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T3D Announces New LCD-Based High-Speed 3D Printing System

Taiwan 3D Tech, also known as T3D, is a startup spin-off from the National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (NTUST). Headquartered in Taipei, the company was officially founded in 2017 by Jeng Ywan-Jeng, a Distinguished Professor of Mechanical Engineering and Director of the High Speed 3D Printing Research Center at the university, as well as the Founder of the 3D Printing Association in Taiwan.

Jeng had been working on a 3D printing system since 2012, and finally showed off his smartphone-based 3D printer to the world at Inside 3D Printing Shanghai 2015, launching a Kickstarter campaign for the small SLA system two years later. He told 3DPrint.com at formnext 2017 that T3D’s unique printer, which he had once referred to as “a cyber physic system (CPS) machine,” can cure a 100 micron layer in 15 seconds.

“The idea is to use only a smartphone, no PC; we use this light for its energy to do something. We have already proved it can be done,” Jeng told us at the event in Frankfurt.

The 3D printer uses light from the smartphone to cure specialty resin from a vat sitting on top of the phone to the print bed above, a concept we’ve seen before in the OLO smartphone-powered 3D printer. Both 3D printing systems had successful Kickstarter campaigns, but the difference between the two is that while there has been no news on the OLO, now the ONO, for roughly two years, T3D is actively getting its product to customers, while also continuing to innovate.

“T3D is the first mobile 3D printer in Taiwan,” the company states. “No complicated operation and no restrictions. Just print your lifestyle. We are a team of hardware, software, and chemical engineers aiming to disrupt the traditional 3D printing industry.”

Recently, the T3D team announced its newest product, the T3D LCD High-Speed 3D Printer, which will officially be launched at the Taiwan Innotech Expo event in Taipei this September.

According to T3D, its new High-Speed 3D Printer is able to speed up the 3D printing process by achieving fast print speeds of 10 cm per hour. In addition, thanks to the startup’s multiple colors of visible light curing photosensitive resin and “special fep film,” as a press release states, the system can also print continuously.

Just like with the original T3D smartphone-powered system, the T3D High-Speed 3D Printer also comes with an app that appears to make the process quick and easy. Users can search the Cloud Gallery for a variety of public models, and with one click can select their desired print. The T3D app works with many kinds of mobile phones, so you shouldn’t need to worry about corrupting any files, and you can also select your print settings in the app as well.

T3D, which aims to make 3D printing easier for consumers, states that the High-Speed 3D printer features “high productivity and accuracy,” which is definitely in line with this mission. Other competitive advantages the new T3D High-Speed 3D Printer features include 47 um precision and advanced software to ensure an easier workflow.

(Images courtesy of T3D)

The post T3D Announces New LCD-Based High-Speed 3D Printing System appeared first on 3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing.

Nova3D Elfin: An Affordable MSLA 3D Printer that can Print Right Out of the Box

Five years ago a quality SLA resin printer could cost thousands dollars, but today, as the technology has gotten better and more mature, you can easily find one for less than $500.

Now with the help of MSLA technology-mask stereolithography, Nova3d launches its version for just $359. It’s an affordable desktop MSLA 3D printer and yet still delivers great results.

You may have lots of choice on resin 3D printers but Nova3d is among the easiest to use. Straight out of the box, Elfin is ready to use. It’s pre-leveled in the factory and requires no re-calibration upon first use. Just pour the resin, load the sliced file and press print, no parts to be put together; that makes it super easy for beginners.

The Elfin resin printer features a decent size build volume of 130*70*150mm. It can print with a layer resolution of 0.025mm. It weights 7.3kg (16 pounds approximately).

The machine itself is sturdy, featuring a top-fastened Z-axis rod to make the Z-axis extra stable and eliminate any vibrations and make it get a smoother surface on its print. The Elfin is also equipped with 2K resolution LCD screen (1440 x 2560 pixels) offering XY-axis precision of 0.05 mm. Its max printing speed is up to 50mm/hour, although accuracy is best at slightly slower speeds. With a capacitive touch screen, it’s easy to navigate the menu and operate the printer.

While there are other resin printers on the market, the Nova3d Elfin differentiates itself with a WiFi feature, so you can load your sliced file from your computer directly to the printer, see the printing process as it unfolds and control it wirelessly. You can also sync one computer to several Elfin 3D printers. And, there’s also an ethernet port for Elfin so you can also hard-wire the Elfin printer to your computer.

For further ease and range of use, you can also plug a USB stick into the Elfin and select the file you’d like to print. With an internal 8G memory, popping the stick out during the printing won’t stop the printing, so you don’t have to leave the USB stick there while it prints, unlike with many other printers.

The Elfin’s slicer features auto-layout, adding support manually, magnifying and making the model smaller and you also can modify the UV exposure settings in the slicer. When slicing, it’s quick to do so and very easy to use.

Maintenance is easy enough with the Elfin, including items such as changing consumables, 2K screen replacement, and FEP. Elfin’s FEP is bonded with a plastic frame; compared with a printer that uses a metal frame, the Elfin’s FEP tightening is easier. For the 2K screen, removing the metal panel then disconnecting the cable to the main board is easy and intuitive.

Best of all, during Nov.16th to Nov.25th it’s priced at just $299 with the code NOVA3DELFIN on Nova3d US Amazon store.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07WGRN7ML/ref=cm_sw_em_r_mt_dp_U_VOq1DbG4NG0RK

Learn more about the Nova3D Elfin MSLA 3D printer.

Watch the Elfin in action on video!

View the Elfin printer structure.

The post Nova3D Elfin: An Affordable MSLA 3D Printer that can Print Right Out of the Box appeared first on 3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing.

Prusa Publishes Hardware and Firmware Updates for 3D Printers, Ships over 130,000 Printers

Josef Prusa

It’s time for another one of Prusa‘s popular updates on its various hardware and firmware! The company makes sure its customers always know about the latest new products and improvements to its many products. The winter 2019 update is, in founder Josef Prusa’s words, “a pretty massive one,” as the company has continued to grow and reached a milestone 100,000 3D printers shipped.

“We are actually working on a short documentary how we got (literally) from a basement to this level, I am beyond excited to show you parts of the story you never saw and I’m pretty sure you will love it, too,” Prusa wrote.

Prusa conducted a product survey, and the results helped the company shape the updates for its Original Prusa MK3S and MMU2 printers. One helpful piece of constructive criticism the survey provided was that the filament sensor on the MK3S didn’t work well with some filaments, so it now features a reworked extruder with a new sensor.

“The new sensor is using the optical sensor which is triggered by a simple mechanical lever,” Prusa explained. “This sensor doesn’t care about the optical properties of the filament (it can be completely invisible) and cannot die because of mechanical wear.”

The mechanism of the re-worked filament sensor (part is black on production printers, orange is for demonstration)

Users also wanted easier servicing of the extruder assembly, so now the extruder motor and nozzle are closer to the X-axis for better prints, and you no longer have to take it apart to change the PTFE or nozzle. Additionally, the cumulative updates from the MK3’s whole life cycle are included.

The new MK3S is available from the Prusa e-shop for $749 – the same price as the MK3. You can also purchase an upgrade kit for the MK3 to the MK3S, and for the MK2.5 to the MK2.5S. The company is no longer accepting orders for the Original Prusa i3 MK2S kit and assembled printer, but does have all replacements in stock for long-term support.

The MK3 and MK3S also have new print profiles, which users can get through the Slic3r PE 1.41.3 or newer, found in Prusa’s updated drivers. There’s now a 70μm profile – perfect for printing miniatures – and both the 150μm Optimal and 200μm profiles were split into Quality and Speed versions.

“While the MK3 results in the survey were literally amazing, customer’s feedback to MMU2 wasn’t what we imagined. Although many of you print with five filaments without any hassle, there are users facing several issues with multi-material printing – usually related to reloading the filament and secondly from the filament getting tangled as the MMU2 is unloading filament from the five spools,” Prusa wrote.

“Before I even start about MMU2S, I have to tell you, that every current owner of MMU2 will be getting the upgrade to the MMU2S (self-printed parts for the extruder upgrade) for free no matter where in the world you are.”

While Prusa was redesigning the extruder for the MK3S, the company wanted to also solve the MMU2 reloading problems. So with the new mod, the filament sensor actually detects when the filament pushes Bondtech gears apart and the idler doors open a little. Prusa spent two months testing the MMU2S, printing nearly 480 test blocks to test the frequent switching of five filaments, and over 93% were completed successfully.

Prusa printed two types of blocks – one took 19 hours to print (607 filament changes), the other 70 hours (3,520 filament changes)

“To summarize everything, with MMU2S you will get the new MK3S/MK2.5S extruder parts (with new filament sensor) and the new filament buffer,” Prusa wrote.

Prusa also released new firmware builds with support for MK3 / MK2.5( 3.5.2) and MK3S / MK2.5S (3.5.3), including a new way to control the power of the heatbed so the PSU clicking noise is decreased.

The company has shipped over 10,000 textured sheets, which are notoriously hard to manufacture. So Prusa built its own testing lab to inspect the entire process, and after making some improvements, the sheets are now specially treated to prevent rust even in extreme humidity.

Internal and external beta testing of the company’s Original Prusa SL1 resin 3D printer provided great results, and the system was officially released in September. After fixing some hardware issues, Prusa turned its focus to improving the calibration process, user experience, and automatic supports in Slic3r PE. Additionally, over 100 types of resin have their own profiles in Slic3r PE, and as it’s an open source printer, people can “use pretty much any 405nm resin.”

Speaking of Slic3r PE, the team continues to grow, and Prusa has a goal of developing the best slicer for every 3D printer, and not just its Original Prusas. So far, the company is doing pretty well, as Slic3r PE is free, receives regular new features and bug fixes, and is improved based on user feedback.

Finally, in terms of Prusament, the company continues to work on increasing its production capacity for the popular filament, and Prusa explained that “our goal is to achieve a non-stop production with fully robotic operators.”

3D Printing News Briefs: July 2nd, 2019

We’re talking partnerships and materials in today’s 3D Printing News Briefs. The Alfa Romeo F1 team and Additive Industries are strengthening their technology partnership, while Beam-IT and SLM Solutions are expanding their own cooperation. Metallum3D just opened a new beta testing program for its stainless steel filament, while Zortrax and CRP Technology are both introducing new materials.

Alfa Romeo F1 Team and Additive Industries Strengthen Partnership

At the recent Rapid.Tech-Fabcon industrial 3D printing conference in Germany, Additive Industries announced that its current technology partnership with the F1 team of Alfa Romeo Racing would be growing stronger. The Sauber Engineering company, on behalf of Alfa Romeo Racing, has ordered an additional: 4-laser, multi-module MetalFAB1 Productivity System, bringing the total up to four systems and making it Additive Industries’ largest customer with a high-productivity metal 3D printing capacity.

“Our installed base is growing fast, not only with new customers in our core markets like aerospace and the automotive industry but also through existing customers like Sauber Engineering, who are advancing to become one of the leading companies in industrial 3D printing in Europe, ramping up production,” stated Daan Kersten, the CEO of Additive Industries. “Although most users of metal additive manufacturing are still applying prototyping systems, we see an increasing number of companies concluding they need dedicated systems for series production. Our modular MetalFAB1 family is the only proven system on the market today designed for this use. We are grateful and proud to be technology partner to Sauber Engineering and the F1 team of Alfa Romeo Racing.”

Beam-IT and SLM Solutions Sign Expanded Agreement

M.Sc.Eng. Martina Riccio, AM Process Leader of Beam-IT and technical team

Italian 3D printing service bureau Beam-IT and metal 3D printing provider SLM Solutions have signed an agreement, which will expand their current long-term cooperation. Together in a joint venture project, the two will work to develop more material parameters – focusing on certain material properties – for the nickel-based alloys IN939 and IN718; this process will help create a less lengthy timeframe in terms of parameter testing. Additionally, Beam-IT has added two new SLM 3D printers to its product portfolio: an SLM 280 and an SLM 500.

“We are pleased to announce our cooperation agreement with SLM Solutions and the two additional machines,” said Michele Antolotti, the General Manager of Beam-IT. “We regularly produce high-quality parts for our customers using selective laser melting because the SLM ® technology works efficiently, quickly and, above all, safely. With the expanded capacity of our new multi-laser systems we can also increase our productivity and react to the increased interest in SLM ® technology from our customers.”

Metallum3D Opens Stainless Steel Filament Beta Testing Program

Virginia-based company Metallum3D announced that it has opened a beta test program for its stainless steel 316L 3D printing filament. This new program will support the company in its development of an affordable and accessible on-demand metal 3D platform for FFF 3D printers. The Filament Beta Test Program is open until July 31st, 2019, and a limited run of 150 0.5 kg spools of Metallum3D’s stainless steel 316L filament will be offered for a discounted price on a first come, first serve basis.

Nelson Zambrana, the CEO of Metallum3D, said, “Our 1.75mm Stainless Steel 316L filament material has a metal content of 91.7% by weight or 61.5% by volume, while maintaining enough flexibility for a minimum bend diameter of 95 mm (3.75 in.). The combination of high metal loading and filament flexibility was a tough material development challenge that took us over a year to solve.”

Zortrax Introducing Biocompatible Resins for Inkspire 3D Printer

Last year, Polish 3D printing solutions provider Zortrax developed the Inkspire, its first resin 3D printer. The Inkspire uses UV LCD technology to create small and precise models for the architecture, jewelry, and medical industries. With this in mind, the company is now introducing its specialized biocompatible resins that have been optimized for the Inkspire to make end use models in dentistry and prosthetics.

The new class IIa biocompatible Raydent Crown & Bridge resin is used for 3D printing temporary crowns and bridges, and is available in in an A2 shade (beige), with high abrasion resistance for permanent smooth surfaces. Class I biocompatible Raydent Surgical Guide resin for precise prosthetic surgical guides is safe for transient contact with human tissue, and offers translucency and high dimensional accuracy. With these new materials, the Zortrax Inkspire can now be used by prosthetic laboratories for prototyping and final intraoral product fabrication.

CRP Technology Welcomes New Flame Retardant Material

Functional air conditioning piping made with LS technology and Windform FR1

In April, Italy-based CRP Technology introduced its Windform P-LINE material for for high-speed, production-grade 3D printing. Now, it’s officially welcoming another new material to its polyamide composite family – Windform FR1, the first carbon-filled flame-retardant laser sintering material to be rated V-0. The material is from the Windform TOP-LINE family, and passed the FAR 25.853 12-second vertical, the 15-second horizontal flammability tests, and the 45° Bunsen burner test. The lightweight, halogen-free material combines excellent stiffness with superior mechanical properties, and is a great choice for applications in aerospace, automotive, consumer goods, and electronics.

“Only a few days from the launch of a new range of Windform® materials, the P-LINE for HSS technology, I’m very proud to launch a new revolutionary composite material from the Windform® TOP-LINE family of materials for Laser Sintering technology,” said Franco Cevolini, VP and CTO at CRP Technology. “Our aim is to constantly produce technological breakthroughs. With Windform® FR1 we can steer you toward the proper solution for your projects.

“We will not stop here, we will continue our work on renewal and technological expansion in the field of Additive Manufacturing. Stay tuned!”

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