Case study

Omega Tool Corp: reusable paint masks in ULTEM 9085 resin

Injection molds and painting · FDM (F3300, ULTEM 9085 resin)

Omega Tool Corp, founded in 1981, designs and builds large, complex injection molds. It also offers engineering, production, painting and additive manufacturing.

The challenge

Omega needed masking fixtures for a high-heat paint line: 200–265 °F (93–129 °C) for at least 40 minutes. The masks had to stay rigid and work again and again. Tapes and molded masks were not heat resistant enough, or too slow and costly to make.

The solution

Omega prints the masks in ULTEM 9085 resin on its Stratasys F3300. The F3300 prints up to 3x faster than legacy extrusion printers. ULTEM 9085 has an HDT of 178 °C (353 °F) at 66 psi and resists chemicals.

Omega also built a modular, reconfigurable paint fixture with printed ULTEM 9085 elements. It supported a 30 lb (about 14 kg) part through all phases of painting.

The results

No warpage or loss of rigidity, and no deformation after repeated use
Minimal dimensional change of 1.2 mm, within the 2 mm design limit
Clean coverage with no paint contamination in masked areas
Faster production and design freedom for complex masking shapes

Application: Masking tools

Printed masks and modular fixtures hold parts during painting or coating and replace hours of manual taping.

More about jigs & fixtures

Source: Stratasys Application Guide and Stratasys case material. Photo: Stratasys.

Want to explore this application?

SEIDO Systems is Stratasys Platinum Partner across Benelux, France and the Nordics. Contact us for advice, a demo or a test print.