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CREAT3D Case Study
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USING ADDITIVE MANUFACTURING AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO CNC MILLING

"3D printing is an essential part of our product development process at Astro Lighting. We have been 3D printing, in-house, for the last 15 years. The cost and time saved because of this technology has been beyond measure.”

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Rob Speck, Engineering Manager, Astro Lighting

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> ABOUT ASTRO LIGHTING

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Founded in 1997, John Fearon and James Bassant came together to create Astro with a shared commitment to British lighting design and a passion for quality and precision. Astro’s creative ethos has remained consistent throughout – that good design demands simplicity. Astro design all of their light fittings in-house, and bring a large number of new designs to market each year.

> PROCESS

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The prototype for Astro Lighting’s Altea 360 LED wall light combines two materials on the Formlabs Form 2 SLA 3D printer: White resin for the Altea diffuser and Grey Pro resin for the Altea body. Combining the printed white resin diff user with a working light fitted between the two printed parts, allowed the team to replicate the diffusion of light through the model. 


Prior to bringing additive technology in-house, the team at Astro Lighting would have used CNC milling to fabricate this working prototype. The printed assembly was produced as per the final production part with a much shorter lead time, giving the ability to rapidly test fi t, function and assembly.

3D PRINTED

LIGHTING PROTOTYPE

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TRADITIONAL FABRICATION

Cost of £800 for the full assembly, using CNC milling

3D PRINTING

Cost of £25 for the full assembly

COST SAVING

97% cost saving

TIME SAVING

Lead time reduction from 2 weeks to 22 hours (93%)

Printed using Formlabs
Stereolithography (SLA)
3D Printers
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BUILD YOUR COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE

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As an independent Solutions Provider for Additive Manufacturing Technologies, we will share our cross-industry knowledge with you, so your company can gain a competitive advantage.

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Contact our team to discuss your application and receive a free test print.

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