Furthermore, TDL has garnered various international certifications and honors over the years, which stand as a testament to its pursuit and commitment to quality and service. These recognitions reinforce TDL's status as a trusted and reliable partner for businesses around the world.

CNC operation is determined by computer aided design (CAD) or computer aided manufacturing (CAM) data translated into Gcode – as used by 3D printers. The precision tool path in a CNC system creates an excellent surface finish, and parts can be sanded and finished on the same machine.

TDL Plastic Mould CO., Ltd, with over 28 years of leading the manufacturing industry in the areas of plastic injection molding, mold design, and manufacturing sees it befitting to announce its continuous commitment to precision and innovation.

WayKen specializes in an ability to machine a range of plastics (opaque and optically clear) and aluminum. In the CNC process, a toolhead gradually subtracts material from a solid block. As such, molecular stability of the base material remains constant producing a part with unparalleled tensile strength.

The primary SLA material used by WayKen is an ABS-like photopolymer, suitable for use in the lost-wax method of casting favoured in jewelry making and dental industries. SLS uses powdered Nylon feedstock, which acts like a support material throughout 3D printing, cutting down post-processing times. Parts made using SLS also benefit from the potential of nesting meaning that more designs can be 3D printed within the same build.

One of the main advantages of this process is material availability as virtually any material can be CNC machined. For this reason, and its use in industry since the 1940s, CNC machining remains the most common means of prototyping to date

“Traditional” processes at WayKen cover CNC plastic/metal parts machining, vacuum injection molding and rapid injection molding. In the case of CNC machining, a solid block of raw material can be used.

Luckily, the company’s quoting system quickly responds to enquiries within 24 hours by our allowing “On-time delivery — every time, no exceptions.” Request a quote from WayKen Rapid online now at WayKen.com.

The competitive price point for all services, according to the company’s website, is “normally 30%-50% less than the US/European prices, due to lower labor costs. Moreover allowing a quick project start compares to other rapid prototype companies.”

The rapid production time of 3D printing means it is finding increased uses throughout the medical industry. WayKen SLA & SLS 3D printing for medicine can be used to make hand held appliances, concept models, and new devices in low volume, e.g. diagnostic equipment, surgical instruments, electronic apparatus and ultrasonic systems. These devices are valuable for surgical planning, simulation and also to map dental correction procedures.

Additionally, TDL’s commitment to quality is absolute and never changing as demonstrated over the years in their products and services. The paramount importance they place on quality is authenticated in their rigorous quality assurance measures and advanced testing equipment, including optical inspection tools, CMM (Coordinate Measuring Machine), and hardness testers. These tools are in place to guarantee that every product regardless of the volume of production meets every stringent industry specification and international quality standards.

Established in Hong Kong and located in Shenzhen, WayKen is a contender for China’s most experienced prototype manufacturer. The WayKen Prototype shop operates across two sites, one for plastic and one for metal. In total, the facilities span 20,000 square feet, employing over 60 dedicated personnel. WayKen’s specialist prototyping services include 3D printing (particularly SLA and SLS), CNC milling and rapid tooling technology.As a service bureau operating within high value automotive, medical, and aerospace industries, WayKen Rapid’s expertise is in selecting the right technology for the specific application, and delivering results at a cost competitive with the west.

However, for TDL, innovation is a way of life and not just a frame of reference. They have consistently proven this across a bouquet of services which includes product design, mold design, CNC machining, rapid prototyping, 3D printing, and surface finishing. This comprehensive suite of services provides bespoke solutions for clients across the different industries ensuring that they get whatever their requirements are all under one roof.

3D printing services at WayKen are primarily laser-powered, offering a high level of speed and accuracy. WayKen stereolithography (SLA) is a UV based curing process, and selective laser sintering (SLS) uses a carbon dioxide laser.

Consequently, innovation has consistently driven every one of their successes with the different departments plugging into this innovative spirit. Practically every team in the company is made up of highly experienced professionals in their various fields. These veterans adopt innovative foresight as they push the boundaries of injection molding, mold design, and manufacturing. This path of innovation is responsible for TDL’s constant designation as an industry trailblazer.

Since its inception in 1995, TDL has been a trailblazer, especially in innovative solutions for mold design and mold manufacturing. Additionally, they have gained trusted partners based on their extensive experience and particularly their forward-thinking approach. Moreover, these business partners have come from various industries ranging from automotive components and consumer electronics to medical devices with TDL leaving its indelible marks on these various sectors.

SLS and SLA 3D printing are useful for fast response solutions. With digital operational tools like slicer software, the process does not require as much specialized training as CNC machining. With little labour involved, the manufacturing cost of 3D printing is priced based on the amount of materials. As larger parts cost more 3D printing is advantageous for small volumes and lightweight parts. Realtively simple structures, wth less demand for surface quality and precision parts, also benefit the most from WayKen’s 3D printing services. The technology is ideal for protoyping small medical devices, industrial tooling, and outer covering of electrical tools.

As far as resolution is concerned, the accuracy of CNC machining at WayKen is typically higher than 3D printing, between 0.02mm and 0.05mm – 0.10mm depending on geometry. Turnaround time for 3D printing is typically faster at just 2-5 days versus 3 – 8 days for CNC. This does however come at a tradeoff with the volume of products than can be produced. A typical SLA/SLS run can create 1 – 10 parts, whereas CNC has a range of 1 – 50.

Approximations of the general parameters of each process are detailed on WayKen.com in the company’s Technology Selection Guide, and a supporting Materials Selection Guide.

The question is – which technology should you choose? As a WayKen spokesperson states, “it is very difficult to get a standard answer to the cost comparison between 3D printing and CNC machining.” Instead, technology should be selected based on application.

CNC machined parts at WayKen on the other hand can be used to make functional prototypes which are suitable for engineering evaluation and testing. In contrast to the SLA and SLS services offered, CNC machining requires specially trained engineers to pre-program the processing parameters and toolpaths, then machine according to the programs. Manufacturing costs are therefore quoted taking the extra labor into account. CNC’s advantage is for machining parts with special requirements such as dimensional tolerances and surface qualities.

"Over the past 28 years, TDL has stood as a symbol of precision, innovation, and unwavering dedication to our clients. We are thrilled to reach this milestone, and we look ahead with excitement as we continue to shape the future of mold design and manufacturing. Our clients are not just partners; they are the driving force behind our innovation. We appreciate them for their trust and commitment to excellence, as we continue to deliver best-in-class services to them," said Emma Zhu, Project Manager.

DONGGUANG, China, November 13, 2023 (Newswire.com) - TDL Plastic Mould CO., Ltd, with over 28 years of leading the manufacturing industry in the areas of plastic injection molding, mold design, and manufacturing, sees it befitting to announce its continuous commitment to precision and innovation. Naturally, they have been unwavering in their dedication to a customer-centric approach to production and quality which has created a place for them as a global innovator in the injection molding field.

In some cases, it may even be beneficial to combine both additive and subtractive manufacturing process to complete an end goal. As an example, SLA and SLS could be used as a preliminary stage before moving the CNC machining.

In automotive, WayKen applies a plethora of CNC prototyping and rapid tooling methods to the production of spare parts. The services are useful to car manufacturers running limited trials of a car/motorcycle, and allow volume customization. WayKen automotive rapid prototyping is delivered as a complete service, guiding customers through proof of concept design reviews and mechanical component engineering tests, to show car projects and exterior/interior prototypes.