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XYZprinting Showcasing da Vinci Color mini and Three New 3D Printing Materials at CES 2019

Today in Las Vegas, CES 2019 officially kicked off, though the official CES Unveiled media event took place on Sunday at the Mandalay Bay hotel. Taiwan-based 3D printer manufacturer XYZprinting attended the media event and showed off its newest product, the consumer-oriented da Vinci Color mini, which was first introduced this summer. The company plans on unveiling several additions to its 3D printer line at the show this year, including an upgraded extruder option and an expanded filament line.

XYZprinting is committed to making 3D printing more accessible to the masses, and the compact da Vinci Color mini, its second-generation desktop full-colored FFF 3D printer, is crushing full-color 3D printing size and price barriers. It’s a good choice for consumers, designers, makers, and small business owners looking to use full-color 3D printing for the purposes of prototyping. The da Vinci Color mini uses the company’s 3DColorJet technology, which creates millions of color combinations by applying a single CMY ink cartridge to a color-absorbing PLA filament; however, it’s also possible to print in monochrome if you wish.

“Our investment in full-color 3d printing technology has opened the door to the next level of 3D printing innovation. By providing an affordable and compact full-color printer, we are very pleased to be bringing color 3D printing technology within reach for small businesses, schools, designers, makers and general consumers,” said XYZprinting CEO Simon Shen. “We will continue to provide innovative, high-quality 3D printers while making it affordable for everyone to utilize this technology and incorporate it into their daily lives.”

The da Vinci Color mini features a 5″ color touchscreen, which gives users an intuitive way to work the user interface, and also comes with a 5.1″ x 5.1″ x 5.1″ EZ-removable print bed.

In addition, there are several upgradeable options for the desktop 3D printer, such as a Laser Engraver module for engraving on leather, paper, wood, and other materials, and a Hardened Steel nozzle for 3D printing with some of the company’s newest materials.

The newest filaments by XYZprinting include a Metallic PLA and a Carbon Fiber PLA, which gives users access to higher-performing materials. The Hardened Steel nozzle upgrade, which is very wear-resistant in terms of these more abrasive materials, will cost 119.95 with the da Vinci Color series, and $79.95 for select XYZprinting 3D printers, like the da Vinci mini-series and the da Vinci Jr. Pro. series.


The company also launched an additional new filament that was designed with antibacterial properties. The special Antibacterial PLA inhabits bacterial growth by at least 99% through the use of silver ions, which majorly lowers the risk of infections.

Antibacterial PLA

Because the Antibacterial PLA comes with enhanced protection against germs and infections, it’s a safer and more hygienic choice of material for young kids who are just starting to learn about 3D printing. Educators and parents who use this new filament can rest assured that their 3D printing experience will yield safe, functional prints that can be used in the household and the classroom with no worries. A 600 gram spool of XYZprinting’s new Antibacterial PLA costs $29.95 on the company’s online eShop, and the material is compatible with the company’s Color series, Nano series, da Vinci Jr. and Jr. Pro series, and the da Vinci Super 3D printer.

The company’s newest 3D printer, along with its other new products, materials, and accompanying software, will be available for purchase by the end of the first quarter of 2019 on the XYZprinting online eShop. At just $1,599, the da Vinci Color mini is a more affordable option for users interested in full-color 3D printing. You can take a look at all of these new products, along with a range of other commercial 3D printers and ancillary products, at XYZprinting’s booth #31524 in South Hall 3 of the Las Vegas Convention Center (LVCC) at CES 2019 this week.

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[Images provided by XYZprinting]

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3D Printing News Briefs: November 13, 2018

We should really call today’s 3D Printing News Briefs the formnext 2018 Briefs, as announcements from the show are numerous this week. EnvisionTEC, XYZprinting, BASF, and DSM all introduced new 3D printing materials at the event in Frankfurt today, and in the only news not related to formnext, Imerys Ceramics has announced a new range of ceramic feedstocks.

EnvisionTEC Debuting First 4K 3D Printing System

At formnext, 3D printer manufacturer EnvisionTEC debuted the industry’s first DLP-based 3D printer that uses a true 4K projector with UV optics tuned to the 385 nm wavelength. Available in three production-ready variations, with a gray body and a 2560 x 1600 pixel projector resolution, the Perfactory P4K 3D printer delivers highly accurate parts with an ultra-smooth surface finish. Additionally, the Perfactory P4K, has access to the rest of the Perfactory line’s versatile materials portfolio for production capacity.

“The P4K is the highest resolution advanced DLP printer with the largest build envelope and deploys artificial intelligence in pixel modulation to deliver the highest accuracy parts with the smoothest available surface finish in the 3D printing space. This will deliver the next level of production-grade 3D printing solutions,” said Al Siblani, the CEO of EnvisionTEC.

The new Perfactory P4K will be on display at formnext all week.

XYZprinting Introducing New 3D Printing Materials

Another company introducing new materials at formnext this week is desktop 3D printing brand XYZprinting. In order to expand the capabilities of both domestic and professional grade 3D printers, the company is launching a new antibacterial PLA material, along with copper metallic PLA and Carbon PLA materials. The first of these can destroy up to 99% of bacteria, including E. coli and Staphylococcus aureus, and comes in four colors: white, red, yellow and neon green.

The copper metallic PLA, made of 65% copper powder, is a good alternative for hobbyists when it comes to sculpting metal for ornamental models. The material is being launched in conjunction with XYZprinting’s new nozzle, made of carbon hardened steel. Finally, the new Carbon PLA, which is also compatible with this new nozzle, is made of 10% carbon fiber, and its matte finish is ideal for showing off fine details. You can learn more about these new materials at XYZprinting’s booth D10 in Hall 3.1, where it will also be exhibiting its latest 3D printer, the da Vinci Color AiO, with a 3D scanner and optional laser engraver.

BASF 3D Printing Solutions Presents New Products at formnext

Germany-based BASF 3D Printing Solutions GmbH (B3DPS), a 100% subsidiary of BASF New Business GmbH, is also at formnext this week, to introduce several new materials for photopolymer and laser sintering methods, in addition to announcing some new partnerships and alliances. First, B3DPS is introducing flame-resistant Ultrasint Polyamide PA6 Black FR, Ultrasint PA6 Black LM X085, which is suitable for most current SLS 3D printers, and Ultrasint PP, a polypropylene with great plasticity, low moisture uptake, and resistance to liquids and gases. Additionally, B3DPS has also grouped its photopolymer materials under the new Ultracur3D brand name.

András Marton, Senior Business Development Manager at B3DPS, said, “Our Ultracur3D portfolio enables us to offer customers various UV-curable materials for 3D printing that provide far better mechanical properties and higher long-term stability than most available materials.

“These materials have been developed for functional components that are subject to high stress.”

The subsidiary also announced that it’s partnering with California company Origin and 3D printer manufacturer Photocentric to develop photopolymers and photopolymer 3D printing processes, and working with Chinese 3D printer manufacturer Xunshi Technology, which operates in the US under the name SprintRay, to open up new applications for the Ultracur3D range. Additionally, B3DPS subsidiary Innofil3D is partnering with Jet-Mate Technology in China and US-based M. Holland to distribute plastic filaments. Visit B3DPS at formnext this week at booth F20 in Hall 3.1.

DSM Announces 3D Printing Product Launches

Vent cover used for PIV windtunnel testing, printed in Somos PerFORM Reflect

In today’s final formnext news, science-based company DSM has unveiled two new high-performance materials for 3D printing structural parts. Somos PerFORM Reflect is a groundbreaking new stereolithography material for wind tunnel testing with PIV (Particle Imaging Velocimetry), and saves more than 30% post treatment cost by eliminating the need to apply PIV coatings to printed parts. In addition to helping customers conduct iterations and collect data more quickly, the resin could actually help break speed records for wind tunnel testing.

“Speed is crucial, whether in automotive, aerospace or other transportation design. Eliminating the need to apply PIV coatings is a major breakthrough for customers who are using PIV wind tunnel testing. It allows them to speed up their aerodynamic design optimizations. We are thrilled that our strategy of focusing on helping customers create their applications have enabled us to deliver such tremendous value. Overnight, Somos® PerFORM Reflect will not just set new speed records but new industry standards,” said Hugo da Silva, Vice President of Additive Manufacturing at DSM.

The company’s second new material is the thermoplastic copolyester (TPC) Arnitel ID2060 HT, which is perfect for the FDM 3D printing of structural parts for automotive applications. The material features a balance of prolonged high temperature resistance, flexibility, and chemical resistance against exhaust gas recirculation (EGR) condensate.

Imerys Ceramics Introduces EZ Print 3D Range of Ceramic Feedstocks

As part of the Imerys group, Imerys Ceramics designs, produces, and markets high-performance mineral solutions for the ceramic industries, and is making ceramic 3D printing easy with its new, unique range of ceramic materials called EZ Print 3D.

EZ Print 3D is available as a plug & play cartridge, so users can enjoy efficiency and ease of use when it comes to 3D printing. The materials are also available as a “ready to fill” ceramic feedstock, and have been tested on several 3D printers currently on the market. EZ Print 3D has a low firing temperature of 1220°C that’s compatible with most kiln temperature limits, and the genuine low porosity (<0,5%) of a porcelain. The technology is perfect for tableware and giftware applications, and the company plans to expand EZ Print 3D accordingly as 3D printing adoption grows. Imerys Ceramics also provides technical support and a dedicated team that’s competent in 3D printing to help customers.

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Natural Plant-Derived Resins Used to Make Antibacterial 3D Printing Filament

Hospital-acquired infections are a growing problem everywhere. The CDC calls them a “major, yet preventable threat to patient safety,” and the key to preventing them lies in keeping bacteria from spreading in a setting where bacteria is rampant. As 3D printing becomes more and more prevalent in the medical field, it is vital to make sure that 3D printed implants and tools do not play a role in spreading disease. Certain companies have been working on creating antibacterial 3D printing filament, and a group of researchers has conducted a study on bioactive filaments with antimicrobial and antifungal properties. You can access the paper, entitled Bioactive Potential of 3D-Printed Oleo-Gum-Resin Disks: B. papyrifera , C.myrrha , and S. benzoin Loading Nanooxides—TiO2 , P25, Cu2O, and MoO3, here.

The researchers point out that bacteria have managed to develop resistance to many antibiotics, but that there are many natural antibiotics to which resistance has not yet been developed. They extracted oleo-gum-resins from benzoin, myrrha, and olibanum plants and combined some of them with 10% of metal nano oxide particles. 3D printer filament was created from the resins and metals, then 3D printed into disks which were subject to a number of tests.

“Due to their intrinsic properties, disks containing resins in pure state mostly prevent surface-associated growth; meanwhile, disks loaded with 10% oxides prevent planktonic growth of microorganisms in the susceptibility assay,” the researchers explain. “The microscopy analysis showed that part of nanoparticles was encapsulated by the biopolymeric matrix of resins, in most cases remaining disorderly dispersed over the surface of resins. Thermal analysis shows that plant resins have peculiar characteristics, with a thermal behavior similar to commercial available semicrystalline polymers, although their structure consists of a mix of organic compoundsThe disks 3D printed from the natural materials, in most cases, inhibited the growth of the clinical pathogens being studied, and when nano oxide particles were added, the materials were even more effective.

Whats more these materials behaved just like some polymers do. The resins,

showed thermal behavior inherent to semicrystalline polymers such as polyester and polyurea; at some point, the molecules disposed in amorphous matrix obtain enough freedom of motion to spontaneously rearrange themselves into crystalline forms. This transition from amor-phous solid to crystalline solid was evidenced by distinct exothermic peaks, as the temperature increases to 500∘C samples, eventually reaching its melting point.

In short this is a promising study. Polymeric behavior from these Oleo-Gum-Resin may make it easy to process them just as many other 3D printing materials. Furthermore, as 3D printing is being increasingly used to create things such as surgical instruments, surgical guides and implants, special consideration should be given to the materials that are used to 3D print these tools. Of course, all surgical instruments and implants are made to be sterile before being used, but what if they could be made from materials that actively prevented infection? There’s a big difference between tools that are free of pathogens and those that actively repel pathogens. Surgeries could be made safer and recoveries quicker, without the complications and extended hospital stays that happen when infections are acquired. 3D printing surgical tools from these materials will not eliminate all hospital-acquired infections; there are a number of causes for these diseases that go beyond surgeries themselves and threaten anyone who has to stay in a hospital. But if the use of these materials could cut down even a little bit on surgical complications, that would be progress.

Authors of the paper include Diogo José Horst, Sergio Mazurek Tebcerhani, Evaldo Toniolo Kubaski, and Rogério de Almeida Vieira.

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Copper3D Introduces Antibacterial 3D Printing Filament for Medical Devices

Losing a limb is traumatic enough, but adjusting to a prosthetic device can be a brand new challenge in itself. Not only is the person getting used to working with an artificial limb, but those limbs can present complications. In fact, 40% of prosthetic device uses suffer from some kind of skin condition, as do non-amputee patients who use some sort of orthopedic device. This is due to the fact that these devices are typically quite difficult to clean, as they’re made from porous material and have complex geometries – especially 3D printed ones.

The conditions caused by these devices include dermatitis, folliculitis, or other fungal or bacterial infections. These aren’t just annoyances – if they progress to a serious state, they can cause permanent damage or even be fatal. The World Health Organization estimates that in the United States, nearly 100,000 people die from intrahospital infections every year, including skin infections.

Chilean startup Copper3D believes that it may have the solution to prosthetic- and orthopedic-caused skin problems. The answer: antibacterial 3D printing materials.

“We started prototyping a new polymer for 3D printing with an internationally patented additive containing copper nanoparticles among other elements, extremely effective in eliminating fungi, viruses and bacteria, but harmless to humans at the right concentrations,” said Daniel Martínez, Director of Innovation.

Copper3D was founded by Martínez, a physical therapist, along with civil engineer Andrés Acuña and Claudio Soto, MD. Preliminary trials in Chile were successful, so the company began the industrial manufacture of the material in the Netherlands for subsequent commercialization. Copper3D’s first product is already available: a high-quality PLA polymer with additive concentrations of 1, 2 and 3%. The product is called PLACTIVE, as it is active in the elimination of microorganisms.

“We already have developed a medical grade material called NANOCLEAN, which is made with a high quality PETG polymer with additive concentrations of 2 and 3% and aimed at more specific purposes in the world of medical devices,” said Martínez.

The 3D printing materials and the items printed with them have been studied and validated as antibacterial by the Microbiology Laboratory at the Universidad Católica de Valparaíso, and PLACTIVE is already being used in the United States – by Jorge M. Zuniga PhD, a 3D printing expert and researcher in the Department of Biomechanics at the University of Nebraska Omaha. Dr. Zuniga is conducting a study on partial finger prostheses for war veterans. In addition, microbiological tests are being performed with an independent US laboratory to confirm the antibacterial properties of PLACTIVE.

[Image provided by Dr. Jorge Zuniga]

As more and more prosthetics, orthopedics and other medical devices are being 3D printed, a material like PLACTIVE could go a long way in making these devices safer.

“I believe that this new technology represents a before and after in the 3D printing industry for biomedical purposes,” said Dr. Zuniga. “PLACTIVE solves one of the major problems of the 3D printing industry, the bacterial burden housed in these materials and devices. This new 3D printing filament could be the beginning of a whole new family of customized items with antibacterial properties, a huge breakthrough for developers, manufacturers, physicians and patients.”

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