Welcome to QRGCO Rapid Prototyping

Fused Deposition Modeling

The fundamental process involves heating a filament of thermoplastic polymer and squeezing it out like toothpaste from a tube to form a two-dimensional cross section of the model. The cross section quickly solidifies, the platform descends, and the next layer is extruded upon the previous layer.

FDM prototyping and direct digital manufacturing systems create accurate, functional prototypes using the high-performance engineering material, ABS.

Competitive Advantages of Using QRGCO

Dimension SST 1200

Model Build Envelope (X, Y, Z)
10 x 10 x 12 inches
254 x 254 x 305 mm

Modeling Materials
ABS

Layer Thickness
ABS: 0.010 inches or 0.013 inches

                                  FDM Titan

                                                            Model Build Envelope (X, Y, Z)
                                                            16 x 14 x 16 inches
                                                            406 x 355 x 406 mm

                                                            Modeling Materials
                                                            ABS
                                                            PC-ABS Polycarbonate
                                                            Polyphenylsulfone

                                                            Layer Thickness
                                                            ABS and PC-ABS: 0.005 inches or 0.010 inches
                                                            Polycarbonate: 0.007 inches or 0.010 inches
                                                            Polyphenylsulfone: 0.010 inches

QRGCO produces most parts and durable models in ABS plastic. ABS is the most commonly used
plastic in manufacturing today.

ABS models can be drilled, tapped, sanded, painted, and chrome plated. However Polycarbonate and Polyphenylsulfone are available as well.

STL Files

The industry standard for rapid prototyping is the .STL file. It’s a file that uses a mesh of triangles to form
the shell of a solid object, where each triangle shares common sides and vertices.

Most CAD packages will allow you to export to the .STL file format. The quality of your .STL file will have a
direct impact on the speed of the quote and turnaround time as well as the quality of the produced part.

Making .STL files from SolidWorks

1.    Click on File, Save As. Select the path where you wish to save the file.
2.    For File Type, use the drop-down arrow, choose .STL, then click Options.
3.    Options - select Binary for file type. Binary files are approximately 1/5 the size of ASCII files.
4.    Options - Total Quality: Choices are Coarse, Fine, and Custom. Choosing Custom allows access
          to Total Quality and Detail Quality sliders and fields. In most cases, selecting Fine will produce an
          acceptable file, for custom try entering .001'' or .002'' for Deviation, and 10 degrees for Angle
          Tolerance.
5.    Check the Show STL Info Before File Saving or the Preview box to see a faceted view of the .STL
          file you are creating.
6.    Select Done, and send the file to Protogenic.

Making .STL files from ProEngineer

1.    Click on File, Save As.
2.    Select the file type .STL.
3.    In the Export STL dialog box, set Format to Binary. Binary files are about 1/5 the size of ASCII files.
4.    Set the Chord Height to .001”. The field will be replaced by a minimum acceptable value for the
         geometry of the model.
5.    Set Angle Control to 0.5.
6.    Name the file and click OK. ProEngineer will save your .STL file, and display your triangles on
          the screen.