Instrumentation Monthly Test | Measurement | Control
World class model making and prototyping company Ogle Models & Prototypes has unveiled a major addition to its industrial 3D printing capabilities, the Fortus 400mc.
Ogle, based in Letchworth Garden City, has invested £60,000 in the installation of a FORTUS 400 FDM machine [fused deposition modelling]. This impressive machine can produce real parts for multiple uses in short timescales which are ready for immediate use in either prototypes or end-use.
Sales and Marketing Director Dave Bennion says “We believe the purchase of the FORTUS 400 FDM machine is a much needed addition to our already impressive fleet of state-of-the-art technologies. The equipment is ideal for bespoke one-offs or short production runs, which is going to help speed up productivity, without compromising the quality of the prototypes that Ogle has become well known for within the industry.”
The FORTUS 400 FDM has a build envelope of 406mm x355mm x406mm, which will initially run using three thermoplastic materials including PC-ISO (polycarbonate-ISO), ASA -UV (a stable production grade thermoplastic) and ULTEM 9085 (a flame retardant high performance thermoplastic). Parts can be printed in four different layer thicknesses, 0.127mm, 0.178mm, 0.254mm and 0.33 mm depending on the requirements of the design and the materials specified. However, not all materials are suitable for the different layer thicknesses. Parts are produced within an accuracy of ±.127 mm or ±.0381 mm per mm.
The new machine is an exciting addition to an already impressive range of technologies at Ogle. The company boasts an impressive 60 year history and has gone from strength to strength, building its reputation in a highly competitive market by offering the latest technology alongside traditional hand skills. Some of its early work where these skills were applied included models for the original Star Wars film including the Y Fighter and Luke Skywalker’s Land-speeder in 1976. Determined to remain at the forefront of the model making industry, Ogle was the first UK model maker to install the vacuum casting process and one of the first to invest in the SLA [Stereolithography] machine.
Today Ogle has a vast number of clients who rely on the skills and knowledge of Ogle’s expert team to manage a variety of high profile projects. Ogle work closely with each client and are able to offer them wide range of services, becoming a comprehensive source for all model making and prototyping needs.
Ogle recently were called upon to create a high fidelity aircraft model of a cabin interior monument for B/E Aerospace. BE prides itself on its extremely high quality products and having worked with Ogle for a number of years on previous projects knew the model maker shares the same ethos. The end result was a remarkably high quality product that demonstrated extremely high attention to detail, the client was delighted when they saw it fitted into the aircraft. Read the full case study here
For more information about Ogle, which recently celebrated its 60th anniversary, visit www.oglemodels.com
Ogle Models and Prototypes
Birds Hill, Letchworth Garden City. Hertfordshire, SG6 1JA
01462 682661