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Malcolm Nicholls Limited
Leading prototyping experts, Malcolm Nicholls Limited have launched a cutting-edge online instant quote and ordering tool.
Aimed at regular 3D printing users, the tool provides users with instant pricing with no need for human intervention.
Accessed via mnl.co.uk, components ordered through the online tool are offered at 15% lower than prices quoted through the company’s office-based quotation service.
The tool allows designers, product developers and engineers to upload a CAD or STL file and then select the size, material and resolution of their product in order to receive an instant quote for a prototype being made.
CAD Files accepted by the tool include ACIS (*.sat), Inventor (*.ipt), CATIA V4 & V5 (*.model & *.catpart), Creo (*.prt), IGES, OBJ, Parasolid (*.x_t), Pro/Engineer (*.prt), Rhino (*.3dm), Siemens NX (*.prt), Solid Edge (*.par), SolidWorks (*.sldprt), STEP, STL
An easy to use service, SLA - Super Smooth, SLA - Standard technologies, SLS and FDM can all be selected using the tool.
If selecting SLA, the ABS equivalent clear resin from market leader DSM Somos, Watershed 11122XC will be used to produce strong, clear and accurate SLA parts.
Whilst if selecting SLS, the smoothest nylon material available, Exceltec’s Innov’PA 1550XS will be used to produce near injection moulded quality nylon parts.
Customers can also choose the layer thickness of their product, the resolution and additional services including bead blasting and detailed finish.
To cater for all budgets and more urgent projects, the tool allows users to choose a manufacturing timeline to suit their budget. The options to choose from are:
Premium Route - this option dedicates one or more machines to the project in order to achieve the fastest turnaround, this makes it the highest cost option.
Budget Route - this option maximises the machines’ capacity across multiple customers, offering the slowest turnaround but at the lowest cost.
Standard Route - a blend of the other two options, builds are organised so that several jobs are built at once with a good balance of efficiency and speed.
Once the user is happy with the options selected and the price quoted, their order can then be placed and paid for with a choice of payment options including credit/debit card or bank transfer. Whilst by request, existing credit customers can order using their credit account.
Discussing the tool, Ross Nicholls, Technical Director at Malcolm Nicholls Limited, commented “I am delighted with the new online quote and ordering tool. The service, which is aimed at regular 3D printing users who simply want to upload and print parts, is a fantastic addition to our company. It compliments the consultative approach to providing prototypes matches to exacting requirements provided by the office-based staff.”
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