ProTek Models and 3D Printing is Your Partner for 3D Printing in Houston, TX
Houston area companies are always looking for new, innovative ways to stay competitive. If you run a Houston business, you’re probably aware of the revolution that is 3D printing. 3D printing technology is creating opportunities for businesses in all sectors. Is your company taking advantage of the benefits 3D printing has to offer?
ProTek Models and 3D Printing has been a leader in the field of commercial and industrial 3D printing since the early 2000s. We’ve partnered with a lot of companies – including Boeing, NASA, Raytheon, Oceaneering, and Mitsubishi, to name a few – and we’re here to help you find creative manufacturing solutions through the use of 3D print technologies. The technology used for 3D printing has evolved over the years; today it is used in all phases of the manufacturing process, from designs and prototypes to finished parts and products.
3D printing offers many advantages over CNC machining and other traditional manufacturing methods:
- Shorter lead and production times.
- Lower setup costs.
- Cost-effective for producing one-off prototypes as well as small to medium production runs.
- Printed objects can be made from a wide range of materials, including resins and thermoplastics.
- 3D printed parts can be water resistant, heat and cold resistant, chemical resistant, and UV resistant.
- Parts can be produced to demand, lowering inventory costs.
- Parts can be manufactured locally or even on-site, reducing shipping costs and hassles.
3D printing is ideal for manufacturing parts with complicated geometries. This includes parts and intricate surface details like raised print or brand logos as well as those with complex inner surfaces. It can also create objects with inner voids, lowering the weight of the finished piece and saving costs on materials used.
The 3D Print Process
3D printing is a process called additive manufacturing. Rather than creating a workpiece by removing material (as in CNC manufacturing), 3D printing creates a workpiece by adding layer upon layer of construction material, based on instructions from a digital file. How long the process takes depends on factors like complexity, size, and resolution of the object.
Common printing materials used in 3D printing include plastics (e.g., PLA, ABS), resins, metals, ceramics, and more. Some 3D printers are capable of handling multiple materials or even composite materials. Depending on the material, there might be a cooling or curing step to ensure the printed layers harden or set properly. Some materials, like thermoplastics, cool naturally as they solidify, while others, like resins, may require UV curing.
Let Us Help You with Your 3D Print Project
ProTek Models is rapidly becoming Houston’s go-to source for high-quality 3D printing services. We offer customers access to the latest in FDM and SLA 3D print technologies and have the capabilities to handle any sized 3D print project. Our experienced team of engineers and designers can help you at every step of the way, from file preparation to finishing. We’ve partnered with Houston companies in a wide range of industries, including:
- Aerospace and Defense
- Oil and Gas
- Automotive Aftermarket
- Medical, Healthcare, and Dentistry
- Consumer Electronics
- Household Goods
- Robotics
- Marketing and Entertainment
In addition to our state-of-the-art 3D print services, we also offer custom scale model making, urethane casting, and custom auto part production services.
Located just North of Houston in Conroe, TX, ProTek Models serves customers all over the greater Houston area. Contact us through our website or call us at (832) 968-6636 to discuss your 3D print project and get a free quote.