Penta Patterns is a pattern and modelling company based in a state-of-the-art facility in Hinckley, Leicestershire. Working alongside the UK’s largest motorsport companies to produce highly-durable composites, they also create bespoke prototypes models for designers and artists.
Penta Patterns has been shaping innovation since 1985 and their latest investment in Stratasys 3D printing from SYS Systems has allowed them to stay ahead of the curve once again.
Project Brief:
Creating on average 30 -40 patterns a day, Penta Patterns clients demand high-quality, one-off pieces.
Factory Manager, Kristian Winspur explained: “You might get one set of patterns for a statue done in a couple of weeks, or you might be working on patterns throughout those two weeks for a different industry.”
Given the emphasis on quality and uniqueness, Penta Patterns needed a solution that would enable them to efficiently produce intricate designs while maintaining their reputation for excellence.
Neil Walker, Managing Director at Penta Patterns, said: “Our customers value the quality over the price. When our customers see our parts, they’re happy first time, and we’re not doing any remedial work.”
Wanting faster lead times, greater customisation abilities and faster feedback on designs, Penta Patterns invested in a Stratasys J55 Prime 3D printer from SYS Systems.
The Solution:
The Stratasys J55 Prime, provided a significant improvement in production speed, flexibility, and material options to better Penta Patterns production process.
“We do quite a lot of casting resins,” explained Neil. “The J55 Prime covers an option of colours, resins and different plastics. It meant that we could print those items and get them straight off to the customer to actually hold them. Normally, we can’t do that.”
Before deciding to invest in the J55 Prime, Penta Patterns enlisted the support and expertise of the SYS Systems team.
“We spoke to Stratasys about what sort of printers are out there and what would be the best route to go down,” said Kristian. “The communication was phenomenal. It was a no-brainer, to be honest.”
The Benefits:
The Stratasys J55 Prime 3D printer brought numerous benefits to Penta Patterns, revolutionising their manufacturing processes and delivering value to their clients.
The increased efficiency allows the company to take on more projects and meet tight deadlines without compromising on quality.
“The timescale you’re probably talking about was a month where realistically on the printer, we could be talking four to five hours. That’s the difference,” said Kristian.
The J55 Prime 3D printer has also reduced production costs significantly, allowing Penta Patterns to provide their clients with high-quality products at a more competitive price.
Neil said: “If we were making a scale model with traditional processes, it would probably cost us over £1,000. That would probably cost us a couple of £100 to do on the printer. The cost saving there is massive.”
The wide range of materials, colours and resins PolyJet technology offers, Penta Patterns have been able to create highly customised products for their clients.
“The spec of the J55 can print much more accurate models,” said Kristian. “The different colours you can have in different materials was a big for us as well as amalgamating multiple materials into our products.”
Outside traditional uses of PolyJet technology, Penta began exploring potential applications within engineering. The J55’s ability to quickly and accurately create jigs, fixtures, and other engineering components has provided Penta Patterns with a new level of versatility.
“As a core base in manufacturing, we’ve always used CNCs. We have decided to look into getting the new J55 as they are better than CNC machining for certain things,” explained Kristian.
Why SYS Systems and Stratasys?
The Stratasys J55 Prime 3D printer has proven to be a game-changer for Penta Patterns, enabling them to meet the unique demands of their clients while improving efficiency, cost savings, and customisation capabilities, made possible by SYS Systems.
“When you see what these machines can do, it’s amazing. Just go for it, and you’ll be astounded,” said Neil.
