Since a few years there is a clear shift towards working in 3-D. Software like Inventor, SolidWorks and 3D Studio Max are fully based on working 3-D. The major advantage of 3-D CAD is the possibility to generate highly accurate images and simulations. It even gets better when the designs really can be manufactured in-house. It used to be only possible with very expensive machinery (LMT technology). Nowadays it is possible with a Colinbus machine in combination with a 3-D CAM software as for example DeskProto. The working principle is simple. The design that was made in the CAD software is exported as STL file. This file will be imported in the CAM software where all the required milling tracks are generated. Then the milling machine can finish the job. Because everything is easy-to-use even people without special CAM training can produce their models without any problems.

It speaks for itself that 3-D modelling is a perfect way to get a preliminary idea of how a product will look after production. This way mistakes can still be traced during the development stage and it will be easier to convince customers and managers. It is indeed not so easy for non-specialised people to judge or qualify a product purely on a design. Furthermore “Rapid Prototyping” is very helpful in obtaining a full-scale model to test it ergonomically. But this technique is not only used in the industrial world. It is a most appreciated way of copying unique pieces as for example museum masterworks. The original works are 3-D laser scanned and than copied in such a way that it is hard to distinguish it from the original (see picture on the left). Making models by means of a CNC machine has the big advantage that you are free to choose the material which is impossible with other techniques. It is essential to have this freedom if you want to make parts that have to meet certain technical requirements. This means that there is no competition for this technique when it comes to manufacturing technical parts.

One of the most important advantages of Rapid Prototyping through CNC machines is the low investment. This way it becomes a perfect system to be used “in-house”.

But also the manufacturing cost of the prototype is low. This can be achieved because one is completely free to choose any material: ranging from light foam for the first prototypes to plastics, wood or metal. You can determine the accuracy of the model yourself. So the production time can also be influenced in this way. Milling tracks of 0.1 mm will give a high-precision result but the time needed will be much longer than milling tracks of 5 or 10 mm. For large and rough working pieces one can even use larger milling tools.

Modelling with a 3-D milling machine also has some disadvantages compared to the LMT method. Sharp inner corners are almost impossible. The milling radius always has to be taken into account. Very thin walls are also easier with the LMT system because they can be damaged during the milling process. Milling concave models or models that cannot be assembled is not possible at all.

All machines are available in a 2 ½ or 3-D version. To do real Rapid Prototyping a full 3-D machine is required. The first thing to decide on, is the size of the machine.
If you only want to make small models in light materials than the CBR range may be your first choice. To manufacture 3-D models the best value-for-money is in any case the combination of a CBR machine with the DeskProto Lite software.
When you want to make larger models or machine heavier materials you may go for the CIR or CLR range. Colinbus can also manufacture special machines as for example with a Z-axis of several meters. These machines are sometimes used to produce high and solid moulds.

Example 1: design and production of a fragrancy bottle

Example 2: Reverse engineering, scanning and reproduction of a model

The CBR range: (click here)
CBR/3D machines are compact, precise and well-priced. Just like their taller brothers, they are equipped with the latest state-of-the-art electronics in the market. Definitely the best choice for machining small and light work pieces.

The CIR range: (click here)
Machines with a central lead screw. Maximum working area: 1250 x 1030 mm. Perfect machine for large-sized work. No tailor-made machines possible.

The CLR range: (click here)
Two lead-screws in the Y-axis make these machines stable and versatile. Maximum working area: 2000 x 2500 mm.