastics for the Canadian market. We support our clients throughout the manufacturing process from initial conceptualization and prototyping through full manufacturing of end-use parts. With industry-leading HP Multi Jet Fusion 3D printing technology and industry expertise, the team at In-Gear has the tools and expertise to support your product development goals. Contact us today to learn more. Learn more about Tempus 3D's products and services Explore more case studies and articles About HP Multi Jet Fusion 3D printing technology

Explore HP's Multi Jet Fusion design guides to get the most out of 3D printing with MJF technology. How to Design for HP Multi Jet Fusion Design rules, minimums, and best practices to improve print success, dimensional accuracy, and post-processing outcomes. Minimum feature sizes for walls, wires, and fine detail Clearances for assemblies, hinges, and moving parts Escape holes and powder-removal design considerations MJF Quick Specs Typical accuracy: ±0.3% (minimum ±0.3 mm) Max build (one piece): 284 × 380 × 380 mm Min wall: 0.4 mm supported / 0.5 mm unsupported Min clearance: 0.6 mm Escape holes: 4.0 mm recommended, 2.0 min Get a Quote Contact Production MJF enables complex, production-grade nylon parts — but proper design can eliminate preventable issues during printing and cleaning. Use this guide to validate key thresholds and submit designs that print reliably. Design Essentials Tolerances Expect a dimensional accuracy of +/- 0.3% (with a lower limit of +/- 0.3%) Bounding Box This represents the largest model we can manufacture in one piece. As with injection molding, a larger part can be digitally cut and printed in smaller parts, which can be re-connected after printing. Maximum 284 x 380 x 380 mm Minimum x + y + z greater than 9 mm Wall Thickness Walls that do not meet the minimum measurements risk damage in the cleaning and printing process. They are also prone to warping during printing. Min. supported wall thickness 0.4 mm Min. unsupported wall thickness 0.5 mm Wires "Wires" are sections that are long and narrow. Supported wires are connected at 2 ends. Unsupported wires are connected at only one end. Min. supported wires 0.4 mm Min. unsupported wires 0.9 mm Surface Detail Min. embossed detail 0.2 mm high & wide for readable text - 0.5 mm wide, 0.3 mm high Min. debossed detail 0.2 mm high & wide for readable text - 0.4 mm high & wide Escape Holes Because Multi Jet Fusion uses layers of powder to build parts, excess powder can be trapped in hollow models. The powder can be left in the hollow piece, or "escape holes" can be added so pressurized air can be used to blast out excess powder. Diameter of single escape hole 4.0 mm Diameter of 2+ escape holes 2.0 mm Clearance Clearance is the space between parts that are built in place, such as in a ball-and-socket joint or hinge. Minimum clearance 0.6 mm Sprues Sprues are wires that join multiple parts. To minimize the risk of breaking during the cleaning process they should be thicker than the minimum wire thickness. Sprue minimum thickness 2.0 mm HP Design Guides Best Practices What you need to know to optimize your design for MJF. View Design Guide Interlocking Parts Design for interlocking parts, such as chains and chain mail. View Design Guide Design for Accuracy Learn how to achieve maximum accuracy with your part design. View Design Guide Hinge Design Learn more about hinge design for 3D printing with Multi Jet Fusion. View Design Guide Design for Aesthetics Learn how to design and print parts for optimal appearance. View Design Guide Design for Cleaning Learn how to facilitate the cleaning process and minimize printing cost. View Design Guide Upload your file. Get your parts made. Online Quote

HP Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) 3D printing for strong, production-ready plastic parts. Ideal for functional prototypes and end-use components. HP Multi Jet Fusion 3D Printing Services Production-Ready Parts with Isotropic Strength and Fine Detail HP Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) produces strong, accurate plastic parts with excellent surface consistency and repeatability. Designed for both prototyping and low- to mid-volume production, MJF is ideal for end-use components requiring durability, precision, and uniform mechanical properties. Max Print Size 380 mm 15.0 in Max Build Volume 380 × 284 × 380 mm 15.0 × 11.2 × 15.0 in Layer Height 80 μm 0.003 in Get a Custom Quote About MJF Technical Specs Materials Design Guidelines Quote What is Multi Jet Fusion? HP Multi Jet Fusion (MJF) is a powder-based 3D printing process that produces strong, detailed plastic parts without the need for support structures. The process works by selectively applying fusing and detailing agents to a thin layer of polymer powder, which is then exposed to heat to solidify each layer. Repeating this process layer by layer results in parts with consistent mechanical properties, fine detail, and reliable surface quality. MJF 3D printing is ideal for: Parts requiring strength and durability for functional testing and end-use applications Complex geometries and assemblies that are difficult to produce with traditional methods Lightweight, lattice, or hollow structures without the need for support material Snap-fits, hinges, and flexible designs made possible by engineering-grade materials like TPU Industrial, consumer, and medical applications demanding performance and reliability Get a quote Proud to be a Certified HP MJF Production Professional Learn More MJF Material Options HP Nylon PA12s Durable, accurate parts for prototypes and production Strong, isotropic mechanical properties Excellent dimensional accuracy and surface consistency Ideal for housings, brackets, fixtures, and functional assemblies Suitable for low- to medium-volume production Learn More about PA12s Order Now BASF Ultrasint TPU01 Flexible, resilient rubber-like parts High elasticity and tear resistance Skin-safe and fatigue-resistant Ideal for wearables, seals, gaskets, and protective components Learn More About TPU01 Order Now HP Polypropylene (PP) Lightweight, chemical-resistant functional parts Excellent chemical and fatigue resistance Low density and high impact strength Ideal for fluid handling, enclosures, and snap-fit components Learn More About Polypropylene Order Now HP Nylon PA11 Bio-based, impact-resistant engineering plastic Higher ductility than PA12 Excellent impact and fatigue resistance Ideal for snap-fits, living hinges, and durable end-use parts Learn More About Nylon 11 Order Now HP Nylon PA12 Color Durable, full-color parts with HP MJF color integration Full-color printing for branding, indicators, and differentiation Strong mechanical performance comparable to standard PA12 Ideal for consumer products, housings, and visual-functional parts Learn More about Nylon 11 Order Now HP Nylon PA12 White High-accuracy, production-ready parts with a clean white finish Excellent dimensional accuracy and repeatability Smooth, consistent surface quality ideal for finishing Suitable for housings, enclosures, and functional assemblies Learn More About Nylon 12 White Order Now Looking for a reliable production partner that can help your company scale? Tempus offers custom pricing for serial production. Key Benefits: Fixed pricing agreements Pre-scheduled delivery No inventory costs Dedicated Production Advisor Technical Specifications Build Volume 380 × 284 × 380 mm (15 × 11.2 × 15 in) Supports large parts and high-density batch manufacturing. Layer Thickness 80 µm (0.08 mm) Balances fine feature detail with production efficiency. Dimensional Accuracy ±0.2% (minimum ±0.2 mm / ±0.008 in) Typical accuracy depends on geometry and post-processing. Support Structures Not required Enables complex internal channels, lattices, and assemblies. Maximum Part Size Up to 380 mm (15 in) Ideal for housings, enclosures, and structural components. Print Resolution 1200 dpi ≈ 21 µm dot spacing (0.0008 in) Enables sharp edges, fine text, and detailed geometries. Mechanical Properties Near-isotropic strength Consistent performance across X, Y, and Z axes. Production Suitability Functional prototypes to end-use parts Designed for repeatable, production-ready manufacturing. Design Guidelines Max build volume 380 x 284 x 380 mm (15 x 11.2 x 15") Min wall thickness 0.6 mm (flexible), 2 mm (rigid) Connecting parts min 0.5 mm between part interface areas Moving parts min 0.7 mm between faces of printed assemblies Emboss / deboss min 0.5 mm Design Considerations Thin and long parts, as well as large flat surfaces, may be prone to warping. We recommend Select Laser Sintering as an alternative 3D printing technology for these parts. Consider hollowing or adding internal lattice structure to large solid pieces to improve accuracy and minimize cost. Hinges, sockets, and linked parts can be integrated into the design. View Full Design Guidelines Upload your file. Get your parts made. Instant Quote

Tempus 3D offers a selection of plastic and metal materials for prototyping and production of end-use parts. These high-performance materials are produced on commercial-grade 3D printing and additive manufacturing technology, to produce precise, high-quality, affordable parts. As an HP Certified Produciotn Partner, Tempus gets your parts to you on-time and on-spec. 3D Printing Materials 3D print custom parts with excellent material properties and a high level of precision and durability. Start A New 3D Printing Quote Guaranteed consistently high-quality 3D printed prototypes and production parts Get a Quote All uploads are secure and confidential. Tempus 3D specializes in 3D printing high-performance materials, using industry-leading 3D print technology for functional prototyping and low-to-mid volume manfuacturing of end-use parts. Plastic 3D Printing Strong, detailed, quality parts Low-to mid-volume production of affordable, high-quality plastic parts with a high level of detail and excelllent mechanical properties. Plastic 3D Printing Materials Online Quote Metal 3D Printing High quality, fully dense metal parts Low-to mid-volume production of high-quality metal prototypes and end-use parts. Metal 3D Printing Materials Online Quote Proud to be a Certified HP Digital Manufacturing Partner T empus 3D is proud to be one of a select few service bureaus in Canada to be a qualified member of the HP Digital Manufact uring Network . Learn More Value-Added Services 3D Scanning Learn More Design Services Learn More Finishing Learn More Get your parts into production today Online Quote

Kalesnikoff Lumber was looking for a local manufacturer to re-design and build lumber guides for their finger jointing machinery. The original machined-aluminum guides were expensive and difficult to source, so they approached Selkirk Technology Access Center (STAC) and Tempus 3D for a solution. The collaboration resulted in a more functional and affordable design, 3D printed with Nylon 12 using industrial 3D printing technology. Read the full case study to learn more. Kalesnikoff Lumber adopts industrial 3D printing to alleviate supply chain challenges, reduce down time, and improve productivity. Key benefits Production of custom parts currently unavailable elsewhere. Significantly reduced cost of manufacturing, compared to machined aluminum. Supports manufacturing in Canada and British Columbia. Supports local production of value-added forest products. Organizations Kalesnikoff Lumber , Selkirk Technology Access Center Industry Forest Products, Mass Timber, Industrial Machining Technology HP Multi Jet Fusion Materials HP Nylon PA12 Introduction Kalesnikoff Lumber is North America’s most advanced, vertically integrated, multi-species mass timber manufacturer. It is a family-owned company located between Nelson and Castlegar, BC, in the fertile West Kootenay wet-belt where they have been in business since 1939. Their products include Cross Laminated Timber, GLULAM Beams, GLT Panels, Japan Zairai, and other lumber products. To support their production they have an ongoing need for replacement parts, which have become increasingly challenging to source due to the supply chain disruptions caused by the global COVID 19 pandemic. Challenge The machined aluminum lugs used in Kalesnikoff’s finger-jointing line are expensive to produce and have become difficult to source locally. These lugs are used to hold boards in place while the joints are being milled. Because of the close proximity to the saws and the constant movement of the line these lugs wear out over time and often get struck by the saw blades as they become loose. This damage is often catastrophic to the part, and also results in damage to other elements on the production line. This damage can result in costly downtime while the parts are repaired. In search of a solution, Kalesnikoff approached the team at the Selkirk Technology Access Centre (STAC) located in Trail, BC to see if they had an option for producing these parts locally, economically, and in a way that improved reliability. Kalesnikoff has had a long working relationship with STAC and they have collaborated on numerous projects in the past. Solution The first step in coming up with a solution was to reverse-engineer the parts and produce a digital file of the parts. The team at STAC has decades of combined experience and were able to take the part from drawings to a 3D printable file in minimal time. The reverse engineering also created an opportunity to address any design flaws that had plagued the original parts, and the end design resulted in an improved part that will result in reduced downtime for the mill. Once a digital file was created, the team at STAC was able to have the part 3D printed by Tempus 3D , a 3D printing service bureau located in Trail BC. Tempus printed the part in Nylon PA-12 using HP Multi Jet Fusion 3D printing technology, which produces parts with high durability and strength along with other mechanical properties that proved ideal for this use-case. After the initial test print, Tempus was able to produce 10 sets of these lugs which should satisfy the needs of Kalesnikoff for a significant period of time. Result In collaboration with STAC and Tempus 3D, Kalesnikoff Lumber was able to reduce their supply chain risk by sourcing parts locally at a reduced cost and with improved functionality. Their collaborative approach to the problem also fosters innovation in the region and supports local business, resulting in more sustainable long-term business practices. Kalesnikoff, STAC and Tempus 3D continue to work together on a number of innovative projects and continue to support local industry through the challenges arising from the global COVID 19 pandemic and global supply chain issues. With Tempus 3D's location in the interior of British Columbia it is uniquely capable of serving both the lower mainland and Alberta markets with cost-effective overnight shipping and the ability to turn around rush orders in as little as 36 hours. We at Tempus feel this is just the beginning of what manufacturing will look like in the future; it will be more responsive, more custom, and more local allowing innovators across sectors to bring products to market quicker and in a more environmentally friendly way. Learn more about Tempus 3D and their available 3D printing materials Check out Kalesnikoff Lumber Co . and their manufacturing facilities Visit Selkirk Technology Access Center to discover their design and manufacturing capabilities Learn more about HP Multi Jet Fusion industrial 3D printing technology Tips and tricks to design for HP Multi Jet Fusion industrial 3D printing