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How much faster can Additive Manufacturing get?
Apr 27, 2021
I’d like us to take a moment and appreciate just how far we’ve come in a relatively short space of time. 
30 years ago, this month, I bought my first SLA250. (Stereolithography machine)!
This was a new company, a new process, an unknown market and some technology I’d seen on Tomorrow’s World.
It wasn’t long before I I was introduced to bank guarantees, six figure overdrafts and sleepless nights! However, there was also a buzz, a challenge, and something to prove.
By today’s standards it was a small machine, but that one machine went on to support a 20 man company, something that would be a serious challenge these days.
Back then it was called Rapid Prototyping or Time Compression Technologies (where do you think the acronym of TCT came from?!), now more commonly known as 3D Printing or Additive Manufacturing.
It wasn’t always easy and it was certainly a much slower process than we have today. Remember this was way before electronic data transfer, so hours and hours were often spent in the car driving around the country to collect DAT tapes from clients all over the UK – just so we could have the data.
This was the days of Cadds4x, very few solid models and lots of surfaces. Surfaces meant gaps and gaps meant .stl files were shall we say challenging?!
Even when we got the data and managed to get an stl (that was the service bureaus responsibility!) there certainly wasn’t the choice of materials we have today, and we only had acrylic resins to work with. These often had a life of their own, and seldom stayed in the same place for long. It was always interesting arriving in the morning and seeing what had developed overnight! 
No one had ever seen technology like this, and I remember being called a liar on the phone more than once when I described what we could offer. No-one knew what ‘rapid prototyping’ was back then and as for managing to make a part without a drawing, that was just ridiculous.
Who remembers Cubital and Solid Ground Curing and what almost became a brawl on the stage in Cheltenham at one of the very first conferences? Yes, even then there were claims that tended to the fanciful!
However, we did get to bus every attendee through our facility (does anyone remember Spinaker House?) and introduced thousands to the concept of ‘rapid prototyping’.
From those early days came solid models, leading to data integrity. The internet giving us instantaneous data transfer and the materials are now just unrecognisable. To say we have come a long way would be an understatement.
I am still in the ‘we build it in layers’ market, still making parts, still seeing that thrill on people’s faces when they see the first realisation of a novel concept. Even now I still have those ‘wow’ moments when you come across something that pushes the boundaries (my specialty!).
The best part of these last 30 years without doubt, is all the people I have had the opportunity to work with, from Andrew Chantrill (then of 3D Systems) who demonstrated and then sold me that first SLA250, through the thousands of customers, suppliers, and competitors I have met along the way.
The future continues to be exciting and so no, before you ask, there are no plans to stop yet, let's see where things go next!
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Plunkett Associates worked on the design and production of titanium frames for an artificial heart valve where precision and consistency was paramount. Communications were efficient and productive with concepts readily incorporated into the final design, and suggestions for improvements all highly appropriate. The quality of the end product was ideal and I have no doubt that I will use the advice and expertise of Plunkett Associates again.
David Wheatley, Wheatley Research Ltd![david-wheatley-wheatley-research-ltd-main-original]()
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“Doing business with you has been an absolute pleasure. You have made my goals a reality. You have been patient, helpful and above all, responsive. Best service that I have experienced in ages. I consider Plunkett Associates to be an integral part of my business plan moving forward.”
Jet Cooper, Sculptor![jet-cooper-sculptor-main-original]()
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Thanks for the present that arrived this morning, as promised. Parts look first class, as always.
Jon Todd, Design Manager, PHS Group![jon-todd-design-manager-phs-group-main-logo]()
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Plunketts developed a solution that met our precision requirements at a cost significantly lower than alternative manufacturing approaches we had investigated
Nick Skaer, CEO, Orthox Ltd![nick-skaer-ceo-orthox-ltd-main-logo]()
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Interestingly, people who look at it in its own right with little knowledge of what it does, just like it! It’s tactile and it looks good…
Tim Collings, Operations Director, Troika Systems Ltd![client-name-main-logo]()
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To create such a consistent quality finish in chrome was an amazing achievement and the prototypes really gave our stand the wow factor.
James Clark, Group Commercial Director, The Airdri Group![client-name-2-main-logo]()
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I can’t recommend Tim and his team highly enough. We ended up with a design which can be produced and assembled quickly, efficiently and reliably, in volumes that make sense
Simon Leggett, Director, Olivewood Technology![simon-leggett-olivewood-technology-main-logo]()
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Kirintec were thrilled with Plunketts. They made a complex process simple and we were just amazed at the lead times achieved. Plus, every single deadline was met without any drama.
Penny While, Marketing Director, Kirintec![penny-while-marketing-director-kirintec-main-original]()
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Plunkett Associates truly offer a complete turnkey solution with Speed, Effectiveness and Precision.
David Harden, Director, Enica Ltd![david-harden-director-enica-ltd-main-original]()
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Plunkett Associates have a fantastic supply chain, work with all sorts of production processes and will always do their utmost to solve a problem.
Naim Audio![naim-audio-2-main-logo]()
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We always know exactly what we’re getting and we know we won’t be let down on quality, price or lead times.
Mark Williams, Research and Development Director, Johnson Safety Products![mark-williams-research-and-development-director-johnson-safety-products-main-logo]()
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"With their simple to understand language, willingness to go the extra mile and approachability, Plunkett Associates were a great partner for our company. We couldn’t be happier with the results of our project. (A working prototype that they got right first time, by the way). Thank you!"
Carolina Ballon-Forrester, Director, Kittyrama Ltd![carolina-ballon-forrester-director-kittyrama-ltd-main-original]()
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“We use Plunkett Associates because we want someone we can trust, that knows what they’re talking about, has all the contacts, will provide reliable advice and feedback and will get the right result for us.”
Jim Copestick. Design Manager, Thorlux Lighting![jim-copestick-design-manager-thorlux-lighting-main-original]()
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“Accuracy, finish and delivery all first class.”
Andrew Peters, JMDA Ltd![andrew-peters-jmda-ltd-main-original]()
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"Tim's experience, expertise and supplier base have been fundamental to us getting this project off the ground."
Sam Pearce, Jelly Products Ltd![sam-pearce-jelly-products-ltd-main-original]()
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Plunkett associates always find a solution. Whatever we need to prototype, they have a great grasp on the technologies available, costs and lead-times so we get the right solution tailored to the project needs. Have always delivered and never let us down.
Naim Audio![naim-audio-2-main-logo]()
