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About First Part
First Part China Limited is original from ZXmade which was set up by Doctor Yang (Young) in March, 2005. ZXmade started rapid tooling manufacturingsince it was built and got involved in rapid CNC prototyping one year later,
after another year endeavor,
ZXmade decided to focus in rapid precision engineering for complex prototyping jobs to improve the competency,
which now has led the Chinese RP field since the second half year of 2007.
Now, ZXmade has combined rapid tooling, rapid prototyping and rapid precision engineering technologies in the rapid manufacturing service, as we know, this is unique in China.
A very famous western owned prototyping company found ZXmade in September, 2008 and made ZXmade as their key supplier for precision prototyping, metal forming and machined extrusion parts for exports. This has helped ZXmade greatly in improving their quality standards and management to meet export standards, but with 100% Chinese costing.
On the 1st day of June, 2010, James Li Xuezhong (An ex-shareholder and sales director of a very famous western prototyping company) joined forces with ZXmade and renamed it as First Part China Limited. James combines his 5 years western trading and service experience with ZXmade¡¯s 5 years rapid manufacturing experience for export with 100% Chinese costing .This is unique and superb competitive globally! We are very low cost but high efficiency and high quality!
Our Service
First Part China provides professional CNC Milling, Precision Engineering, Gear Machining, SLA & SLS (3D Printing), Vacuum Casting, Sheet Metal Forming, Machined Extrusion Parts, Silicone Rubber Keypads, Investment Casting, Rapid Injection Moulding and Die Casting services..
First Part China uses many different rapid prototyping processes, each with specific materials and techniques to achieve a desired end result. They will guide you through the best prototyping options to suit your project, end use and budget.
Product Scope
IT components: Telephones, Cell Phones, Speakers, IPOD, MP4;
Home appliances: Televisions, LCD, Air Conditioners, Vacuum Cleaners, Irons, Coffee Machines, Electric Shaverr and Small Home Appliances;
Office appliances: Printer, Scanners, Copier, Computers;
Medical facilities: X-ray scanning machines, electronic facilities;
Housing, Lighting Parts, Cameras, Telescopes;
Aerospace Industry and Analytical Industry, All Kinds of Machinery Parts, Heat Sink Parts and Other Metal Components.
Advantage
Below are the highlights with the rating of our services:
>>5-stars stands for very good western standard,
>>4-stars stands for good western standard.
Machining:
¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï1. Precision machining in plastics and metals (Milling + EDM Eroding + Wire Eroding + Grinding)
¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï2. Forming for sheet metals, wire metals and sheet plastics
¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï3. Extrusion for aluminium and steel
¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï4. Investment Casting in brass, steel and zinc
¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡î5. Rapid Injection tooling and pressure die-casting
¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï For quality
¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ïFor cost/leadtime (for export)
Standard Finishing for all materials:
¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï1. Brushing
¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï2. Polishing
¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï3. Bead blasting
¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡î4. Painting(not perfect for high gross paint)
¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï5. Silk-screen
¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï¡ï6. Pad Printing
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Part Scanning
The Reverse Parts process is simple, accurate and fast.
1. Scan a part using a white light or laser scanner (STL)
2. Determine Design Intent
2. Create fully functional 3D Model (Solidworks, IGES, STEP)
3. Create fully dimensioned Working Drawings.
Precision Engineering
>>Highlights
The favours of Precision Engineering: a lot choices of real materials, very good accuracy, repeatability in using and good for dozens to a few hundred rapid production.
We are able to deliver the benefits of machining at a very competitive price point and in leadtimes of typically 7 calendar days or less.
Plastic material options: ABS, PC, POM, PP, PMMA, PBT, PTFE, Nylon, 30% GF Nylon, PEEK and PVC
Metal material options: Aluminium, Zinc, Magnesium , Brass, Copper, Bronze, Mild Steel, Stainless Steel , Tool Steel, Tungsten and Titanium
Data format for machining is preferably STEP or IGES, STL is sufficient for quotation but not viable for completing the order.
>>Minimum Feature Size
This is a geometry function as with machining it is also related to cutter reach/feature location. Preferably the smallest cutters used would be 1 mm, leaving a 0.5mm internal radius.
However 0.2 mm cutters can be used if required.
>>Bed Sizes
Bed sizes up to 1000 x 600 mm are readily available with access to larger machines as required.
>>Post Processing
Most machined parts are manually dressed smooth and can be left natural, polished primed or painted as required. You can download our plastic and metal material sheet to see more finishing available for different materials.
>>Description
Most machining work undertaken is 3 axis milling or turning as applicable. In some instances it is necessary to combine machining with fabrication where the part size is large, stock sizes are insufficient or complexity/reach prohibit access. In these instances all parts are assembled and dressed such that any indication of fabrication is removed.
Whilst parts may be supplied in a natural state, it is more common to supply parts dressed and primed ready for a final topcoat, or fully finished with texture/gloss finish as applicable.
Metal Forming & Extrusion
>> We provide sheet metal forming, tube metal forming and wire metal forming from one single piece to a few thousand pieces, this is a very good value prototyping service from First Part China.
>>Technics: precision routing, punching and folding
Sheet metals: ALU, Brass, Mild Steel, Stainless Steel and Spring Steel
Tube metals: ALU, Brass, Mild Steel and Stainless Steel
Wire metals: Brass, Mild Steel, Stainless Steel and Spring steel
>> We provide machined aluminium extrusion parts from one single piece to a few thousand pieces, this is very a good value prototyping service from First Part China. For most cases it is a better solution than wire eroding.
CNC Milling
>>Highlights
The favours of CNC milling rapid prototypes: a lot choices of real materials, good accuracy and repeatability in using
We are able to deliver the benefits of machining at a very competitive price point and in leadtimes of typically 7 calendar days or less. ABS parts and aluminium/aluminum parts are the most popular and cost effective solutions for prototyping in China.
Plastic material options: ABS, PC, POM, PP, PMMA, PBT, PTFE, Nylon, 30% GF Nylon, PEEK and PVC.
Metal material options: Aluminium, Zinc, Magnesium , Brass, Copper, Bronze, Mild Steel, Stainless Steel , Tool Steel, Tungsten and Titanium.
Data format for machining is preferably STEP or IGES, STL is sufficient for quotation but not viable for completing the order.
>>Minimum Feature Size
This is a geometry function as with machining it is also related to cutter reach/feature location. Preferably the smallest cutters used would be 1 mm, leaving a 0.5mm internal radius.
However 0.2 mm cutters can be used if required.
>>Bed Sizes
Bed sizes up to 1000 x 600 mm are readily available with access to larger machines as required.
>>Post Processing
Most machined parts are manually dressed smooth and can be left natural, polished primed or painted as required. You can download our plastic and metal material sheet to see more finishing available for different materials.
>>Description
Most machining work undertaken is 3 axis milling or turning as applicable. In some instances it is necessary to combine machining with fabrication where the part size is large, stock sizes are insufficient or complexity/reach prohibit access. In these instances all parts are assembled and dressed such that any indication of fabrication is removed.
Whilst parts may be supplied in a natural state, it is more common to supply parts dressed and primed ready for a final topcoat, or fully finished with texture/gloss finish as applicable.
SLA & SLS
>>We now can offer SLA (stereolithography) and SLS (laser sintering) with FREE FINISHING thanks to Chinese low labor cost.
But for most parts especially parts bigger than 200mm in size, we would suggest to use CNC milling technique as the solution in China for better costing, leadtime, cosmetic and function needs. CNC machine in real plastics and metals are best sold prototypes to the west from China.
Vacuum Casting
>>Highlights
Vacuum casting is ideal for producing small quantities of parts, especially if aesthetics are important. The master part, typically produced by Stereolithography or CNC machining is dressed and textured as required before establishing parting planes, feeds etc. The master is then mounted within a frame and liquid silicone cast around it. After curing the master is cut out to leave a cavity into which a variety of polyurethanes can be cast under vacuum.
The silicone has sufficient flexibility that undercuts can be released by flexing the tool, although deep draws may require additional tooling splits.
Tool life varies with resin cast, but is typically around 20 parts by which time the tool surface has started to harden and the tool flexibility deteriorates. Using multiple masters and producing multi cavity tools can produce greater quantities, although cavity life will remain around 20 parts.
The process is relatively labour intensive and typically requires between 2 and 5 days to produce first off castings. This is on top of the time to manufacture and dress the master part. These times are dependent upon part size as this affects material curing times.
In evaluating vacuum casting, especially if quantities require multiple cavities, it may be worth considering RIM or injection moulding. Alternatively if quantities are low it may prove faster and more cost effective to make multiple laser sintered parts. These alternatives are dependent upon part size, complexity and time available.
(download material sheet with color and finishing available for vacuum casting).
>>Process Features
>Accuracy
Tolerances vary depending on material and supplier, however as a general rule using ¡À 0.25mm to 100mm and ¡À 0.25% thereafter will provide a 'safe' estimate. Note these are process tolerances and should be applied on top of any master part tolerance.
Minimum Feature Size: In a similar way to injection moulding, this is determined by the ability to get the polyurethane to 'flow' into small features. As a wall section, 1mm is about the minimum achievable, however if the area is small enough this can be improved upon.
>Machine sizes
Vary from circa 530 x 450 x 425 mm (maximum tool size) up to 1500x800x500mm.
>Post processing
Little post processing is usually required, the finish is achieved by dressing and texturing the master part before casting the tool. After casting the part there is only the feed and riser removal, although in some very colour critical conditions the parts are sometimes painted. (usually this is a colour pigment added to the resin)
The process steps can be summarised as
1. Manufacture a master part and dress to achieve the required aesthetics
2. Ensure the master part is clean and sealed (some materials will react with the silicone)
3. Establish a parting line and apply coloured tape around the it
4. Construct a casting frame and after attaching a feed and risers, suspend the master part in the casting frame
5. Degass the silicone and pour into the casting frame, degassing the cast tool again to remove any entrained air and then leaving to cure
6. When fully cured, remove the casting frame and cut open the silicone to the coloured tape / parting line
7. The master model can now be removed, the tool reassembled, taped together and sent for casting
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Rapid Injection Moulding
>>Highlights
We provide very low cost Rapid Plastic Molds and Plastic Molding to challenge some high quantity vacuum casting applications and delivery can come down to 2 weeks or less. These two issues cannot always be achieved simultaneously, however injection moulding must now be considered as a prototyping solution with the potential to also address early production requirements.
The greatest upside to using this process is that it delivers the production intent material and, once the tooling is in place, parts are available quickly and at low cost.
In considering injection moulding as a prototyping solution, there are many factors that have to be addressed and many alternatives that must be considered. The most important issue to consider is whether the production intent material is really a requirement, if it is, then understanding the available time and attention to the CAD model are both paramount.
>>Process Features
>Accuracy
Tolerances vary depending on material, filler, tooling strategy, geometry etc. It is always recommended to identify critical dimensions and make these available at the quotation phase.
>Minimum Feature Size
With the advent of micro moulding any comments on minimum feature sizes became redundant! This is linked to a number of features in the geometry as well as the tooling strategy selected.
>Machine sizes
The most common sized moulding machine is around 80 tonnes, and access to presses up to 250 tonnes is straightforward. From 250 to 1000 tonnes access becomes more difficult and more expensive, but remains feasible.
>Post processing
Negligible post processing is usually required, unless quantities are sufficiently low that some features are to be post machined to minimise tooling costs. Resins are pigmented and any texturing is included in the tooling.
>Description
Some critical issues to clarify before searching for tooling are
1. The realistic leadtime that you seek. Speed will cost a premium, so an accurate appreciation of the available leadtime after making allowances for the time to raise a purchase order, is a necessity.
2. The number of parts required both initially and over the life of the tool. This is important as if the initial batch is small enough it may be more economic to meet each requirement from a different solution.
3. Critical dimensions and their associated tolerances as these may preclude some approaches immediately.
4. Textures, are they required and if so where and to what specification.
5. Changes will frequently occur and most suppliers acknowledge this. However, if there are recognised areas of high risk within the tool, these should be highlighted to the supplier. This may result in a different approach and save time later on, if changes are indeed required.
6. Materials, evaluating different materials (or fillers) may be a possibility so long as there is an appreciation of the effect this can have on shrinkage and hence dimensional accuracy.
If you are new to injection moulding it is best to involve a supplier from an early stage as this will ensure that the design matures as efficiently as possible and avoids any last minute delays.
Rapid Die Casting
>>Highlights
First Part China Provides low cost and high quality rapid tools for die casting to challenge the more conventional alternatives and delivery can come down to 3 - 4 weeks. Whilst these two issues cannot always be achieved simultaneously, and both are a function of part complexity, die casting must now be considered as a prototyping solution with the potential to also address early production requirements
.
The greatest upside to using this process is that it delivers the production intent material and, once the tooling is in place, parts are available quickly and at low cost.
In considering die casting as a prototyping solution, understanding the available time and attention to the CAD model are both paramount if goals are to be met.
>>Description
In this context and timeframes, the parts will tend to be simple. Large, complex undercut housings will still take an unacceptable time and are best approached via CNC. However where the requirement is for a couple of hundred parts, the tool is open/close and the data in good condition, die casting can provide an economic solution.
Investment Casting
Investment casting requires a pattern that is sacrificed for each metal casting. Conventionally this is made from wax.
>>Process Features
>>Accuracy
Linear tolerances of ¡À 0.25mm for dimensions of less than 25mm and an extra allowance of ¡À 0.12mm/25mm after that. Tighter tolerances can be obtained in consultation.
>>Minimum Feature Size
As a general guide wall sections below 1.5mm should not be considered.
Materials: Zinc, Mild Steel, Stainless Steel and Brass are currently available.
- Part Scanning
- Precision Engineering
- Metal Forming & Extrusion
- Rapid Prototyping
- »» CNC Milling
- »» SLA & SLS
- »» Vacuum Casting
- Low Volume Parts
- »» Rapid Injection Moulding
- »» Rapid Die Casting
- »» Investment Casting
