An exciting project that saw Malcolm Nicholls Ltd utilise 3D printing and 3D scanning technology to reproduce 18 3d Print trophies (replicas) for an Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship-associated golf tournament.

On the Abu Dhabi golfing circuit, the Falcon Trophy has long been synonymous with the Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. The Pro-Am tournament serves as a supporting competition which precedes the main event. Event organisers wanted smaller versions of the Falcon Trophy to award winners of the curtain raiser tournament and briefed isodo3D about producing 18 quarter-size replicas, six for each of the next three tournaments.

Isodo3D worked along with Malcolm Nicholls Ltd when they found that the most cost-effective and non-compromising method was to print the falcon and golf ball and then hand turn the wooden plinths. A HP 3D Structured Light Scanner Pro S3 was used to scan the trophy and create the data required to print the trophy. Using our latest SLA technology a master model was printed.

Three 3D printed series of batons for huge fundraising races across the USA

Malcolm Nicholls Limited (MNL) a well-established 3D Printing and prototype model-making company, who have been producing high-quality prototypes for over 50 years, were delighted to lend its services free of charge to such a worthy cause. MNL were approached due to their reputation for the quality of product and service. In 2014 MNL produced the first series of Baton, and over the last few years, MNL has produced 3 series of batons for the relay races across America.

1st Series of the baton (One run for Boston)

Like most of the world, three friends in England were horrified to watch coverage of the Boston Marathon bombing on April 15. The three runners wanted to do something positive so they organized a California to Massachusetts relay race to raise money for bombing victims. The majority of funds raised will benefit One Fund Boston, whose organizers live in England but weren’t deterred by distance.

The relay, which started June 7th in the L.A. area, ends June 30th in Boston.

“When something like this happens, it doesn’t matter where you’re living — it just packs a hard punch,” says Kate Treleaven, 34, of Devon County, England.

Despite the distance, marathoner Treleaven and fellow runners Danny Bent and James Hay were determined to bring something positive to the sorrow. The result: One Run for Boston, a relay race across the United States that has attracted more than 1,000 runners and raised, so far, almost $50,000.
The money goes to One Fund Boston, the charity that helps those most adversely affected by the bombing. Three people died and more than 260 were injured.

“We thought, ‘How could something so awful happen to a group of people who were doing something so wonderful?’ “, Treleaven said. “It was a need to purge that hideousness and basically bring things back to a happier equilibrium.”

The trio settled on dates and mapped out a route using Google Maps and MapMyRun, an app for runners. A friend in art school created an Olympic-style torch with a GPS tracking device so the public could follow the relay on the OneRunforBoston.org website.
The concept baton was originally produced using 3D printing on a Stereolithography (SL) machine by Malcolm Nicholls Limited (MNL), also based in the UK. MNL is one of the longest-established service providers of 3D printing parts and components and has been using the technologies for the best part of 20 years. MNL has donated its time and expertise to this worthy cause.

The Making Of The Batons.

For each design of the baton, the initial stage was to 3D print via Stereolithography on one of their (SLA5000) machines at MNL. The batons consisted of an assembly of a variety of components using different materials. Once the 3D prints were built, they were given to MNL’s highly skilled finishing department. The finishing department starts with the removal of visible layers and then will work with the surface of the model up to the point of the required level of finish such as a perfect high gloss. The finished baton “masters” were to be used as patterns for MNL’s soft tooling process; Silicone tooling. From these tools a series of castings were produced, predominately in an ABS durable material in gloss, some were translucent white and some clear and tinted. The 3rd series of baton also consisted of elastomers giving a tactile grip. To give the baton a completed look graphics were applied to depict the route, logos, etc.

All of the batons also needed to be illuminated for nighttime running, and GPS trackers were fitted internally so, at any point of the run, the sponsors could monitor their location from the website.

For the internal components, unfinished 3D printed Selective Laser Sintered (SLS) parts were produced. Multiple batons were produced from silicone tooling for each stage of each race.

MNL has proudly donated their time and expertise to these causes free of charge

The variety of colours, materials and textures and quality of finish in the Batons is a great showcase for the capabilities of the fantastic team at MNL.

When approached by a leading supplier of machines that produce canning/food machinery, we were asked to produce a 3D printed exhibition model not only to produce a scale model of a machine but to also make it semi-function. The Third-Scale model was to represent a 4-metre long canning machine. It was to be able to demonstrate the unique selling points of the machine at a forthcoming trade show in Europe. With so many moving parts, the accuracy of the process and model were imperative.

The primary stage for MNL was to work on the 3D CAD data, when you scale a model down to such a small scale factor some elements can be lost – made so small they disappear, these would then need to be scaled at a different factor. Even simple nuts and bolts had to be re-drawn. As an example, a half-inch thread at 1/3 scale becomes 1/6th inch. this had to be altered to the nearest metric equivalent to prevent the necessity of producing non-standard bolts. Over 200 man-hours were spent working with the CAD, MNL wanted to ensure that what was produced or rectified was correct so many 3D PFS was created to show the end customer the design intent. As many sub-assemblies were to operate (albeit manually), once again MNL turned to the CAD to communicate with the customer, illustrating which assemblies moved, and be what extent. Animated movies were produced and sent to the customer to once again demonstrate the intended movements of the model.

Once 3D data was approved the manufacturing processes started. Many larger components were CNC machined from ABS for accuracy, strength and durability. Some components were produced via SLS, whilst the rubber items were made from silicon tooling. The chain was made in one assembly by connex machinery.

Vibrant colours were used to draw attention to the model at the trade show. The different colours illustrated the various areas and USPs of the design and function of the machine. MNL suggested having the sides of the model in clear acrylic to show internal components and how they function.

Once the model was completed a purpose-built plinth and flight case were produced so the model could be shipped worldwide without the worry of it getting damaged. Then to finally finish the model a Perspex cover was produced.

Malcolm Nicholls Ltd. (MNL) showcases our expertise in bridging the gap between initial product concepts and mass market production, as demonstrated by our conceptual 3D printed, vacuum metalised taps.

From Design to Reality: The Power of Prototyping

These taps were entirely designed in-house using SolidWorks, our preferred CAD software. Once the design was finalised, we utilised our state-of-the-art Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) machine to 3D print the taps in durable PA Nylon.

Elevating the Prototype: Expert Finishing and Metalization

Our highly skilled finishing department meticulously hand-finished the printed taps to achieve a flawless gloss. We then employed vacuum metalising, a specialised technique, to provide the taps with a stunning chrome finish.

As head injuries remain a concern for skiers and snowboarders, especially among young participants, the demand for stylish and safe helmets continues to rise. This case study explores how Malcolm Nicholls Ltd (MNL) collaborated with a leading design agency to create a 3D printed helmet prototype that merges safety with aesthetics.

The Challenge:

A renowned product design company approached MNL with the goal of 3D printing a child’s snowboard helmet prototype, requiring an impeccable gloss finish. The key aspects of the project were:

• High-Quality Model: The client demanded a high-quality model for showcasing the design concept.
• Safety and Style: The helmet needed to prioritise safety while incorporating a stylish aesthetic.
• Flawless Finish: Achieving a mirror-like gloss finish without compromising functionality.

The Solution:

MNL utilised SLS technology to 3D print both the helmet and visor frame for the prototype. Following the printing process, our expert finishing team meticulously hand-sanded the components, eliminating any build lines and creating a smooth surface. This crucial step ensures the perfect foundation for achieving the desired gloss finish.

“Golf Europe” is Europe’s comprehensive golf show, exclusively for suppliers and buyers in the golfing world. PowaKaddy, the world famous market leader in golf cart technology had a substantial stand in the Munich show back in October of last year(ed 2004). It was at this show that they unveiled their latest powered golf cart, the P5™ prototyped using the Viper SLA.

The plastic components on the show carts were all produced using advanced prototype technologies at Malcolm Nicholls Limited. 3D printed Stereolithography (SLA) masters were produced using the size advantage of MNL’s SLA5000 coupled with intricate detailing that the Viper Hi resolution SLA machine offers. The two technologies were used side by side to manufacture hybrid masters. “MNL typically replace detailed areas such as those found on product logos with a piece produced on the Viper SLA machine” explained Ross Nicholls, MNL’s General Manager. “The Viper gives us excellent detail, clarity and crispness. Quality is what this company was founded on; The Viper helps us to maintain our high standards” Nicholls continued. The highly-skilled model-making team were able to apply the same surface finish to the masters as that found on the rest of the PowaKaddy product range. Silicon tooling replicated these masters resulting in a total of eight sets of polyurethane castings that closely simulated the injection moulded components. The consistency in surface finish was matched with the consistency in accuracy. “We used to have to tweak most of the prototype parts that other RP companies supplied to us; however since using Malcolm Nicholls Limited we simply assembled the plastic prototypes to the tubular framework” explained Lee Manvell, New Product Development Design Engineer at PowaKaddy. The completely new handle design was prototyped using another of MNL’s tools. The handle seen in the photos is a nylon Selective Laser Sintered (SLS) component, produced on the HiQ Sinterstation. The SLS parts were finished and painted to match the other components. A textured rubber-like skin with golf ball dimples was over-moulded onto the SLS handle. Once again SLA masters were produced to facilitate the silicone tools required for the over-moulding.

PowaKaddy sell into more than 50 countries, and following the show, the carts have toured the world visiting their various resellers and distributors.

Functional prototypes have also been produced of various accessories including an SLS umbrella holder in Glass-filled nylon. “These parts were fantastic; they were so strong we were able to treat them like production mouldings.” concluded Manvell. PowaKaddy have put their prototypes to good use; including production assembly trials, photographic shoots for sales & marketing literature and of course the excellent fully functioning sales aids for the trade show in Munich.