{"id":9490,"date":"2023-01-23T12:52:14","date_gmt":"2023-01-23T11:52:14","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/initial.mentalworks.me\/foire-aux-questions\/"},"modified":"2024-07-24T11:14:07","modified_gmt":"2024-07-24T09:14:07","slug":"frequently-asked-questions","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/initial.mentalworks.me\/en\/frequently-asked-questions\/","title":{"rendered":"Frequently Asked Questions"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Your project <\/h2>\n <\/div>\n
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\n I need a quote, what information do I need to send you? \n <\/div>\n
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To order an online 3D print<\/a><\/b> : a 3D file, preferably in STL, STEP or IGES format (or failing this a drawing or a sketch with dimensions), the quantity of parts and the type of
\nfinish
\n<\/a> required; if you know them, the technology and material you would like, if not, the thermal, mechanical, dimensional, etc. constraints and the end use.
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For 3D scanning<\/a><\/b>: send us the item to be scanned or at least photos taken from different angles, as well as the dimensions (x, y, z).<\/span><\/p>\n

For your mold<\/a> and injection molding<\/a> price enquiries<\/b>: STEP or IGES files, the required tool life, the material to be injected, the type of mould (pre-production, short run, prototype or mass production), the need for an inspection report, the part finish (mirror polished, polishing on ejection). <\/span><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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\n How long will it take for me to receive a price and lead time quote? \n <\/div>\n
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You will usually receive quotes for online 3D printing within a few hours.
\nFor more delicate or complex projects, you should allow up to 3 days.
\nYou will receive Metal Sintering and Casting quotes within 5 days.
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You will usually receive Study, 3D Scanning, Casting and Tooling quotes within 2 weeks.
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\n I have a confidential project to submit to INITIAL, what safeguards do you offer? \n <\/div>\n
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INITIAL undertakes not to disclose any information relating to its customers\u2019 projects.
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Of course, you can also send us a confidentiality agreement (NDA: Non Disclosure Agreement) to sign.
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\n Do you have a quality management system and certification? \n <\/div>\n
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We regard quality management as one of the keys to our success.
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We are EN 9100 and ISO 9001 certified for all our activities.
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We also have CIR (Research Tax Credit) and CII (Innovation Tax Credit) accreditations.
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All our certifications and accreditations can be downloaded from the <\/span>\u201cDocumentation<\/a>\u201d section.<\/span><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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\n What are your general terms & conditions of sale? \n <\/div>\n
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Our <\/span>General Terms & Conditions of Sale<\/span> are available in the <\/span>\u201cDocumentation<\/a>\u201d section.<\/span><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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\n What are your general purchasing conditions? \n <\/div>\n
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Our <\/span>General Purchasing Conditions <\/span>are available in the <\/span>\u201cDocumentation<\/a>\u201d section.<\/span><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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\n I would like to receive a brochure from you. \n <\/div>\n
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Our <\/span>brochure<\/span> is available in and can be downloaded from the <\/span>\u201cDocumentation<\/a>\u201d section.<\/span><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n\n\n

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Product design <\/h2>\n <\/div>\n
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\n What software do you use for studies and simulation? \n <\/div>\n
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We use PTC Creo\u00ae, CATIA, Solidworks, PRO Simulate and Keyshot.
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\n What kind of study can you successfully carry out? \n <\/div>\n
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Our team has extensive experience of designing industrial products, in particular for the medical, household appliances, sports\/leisure sectors, etc.
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\n I need to subcontract the mechanical and electronic aspects of my project. Can you take charge of this? \n <\/div>\n
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INITIAL will look after the mechanical side of your project and use partner companies for electronics.
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\n Do you have in-house designers? \n <\/div>\n
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We can include design aspects in our quotes, as we work closely with preferred partners for design.
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\n Can INITIAL take charge of filing a patent? \n <\/div>\n
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No, we do not file patents but we can put you in touch with a patent agent.
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\n What size projects can you handle? \n <\/div>\n
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We develop more than 150 products\/year.
\nWe manage both projects that last a few days and those that last a few months.
\nWe have a capacity of more than 1000 development hours.
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\n Is it possible to approve the design? \n <\/div>\n
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Yes, we have a number of resources at our disposal:
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Rapid prototyping using 3D printing, simulation (calculations), risk analysis (e.g.: FMECA).
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3D scanning \/ Inspection \/ Reverse engineering\n <\/h2>\n <\/div>\n
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\n What tolerances are obtained using 3D scanning resources?\n \n <\/div>\n
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For small parts thanks to the GOM \u00ae<\/span>Small Objects module<\/span>, we expect accuracy of the order of +\/-0.01 mm.
\n At the other end of the scale, for a 20m long wind turbine rotor we obtain +\/-0.6 mm.
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Here is <\/span>the summary table of the tolerances<\/span> we expect.<\/span><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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\n I have a fragile item for scanning, what solutions are there?\n \n <\/div>\n
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We have a very accurate optical scanning system.
\n The GOM ATOS scanner is perfectly suited to fragile or soft parts, as it works by projecting fringes of light.
\n If your part is too fragile or too large to be sent to us, or if it is being used in production, we can also come to you and perform scanning on site.
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\n What size parts can be scanned?\n \n <\/div>\n
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We can scan parts measuring 10 mm using the Small Objects module, but also items several metres long using photogrammetry.
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\n For inspection\/testing, what is the advantage of 3D scanning?\n \n <\/div>\n
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We supply you with an inspection report including a 3D colour map of discrepancies, PDF format screenshots, as well as 3D visualisation and measurement software.
\n This makes it possible to easily create sections and dimensions at a later date, and to accurately and fully check discrepancies in the scanned geometry.
\n The entire item and not just a part of it is inspected, covering both its geometry and dimensions.
\n This highlights, for example, defects associated with plastic injection (sink marks, distortion, burrs, etc.)
\n Interpretation of the inspection report is performed instantly and is easily understood, even by non-experts.
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\n What are the possible applications of 3D scanning?\n \n <\/div>\n
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Creation of a DFN, direct machining a copy of your model, digital archiving, dimensional control, producing a map of discrepancies between the DFN for the actual part and the theoretical DFN.
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\n I have a photo and would like to obtain a 3D file, is this possible?\n \n <\/div>\n
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No, it\u2019s not possible to recreate a complex 3D form from photographs.
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The 3D model needs to be created using CAD.
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\n Is contactless scanning possible?\n \n <\/div>\n
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For fragile parts, the ATOS scanner can be used for contactless 3D scanning.
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3D Printing \/ Additive Manufacturing <\/h2>\n <\/div>\n
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\n What is Additive Manufacturing? \n <\/div>\n
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We talk about rapid, additive or e-manufacturing when 3-dimensional parts are produced using a digital file.
\nThe process is known as \u201cadditive\u201d as it is based on production involving depositing layers of material.
\nWe use multiple technologies and numerous 3D printing materials to handle all of your projects.
\n<\/span>Check out our entire range of plastic and metal <\/b>3D<\/b> printing <\/b>technologies.<\/b><\/p>\n\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n

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\n What are the advantages of Additive Manufacturing? \n <\/div>\n
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This technology offers numerous advantages compared to more conventional processes.
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