Here's a question we're often asked:

"How much could my business save with 3D printing?"

That can vary depending on the application/need your company would be using 3D printing.  But a great place to start is by looking at other companies and how they have successfully achieved large ROI's with additive manufacturing.

• Figure 4 Standalone enables contract manufacturer to exceed customer expectations with injection-molded quality 3D printed parts. Click here to read case study.

• True-to-CAD accuracy and quick 3D printing speeds of 3D Systems ProJet® MJP 2500 fast track product development at Bushnell. To read Bushnell case study click here.

Eggshell molding is 3D printings hidden gem application.  Eggshell molding is a sacrificial technique where a thin mold is printed and then material is injected into the mold.  The resulting mold is then broken away.  

Creating the eggshell mold is relatively simple; a CAD user creates a positive 0 set on the external surface of the model, then removes the original CAD to leave a hollow shell.  The resulting shell is, typically in the 3D Systems Figure 4's case, 0.3 mm thick.  The CAD designer will then add features to allow the injection of the material and some vents to prevent air pockets.

The shell is then printed using Figure 4 standalone and the specific eggshell molding resin 3D Systems has developed, "Eggshell-AMB 10."  The Figure 4 EGGSHELL-AMB 10 material is specifically engineered for the eggshell molding process.  A material like silicone can then be injected in using a syringe and the shell is then broken out with ease by hand because of the elastomeric properties of the usual end-use material.  

- For casting silicone parts in any durometer
     - Elongation at break: 5%
     - Tensile modulus: 2765 MPa
     - Impact strength (notched Izod): 15 J/m
     - Heat Deflection Temperature @ 0.455 MPa: 89°C 

For a quick look at the Eggshell -AMB 10 material properties, review the link:http://infocenter.3dsystems.com/materials/material-library/figure-4/figure-4-eggshell-amb-10