ARRK PROVIDES LOW VOLUME 3D PRINTING SOLUTION TO INNOVATIVE VETERINARY COMPANY TO DEVELOP CT SCANNER

With a wide range of manufacturing solutions on offer, ARRK were delighted to support one of the UK’s most innovative advanced veterinary imaging companies with their product development needs.

Award-winning Hallmarq Veterinary Imaging provides a range of advanced imaging solutions to equine and small-animal vet practices around the globe. With offices in the UK and the US, its unique modalities have enabled over 350,000 MRI and CT scans for horses, cats, and dogs.

THE POWER AND VERSATILITY OF 3D PRINTING

ARRK were delighted to be able to support the client’s low volume manufacturing requirements by using its 3D Printing, Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) capability and utilising Hallmarq’s supplied CAD data.

ARRK was very quickly able to build multiple parts. Hallmarq needed 10 sets of the outer housings that form part of the leg scanner for horses. Built in Glass Filled Nylon (GFN) material, because it offered strong, robust parts, ARRK’s team set about making the outer covers, lids and side wall chambers.

Some components were built as single part builds, while others, which were slightly larger, were built in sections, joined and finished to provide a complete component.

*3D Printed Selective Laser Sintered builds.*

CNC MACHINING

A number of metal components were also needed, so ARRK used its CNC machining facility in Gloucester to provide the aluminium parts. Heli coil threaded inserts were added at the top of some of the SLS units so the lids could be fastened to them. The team were also able to source a number of outside components for the client, saving them valuable time and effort.

*Aluminum parts were CNC machined at ARRK Gloucester along with the sourcing of other required components.*

CARBON FIBRE

Hallmarq also needed carbon fibre plates and these were able to be supplied through ARRK’s specialist Composite and Engineering centre in Nuneaton.

*3D printed SLS parts in GFN (glass filled nylon)*

IN-HOUSE PAINT CAPABILITY

To give the parts a fully finished look, the SLS components were sanded, primed and painted to match specified corporate colours. Within a matter of days the client received their parts, installed their electronics and completed the assembly.