Laminated Object Manufacturing (LOM)

LOM is the process by which a single beam laser cuts the outline of a part (slice) on a sheet of heat sensitive paper. Once the cross-sectional outline is complete, another sheet of paper is layered on the first, and the configuration of the next slice is traced by the laser. This cutting and laminating process continues until the entire part is modeled. What results is a prototype model with the consistency of wood.

PML has been building LOM models in-house for over five years for prototyping, molds.

CNC Milling

One of the keys to our engineering services is a full complement of machinery that allows complete in-house rapid prototype design and development. During the summer of 1996, PML added a Computer Numerical Controlled (CNC) mill to our engineering department. We now have four mills for any size project. We use the mills for many rapid prototype design and development projects and machine a variety of parts and materials.

Our mills provide precision machining and use industry standard G Code, so PML can generate toolpaths and NC programs within our CAD systems.

Software Tools

PML has the software and engineering workstations to complement the inspection and manufacturing equipment.

PML computer workstations run Varimetrix, AutoCAD, CADKEY, Solid View, Desk Artes, and more. PML uses a number of established file formats, for example: IGES, DXF, STL, STEP, DWG, PRT, EXP, and ASCII. Customers provide data from many different systems and in many different forms and as such we have the systems to handle a large variety.

For inspection, PML has developed our own software to handle surfaces. Our software, SurfCheck, can fit a point cloud to a surface model and produce color-coded reports.

Protomix

Our Protomix machine from Camattini has given us the capability to produce quickly small quantities of precision plastic components with various mechanical characteristics. Protomix is a vacuum casting system for creation of silicon molds, and subsequent injection of polyurethane resins. Any master can be used for the vacuum casting process whether it is an existing part, a machined part or a pattern from CNC or LOM rapid prototyping.

PML can provide you with plastic parts for numerous applications such as rigid prototypes for functional and assembly testing, electronic enclosures with snap features, components for high temperature testing, transparent parts with optical quality, elastic prototypes, moisture resistant components for fluid analysis, and many other applications.