With a wide range of customers in many industries, Paragon must adapt to the often-meticulous demands that are required as well as the everchanging nature of markets. The team is often commissioned to produce prototypes, gauges, jigs and fixtures, pattern masters and even end-use models and parts that are needed quickly, making traditional production and manufacturing methods a less viable option.
This is underscored by one automotive customer that urgently needed a prototype car bumper in a rapid response time. As the bumper is a large component, the part would normally be machined from solid using traditional manufacturing methods – a process that can take two to three weeks. During this time the bumper would have to undertake post machining and fabrication processes that may be required for vacuum forming and GRP lay ups. Not only that, but the tools would also have to be machined, as well as any jigging fixtures needed, further delaying the production time.
In contrast, 3D printing using the Neo800 3D printer has shortened the process to just two to three days of printing time – a decrease of 90%. Additionally, as the surface finish is so good, even after one single print, post-processing time is greatly reduced.
Andrew McCormack, Commercial Projects Manager, Paragon Rapid Technologies Limited, explains, “Customers come to us with challenging projects, and we have to adapt. Using the example of the car bumper, we saved time, by cutting-out all the add-ons such as tools and jigs and fixtures previously needed during one single print. Also, more fundamentally, we knew we could take on the production of such a large part, thanks to the Neo800’s 3D printer significant build area of 800 x 800 x 600 mm. As a result, where appropriate, we have started to shift from traditional manufacturing methods towards our Neo 3D printer SLA solutions, opening up new avenues of work for our business.”
While Stratasys acquired RPS in 2021, the team at Paragon is looking forward to the continuing positive relationship and believes Stratasys‘ industry-leading products will offer Paragon and other Neo 3D printer line customers an expanded set of applications.
Faux concludes, “We would find it extremely difficult to deliver on the promises we have made to customers without the help and support of RPS/Stratasys and our Neo 3D printer line of 3D printers. We regularly receive positive feedback from our customers and while that is partly down to the skill of our technicians, the technology and the support helps make that possible. Having already grown our market share in several industries, we aim to progress even more on that front, using new applications and solutions in the future.”