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About Project

In the world of industrial design, seeing is believing-but feeling is understanding. We recently completed a project that perfectly captures the power of rapid prototyping: a custom-designed forklift scale model. This wasn’t just a simple print; it was a journey from a complex 3D assembly to a polished, professional display piece.

The model features intricate detailing, from the functional-looking overhead guard and multi-stage mast to the textured tread on the heavy-duty tires. By using 3D printing, we were able to capture the sharp edges and complex internal geometry of the operator’s cabin, including a miniature steering wheel and control dashboard. This level of fidelity allows engineers and clients to validate ergonomics and aesthetics long before a single piece of full-scale steel is cut. It’s the ultimate bridge between a 2D screen and a finished product.

Why 3D Printing for Industrial Models?

Building a model like this using traditional methods would take weeks of manual labor. With additive manufacturing, we can move from a CAD file to a physical object in a fraction of the time.

• Rapid Iteration: Test different mast heights or cabin configurations in days, not months.
• Complex Geometries: Print consolidated assemblies that would be impossible to machine.
• Cost-Efficiency: Perfect for low-volume presentation models or one-off functional prototypes.

Bringing Your Ideas to Life with FacFox

If you’re looking to turn your own industrial designs into high-quality physical models like this forklift, FacFox is your premier partner. As a leading one-stop on-demand manufacturing service, FacFox offers over 100 industrial-grade materials and 20+ manufacturing technologies, including SLA, SLS, and FDM. Whether you need a single aesthetic prototype or a small batch of functional parts, their expert team provides free manufacturability feedback and rapid global delivery.

Ready to start your next project? Visit FacFox.com to get an instant quote and see how their cutting-edge 3D printing solutions can accelerate your development cycle.

Solution

• Step 1: The digital design was finalized in CAD software, and the model was segmented into individual components, including the chassis, mast, and specific files for the transparent cabin panels.
• Step 2: High-resolution SLA (Stereolithography) 3D printers were utilized; opaque components were printed in standard resin, while the windows were printed separately using a specialized SLA Clear Resin.
• Step 3: Once the printing was complete, the parts were removed from the build plates, and the temporary support structures were carefully detached using specialized hand tools.
• Step 4: Each component was thoroughly cleaned in an isopropyl alcohol bath to remove excess uncured resin, after which they were placed in a UV curing chamber to reach full structural integrity.
• Step 5: The opaque surfaces were sanded by hand to eliminate layer lines, while the clear resin panels underwent a rigorous multi-stage wet-sanding process to transition them from a translucent state to full transparency.
• Step 6: A professional primer was applied to the body parts, followed by several layers of industrial-grade paint in the signature orange, black, and silver color scheme.
• Step 7: The clear resin panels were finished with a high-gloss, UV-resistant clear coat to enhance their transparency and prevent yellowing over time.
• Step 8: The final assembly was performed, during which the wheels, mast, and clear-printed cabin panels were joined using high-strength adhesives to create the completed model.