The Protoyping Advantage
Converting 2D drawings and conceptual designs into a 3D digital format is a central focus of Spectrum 3D's service. The 3D format shortens the time frame from conceptionalization to being a "tool" for manufacturing. It is an important analytical resource for Mechanical Engineers and Industrial Designers. All spatial, geometrical, and cosmetic attributes of a part are known prior to making large investments in tooling.

Spectrum 3D's tolerance compliant prototypes will allow injection mold tooling cost savings of up to 15%. In many cases, the tooling cost reduction will exceed the investment in the tolerance compliant prototype.

Other methods may be used to produce "prototypes" that are not tolerance compliant and are, in fact, are really only "conceptual models". Spectrum 3D's tolerance compliant prototypes are the most effective in terms of total investment and the developmental cycle time.

Spectrum 3D continues to makes capital investments in equipment and casting materials that provide the greatest benefits to our clients.

To start saving prototyping expenses and time, contact Spectrum 3D now.

Casting
Spectrum 3D offers casting services with excellent repeatability.

All of the attributes of a finely prepared pattern are preserved while maintaining textures, colors, dimensions, and material characteristics. A silicone (RTV) mold is a reliable and economical production medium for small number parts production. The cosmetic attributes of our castings are comparable to injection molding. Thin walls and snap fits are easily accommodated

Particular care is exercised in selecting our vendors and specific materials. Spectrum 3D knows this qualification process will assure material performance, which is the most important attribute to achieve world-class quality. Specific materials are chosen to meet the needs of the casting project. Consultation is provided when material R&D research and development is required. We will supply our clients with data sheets on any material used. Two part castable urethanes that (excellent for use in projects with thin walls) are primarily used. These materials are excellent when specific strength urethane characteristics are required; offering good UV stability and very low shrink rates. Additional product specifications are available from our office or via urethane vendors on our links page.

Casting Options

Color Matching - Spectrum 3D offers a choice of color, based on a pantone number, incorporated into the urethane to produce a casting. This method is excellent for parts that have fine details that a coating may distort, or are subject to abrasion.

Clear Casting This is our specialty, Using our propriety methods, we have produced some of the largest and highest quality clear castings in the industry. This allows the production of thick and thin mass clear castings without inclusions, air bubbles or surface distortions.

Tint Matching - This is available in almost any color tint for clear and translucent casting.

Material Filling - When a customer requests it, at no additional cost, we "glass-fill" urethanes with milled fiberglass, which enhances the strength characteristics.

Additional Molds - When casting larger projects additional molds are available at a significant discount.

Materials R&D - Our technicians use a large variety of urethanes and epoxies; introducing new materials on a constant basis without logistical problems.

Coating - Painting, EMF shielding, clear coating, and vacuum-metalization (outsourced), all utilizing superior HLVP spraying techniques, are available on a customer-required basis.

To enjoy the Spectrum 3D Casting Advantage, contact us now.

CAD Services
When the customer design is approved, Spectrum 3D creates a 3D representation. This representation allows our clients to use the information throughout the entire prototype and manufacturing process.

Data transfer, quoting, prototyping, design evaluation, tooling, and quality control can all be done with the same 3D data.

We begin the design process at whatever point a client is able to produce the design information. Conceptual information that ranges from crude drawings to sophisticated 3D information is processed into a tool-ready design that meets the design intent of the client. Spectrum 3D provides 2D to 3D conversions for 2D drawings that have dimensions.

The 3D data is created in a format that allows manufacturing of the parts in the most time efficient and cost effective manner.

To start the design process contact Spectrum 3D now.

Production Runs
Spectrum 3D's short run production services utilize the same high quality methodology used to produce prototype castings.

This cost effective manufacturing method uses either silicone or epoxy for very short production runs or metal filled epoxy molds for larger short production runs. Projects of 100 to 20,000 parts are easily accommodated.

Our highly efficient production line, with the use of a meter-mix dispenser and materials that set and de-mold rapidly, allows us to ship high quality parts to clients quickly.
All the casting materials and casting options that are used for prototypes are also available for short run production projects. This capability provides our clients with many short run production options.

To start saving short run production expenses and time, contact Spectrum 3D today.

Casting for Art
Spectrum 3D produces a wide variety of artistic projects. To complete a casting for art project we require either a pattern or digital formatted information. The sequence of art projects follows the same order as prototyping projects. The major difference with casting for art is the use of more subjective geometry.
We work to capture the essence of the artist's creative effort. This flexible approach in determining which methods to use for each project assures an outcome that will please the artist.

Spectrum 3D casts in a variety of materials. Clear sculpture and wax for investment casting are available using non porous-mold mediums.

Contact Spectrum 3D now to have your artistic project brought to fruition.

Spectrum 3D, Inc.
14251 Chambers Road Suite A
Tustin, CA 92780
Phone: 714-734-9600 Fax: 714-734-4660

engineering@spectrum3d.com