Written By; Kathy Oristaglio, For Progress & Innovation a TC Palm Publication
Photos By; Hobie Hiler
(this is a partial re-post from the original news article)
3-D printing is rapidly changing the face of many industries — from automotive to defense to medical. On-demand manufacturing and rapid prototyping allow for more efficient creation of specialized parts and product prototypes. 3D-Printing-Expert.com of Stuart is an up-and-coming company that specializes in 3-D printing, CAD design and 3-D rapid prototyping. The company has four employees as well as sub-contractors. It has a prototype shop in south Stuart and a 3-D printer in Jensen Beach. Founded in 2013 under the name Health Xtra, the firm originally positioned itself as a health product development company. Health product projects came through the door but so did numerous requests for making prototypes that had nothing to do with health care. So, a year later the company changed its name and expanded its services to include product design, manufacturing drawings, product licensing, pricing consulting, manufacturing consulting and manufacturing short runs.
Anthony DiChiara, the company’s president and chief product designer, said the typical inventors who come to 3D Printing Expert will have a sketch of their idea. Using the sketch, 3D Printing Expert designs a CAD 3-D model which is emailed to the client. “They get a full look and a full feel,” said DiChiara, “They get to be involved in the process — a lot of companies don’t do that. It gives them time to reflect, make changes.” From the CAD model, design files are created for 3-D printing of a prototype and to send to manufacturers for a production estimate. DiChiara said they have relationships with manufacturers in the U.S. and China.
3D Printing Inventor Clients can use one or all of the company’s services on any given project. “We work with inventors and companies a la carte, as well. They may just need help in one area of product development and we can jump in and help,” said DiChiara. Some of the projects the company has worked on, or is currently working on, include fishing gear, a type of tape measure, an electronic monitoring bracelet, engine boat hoses, flip flops, a high-tech design for a horseshoe, an emergency room breathing device, placemats for children and a cooler.
One local inventor whose product has been manufactured is Debbie Farnung. She used 3D Printing Expert to help take her idea for a swimming pool game, Rippleball, from concept to reality.
Another invention client, Dr. Philip Buttaravoli, an emergency medicine physician, came to 3D Printing Expert with his concept for a new breathing device for use in emergency rooms, which he coined “ManMax Airway.” Buttaravoli patented the concept years ago but was unable to find a traditional medical device manufacturer who was interested. “It’s hard to sell an idea to other people when it’s just a concept and a picture. I Googled 3-D printing and Anthony (3D Printing Expert) popped up,” he said. 3D Printing Expert took the project through the prototype stage. The product is now being tested for safety and effectiveness at a university. Buttaravoli hopes to have Food and Drug Administration approval to do test marketing in six months to a year. “Anthony has played a large part in my ability to take an idea and turn it into a real device that can be used on patients,” he said.
For the full article go to Progress and Innovation Magazine by TC Palm Newspapers
A message from the president/owner of 3D-Printing-Expert.com:
I’m here to assist inventors, companies and organizations with all their 3D Printing, CAD Product Design and Prototyping needs.
Thanks for taking the time to view this 3D Printing News Article web page.
I look forward to hearing from you, Anthony 772-934-6014