When it comes to production 3D printers, you might be thinking of a large machine worth several million dollars. But, today, this is no longer the case.
Manufacturers of professional 3D equipment are adapting and offering new printer sizes suitable for the needs of small and medium businesses.
The Flashforge AD1 3D printer is the solution that was lacking in the outdoor advertising industry.
The production of illuminated signs for signage is a big part of the advertising industry. The most common methods used to make illuminated sign are laser cutting and milling. However, these two methods have significant drawbacks.
To begin, the methods involve using a lot of manual labor. Next, there is a lot of waste during production, which cannot be avoided when using sheet materials. The wasted materials means additional costs for production. As a result of the tedious process of making 3D letters using traditional technology, the costs of the final products are very high.
To avoid the problems of manual labor and wastage of resources, you can use a 3D printer. The printer can also improve the quality of the finished products.
Thanks to 3D printing technology, the production of 3D light letters is becoming fast and profitable. For example, since there are no scraps and other associated wastes, the overall cost of materials reduces material.
The Flashforge AD1 Channel Letter can produce one letter in just 6 steps. This may take a few hours and reduces production time by over 66%. This means that even one 3D printer is capable of increasing workshop productivity several times over.
While one person can only produce one object at a time manually, the operator can monitor the print and operate several 3D printers at the same time.
Flashforge AD1 Channel Letter optimizes production at every stage. From project creation with FlashAD software and 3D printing of complex designs, to remote control of 3D printers and the security provided by a filament sensor and automatic stop and resume functions.
FlashAD Slicer Software
The free FlashAD software has been designed specifically for creating and slicing 3D models of volumetric letters. The software greatly simplifies the creation of complex designs and eliminates the problem of calculating the bend angle in CNC machining.
The software has four printing modes for automatic generation of hidden seam marks in cut files according to various templates. These provide a smooth finished product surface.
In addition, FlashAD outputs ready-made files for 3D printing. These files are also suitable for a milling machine, which eliminates the need to create separate ones.
With FlashAD, you can automatically generate the required 3D print file by entering text and choosing a font. Alternativesly, you can use CorelDraw, Adobe Illustrator, or any other 2D vector graphics software, and import the file into FlashAD, where the print files will be automatically generated.
With FlashAD you can create various effects to suit your project: top step, top panel, chamfer to support the panel, bottom base, extended base, and bottom step.
You can also create color effects: from monochrome printing to various color combinations.
You can also design anchor holes, slopes, arcs, corners, sections, engravings, unique inverse tilt shadow effects and complex shapes.
You can also adjust the thickness, height of the walls and the letter cover.
With FlashAD, you can easily create designs of any complexity. The large number of available settings, functions and capabilities allows you to go beyond straight lines. Cursive letters, flowing lines, corners and arcs, a variety of color combinations – all this is available in one free application.
Uploading the print file can be done directly using the FlashCloud cloud platform.
The FlashCloud cloud platform allows you to directly control one or several 3D printers via the Internet. The ability to remotely control a 3D printer, transfer print files, and control printing is designed to automate the production process and simplify work with multiple devices at the same time.
Today, creating signage no longer has to be time-consuming, thanks to the Flashforge Channel Letter solution. Creating bulky letters with Flashforge includes only six steps:
- Design development using FlashAD, CorelDraw or Adobe Illustrator
- Importing and slicing files in FlashAD
- 3D printing of volumetric letter
- Acrylic panel manufacturing
- Bonding the acrylic panel and the printed letter base
- Light installation
The Flashforge AD1 has a large construction area of 600 x 600 x 70 mm. This is enough size for printing large letters of standard height. In this case, the letters can be printed entirely, and all that remains is to mount the backlight.
The Flashforge AD1 Channel Letter 3D printer, together with FlashAD and FlashCloud software, eliminates a lot of time-consuming and routine processes. The device can operate autonomously thanks to remote control and security features. You only need to make a simple setup and send the file to print.
In the event of a power failure, the print protection function will instantly raise the extruder to avoid damaging the print model by the high temperature nozzle. When power is restored, the printing will resume.
The FlashAS is a simple and straightforward design software that allows you to get exactly what you planned in the end. By combining the Flashforge AD1 with environmentally resistant plastics, you have a simple and efficient solution for 3D lettering.
Additive technologies can replace outdated manufacturing methods with more practical ones that meet the principles of smart, green manufacturing. The main advantage of 3D printing is faster and cheaper production.
A 3D printer significantly increases productivity and requires few employees and less production space. All this makes the production cost of one letter on a 3D printer 3 times less than in classical production. Moreover, the level of finished products is much higher.
A large performance 3D printer like the Flashforge AD1 can print a durable and lightweight sign in just a few hours. Isn’t every entrepreneur dreaming of such savings in production time and resources?
