stereolightography Archives - Perfect 3D Printing Filament

Large Build Volume, High Quality, Fast and Cost Effective, The G3D T-1000

T-1000 DLP 3D Printer by G3D

The T1000, manufactured by G3D, has disrupted the desktop SLA 3D print industry. The unit has the largest build volume with the fastest build speed in its price category and represents the most cost-effective solution for newcomers to skilled engineers for complicated prototypes.

G3D announces lifetime warranty and upgrades to new products for universities, colleges and other educational institutes as well as prototype manufacturers. For details contact www.g3dsys.com.

Dubbed the T-1000, the DLP SLA product of G3D is designed to have the cost-effectiveness and large build volume of FDM machines while also having the quality and high-tech appearance of SLA machines. For their Black Friday promotion, G3D is offering the printer for only $1,500! This offer is available for November 29 – December 10 2019 only!

Batch of rook models printed on the T-1000 (56 models)

Dreamcatcher printed in the T-1000 using clear resin

The T-1000, having a maximum build volume of 7.06 in x 5.29 in x 11.81 in allows users to print models with large print volumes like a leg prosthetic model or an almost 12 in replica of the Eiffel tower:

Prosthetic leg model printed in the T-1000

Almost 12-in replica of the Eiffel Tower printed on the T-1000

To cater to the varying demand of users of 3D printer machines, the T-1000 was also designed to have a small volume print configuration where the user can increase the quality of the prints up to 100 μm x-y resolution and 7.5 μm layer height for finer and more detailed prints.

Small gears printed on the T-1000 using Black Matte resin

To change the printer settings from large build volume to small build volume the user would only need to turn a knob on the T-1000 to change the configuration, recalibrate the printer for this new setting and update the slicer settings in the software. G3D designed the T-1000 to be this easy with no need for replacing or upgrading parts.

With this quality and size, the T-1000 also doesn’t miss on the speed. The T-1000, with the backbone of Digital Light Processing technology where the cross-section of the model is cured all at the same time, can achieve maximum speeds of up to 2.6 in/hr. This means you can print a max build on the printer (11.8 in) in only 4.6 hours. Compared to laser SLA technologies and FDM which traces the cross section of the object being printed, DLP, because it cures the whole cross section at the same time, allows the user to print for the same length both 1 model or multiple models on the build plate. G3D endorses that this capability will allow users to 3D print multiple models per batch without worrying about increasing the printing time.

Digital Light Processing (DLP) of the T-1000 in action

For prototyping activities this speed reduces the turnaround time to produce prototypes allowing engineers and designers to rapidly verify their designs and models speeding up their rapid prototyping process.

With this affordable price, especially with the Black Friday promotion, schools would also be able to affordably purchase and use the T-1000 allowing them to experience a fast, reliable and high-volume 3D printer, the next generation of 3D printers in their own classrooms.

Ease of use was also put in mind with the patented 4-point Bed Calibration System. Coupled with the tilting mechanism for easier peeling of the model from the FEP film, the T-1000 can produce prints unsupervised.

Another factor that increases the cost-effectiveness of the T-1000 is the consumables which are only the resin and vat, this would only cost the user around $75/L (standard resin) and T-1000 vat ($45, 30L life).

Comparing to a known SLA 3D printing machine manufacturer using G-Boy (a G3D standard model) with a volume of 13.8 ml, printing using their clear resin would cost the user around $2.06/model ($149/L) while printing using G3D clear resin would only cost around $1.04/model ($75/L).

G3D G-Boy model computer file (left), 3D printed using T1000 (right)

For heavy users consuming 5L/week, this translates to more savings. For the competitor’s resin this would cost the user around 5L times $149/L ($745) plus $59/2L times 5L ($147.5) for resin tank (standard) replacement every 2L for a total of $892.5/week or $46,410/year. Using G3D T-1000 this will only cost the user 5L times $75/L ($375) plus $45/30L times 5L ($7.5) for G3D vat replacement every 30L for a total of $382.5/week or $19,890/year. Using G3D T-1000 for high volume prints will save you $26,520/year! Allowing you to purchase a lot more 3D printers and scale your capabilities.

Operating cost comparison for G3D and SLA Competitor

But wait there’s more! For heavy volume users, G3D promises to replace the vat for FREE when ordering for more resins if there are signs of wear and tear before using more than 10L!

G3D have also invested in producing quality resins to make sure customers would be satisfied in the G3D platform. Currently, the company has the following resins:

Resins produced by G3D (same color labels are matte and non-matte options)

Each of the standard and colored resins only cost around $75/L and available in colored and matte colored options.

G3D resins also include functional resins for functional 3D printing. The company has Tough resin ($85/L) designed to withstand 6000 psi of pressure (equivalent to 6000 pounds of force per square inch) for functional parts and prototyping. Flexible resin ($109/L) for soft parts and flexible parts. And Heat resistant ($105/L) resin that can withstand 500 degrees Fahrenheit temperature for high temperature resistant parts and models.

Functional resins by G3D (from top-left clockwise) Flexible resin gray, Heat Resistant resin, Flexible resin white, and Tough resin

G3D also doesn’t limit the user on the resins that you can use on their printer. The printer was designed to have no custom fit container, no complex loading mechanisms, so the user can pour and use any resin he likes, just make sure that the resin is designed for 405nm DLP 3D printing as the light engine of the T-1000 emits curing UV at 450 nm wavelength. This simple design also prevents clogging and other 3D printer problems from the resin.

G3D T-1000 in the showroom

You can see more sample prints by G3D through following their Instagram page.

The post Large Build Volume, High Quality, Fast and Cost Effective, The G3D T-1000 appeared first on 3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing.

Interview with Martin Forth of RAPLAS on Open Materials Manufacturing With 3D Printing

Martin Forth of RAPLAS wants to bring 3D printing to manufacturing. This is quite a popular narrative at the moment. But, far from the smoke and mirrors of startup land, there are real reasons to believe Martin’s effort over hordes of industry newbies; Martin’s experience, for one. Martin spent two years building RAPLAS and before that spent thirteen years at EnvisionTEC. This already means that he has significantly more experience than 95% of our industry. Only, before EnvisionTEC, Martin spent six years at 3D Systems, joining the 3D printing industry in 1996. 1996. Independence Day, Trainspotting, Braveheart, No Diggity, Unbreak my Heart, Clinton, 1996. Thanks to AMUG, we now consider veterans of 3D printing Dinosaurs, but Martin is practically a fern. He’s seen it all and tried to implement rapid prototyping, free form fabrication, rapid manufacturing and what not previously. So when he gets together a super experienced firm to bring production 3D printing technologies to manufacturing with a focus on resins, sand, and metal, all with open materials, we take notice.

What is Raplas?

Raplas was set up in 2014 and develops technical solutions for industrial manufacturing and high-quality prototype development. Currently, we have released systems for the production of plastic parts and for casting applications and have shown early samples from our metal printing technology. We are focusing on high-end manufacturing applications hence the size and performance of our equipment.

How did you evolve as a firm?

Raplas grew from the experiences of the board within the additive industries, who have all worked within the additive industries since the mid 1990’s, we felt that current technology was not addressing the needs of production manufacturing entirely , either through cost of equipment or materials, repeatability for large batch production, accuracy, surface finish or speed. So we set about designing and marketing technology that could satisfy these requirements. All of the board, management and staff of the company have come with many years of valuable experiences of using, designing and marketing this type of technology as well as the knowledge of operations in associated industries.

What kind of machines do you make?

We make machines and materials for all additive applications all are large frame to suit the professional production markets and fully open allowing the users the widest choice of materials at competitive prices.

Why large scale SLA?

We always felt that SL has always been the gold standard when the combined attributes were added together, but had a long way to go to realise its true possibility. Our understanding of capabilities and requirements showed there was a strong need in the market for a machine that moved the technology on to another level- this was what we brought to our first beta customers with our generation one machines. When we introduced our gen2 machines we really moved forward by another considerable step in productivity and capabilities . Our Gen 2 Systems are very fast compared to other competing technologies, that is consistently physically accurate to within 50 micron over the entire build area, so it makes sense to utilise a large build area for production purposes. For instance we have a client that produces over 1000 electrical components in one build which lasts approx. 4 to 5 hours so they can produce 4000 components per day. The total annual production is 15,000 sets with 6 components per set… so the annual requirement is 90,000 parts in total. All of these parts can be printed in less than a week and have no need for 6 injection mould tools.

What do your customers use the systems for?

Manufacturing end use parts as well as prototypes and short test batches.

What industries use your systems?

All applications from Automotive to Audiology, Dental, Medical, NPD, through to tooling and casting.

Why should I work with you?

We feel the merits of our technology and experience of our customers is a compelling reason for potential customers to work with us. We always put the customer’s needs first and are prepared to tailor our solutions to particular clients needs if required. We recognise that a one size fits all approach doesn’t work in a production environment as clients have existing processes that we have to work alongside with. This may mean matching various speeds or material properties to fall in line with current expectations through optimisation of the system through to developing new materials specific for that client.

What kinds of materials do you offer?

We have a general purpose ABS resin in white, gray and crystal clear , class IIb medical grade resin and castable resins that have a low HDT and low ash. For mold manufacture we offer Sand and Ceramic options as well as polymer solutions for direct mold manufacturing. With our forthcoming metal solution, there will be a number of technical materials and it will initially be offered with stainless and aluminium.

What exciting new applications are you seeing emerge?

We’re seeing strong demand for extra mechanical properties and we are working with a number of different players to deliver unique solutions to customer needs. As we see Electronic devices getting smaller more precise components are required; this is pushing the boundaries of injection moulding.

3D printing has the ability to disrupt traditional manufacturing process as a solution and not just because of low volume requirements, but because of our ability to produce small technical features which are easy to produce in AM, but in the conventional manufacturing world this can be unjustifiable or economically impossible for the moulding market.

So as electronic packaging becomes more of a technical issue we will see more firms endorse 3D printing as manufacturing solution.

What is holding back 3D printing?

Poor understanding of the value of the technology to customers and the constant attempts to shoehorn the wrong technology to customers by some manufacturers. Another thing is the cost of materials. Often the process is disregarded as production solution because of high component costs , now the 3D Printers are becoming faster the largest cost element of the component is now the material.

What advice would you give a company interested in using 3D printing for manufacturing?

“Listen to your customers and suppliers more and deliver what they want not necessarily what you think he wants…”

The post Interview with Martin Forth of RAPLAS on Open Materials Manufacturing With 3D Printing appeared first on 3DPrint.com | The Voice of 3D Printing / Additive Manufacturing.

Longer Orange 30 Affordable Resin LCD 3D Printer is Live on Kickstarter

Longer Orange 30 LCD Resin 3D printers are now available on Kickstarter. Super early birds can pledge for the printer at $199, while early birds can pledge for the printer at 50% off retail price.

Longer3d, based in Shenzhen, China, is a company specializing in additive manufacturing. Its product portfolio includes hobbyist desktop FDM (fused deposition modeling) printers and industrial metal machines for professional standards. Owning a factory gives Longer3d’s R&D staff the opportunity to repeatedly test the performance of its machines. To achieve mass production requires not only supply chain support for a product design, but also experienced factory operations to reduce non-performance rates through quality control processes.

As a new SLA resin 3D printer, the Orange 30 is an affordable proposition for professionals working in high-detail industries such as jewelry, dentistry, architecture, industrial design, model making and art.

Orange 30 uses LCD-based UV shielding technology; uniform UV LED array light source and special optical path design can achieve high contrast and uniform distribution of surface light source, avoiding debris during printing. This ensures that the print details are smooth.

Smart support is another feature of this printer. It can automatically detect the suspended parts with one button and automatically add cross-linked grid support to improve the success rate of complex model printing, which avoids the loss of support at critical times. Moreover, Longer provides professional-grade slicing software.

In terms of design, the Orange 30 features a sturdy, all-metal and one-piece design with a UV-resistant orange cover for high visibility. It offers a fairly large 120 x 68 x 170 mm build volume, which is larger than the equivalent on the market. And the 2.8-inch full-color touch screen provides users with instant feedback, making it easy to select files for printing and view the process.

The Orange 30 brings a other enhancements to the printing experience such as high temperature warning: Real-time detection of LED operating temperature during printing enables the printer to automatically pause or stop when temperature is abnormal, and automatically resume printing when the temperature normalizes.

Orange 30 offers a 2K LCD screen of 2560*1440, 47.25μm, and it offers superior detail compared to many other FDM printers.

Longer’s new line of resins complements its affordable 3D printer, with up to 6 colors of resin to choose from, making it easy to print a wide range of applications.

If you want to take advantage of the super early bird deal visit Kickstarter to learn more about the affordable and capable Orange 30.

Interview With Steve Moran of Stereolithography Company RPS Limited

When I first heard from an F1 team that they were using an SLA machine made in the UK I was a bit confused. What was this mysterious RPS company? What did they do? How were they able to make and deliver specialized resins? Tucked away in Buckinghamshire in a 53,000 person town with a Roald Dahl kids museum, RPS Limited manufactures SLA systems that are widely used in many niche manufacturing applications. For over a decade the firm has serviced machines and now makes it’s own as well, the NEO while the firm also resells HP MFJ systems and others. RPS is a hybrid of a company that is an OEM, reseller and service company in one. They’re also real SLA nerds and are magicians in creating specialized 3D printing applications for manufacturing using photopolymers and powders. They’re a highly experienced team that routinely solves some very exciting materials and manufacturing challenges for the most demanding of customers. We interviewed RPS’ Steve Moran to find out more.

What is RPS?

We are an industrial 3D printing specialist, based in Aylesbury, UK. The company was founded in 2008 initially servicing and supporting customers who owned existing 3D printing systems. The company has since developed its own industrial 3D printing equipment (NEO800) and grown to become a leader in industrial 3D printing technology and service support. RPS also resell other well-known industrial 3D printing brands providing materials, hardware and software.

How did you get started in 3D printing?

In 1994 the industry was known as Rapid Prototyping. I was employee number five at 3D Systems in the UK where I was a Customer Support Engineer. After five years at 3D Systems, I decided to offer customers an alternative source of support, upgrades to their SLA machines and alternative materials.

Why should people work with you?

3D printing is a technology that is driving change in manufacturing and design across a range of industries. RPS has a huge resource of skilled people with 150+ years of 3D printing knowledge between them. We are making an impact in our customers’ businesses and fast becoming a market global leader in industrial 3D printing.

The team at RPS are offered opportunities to develop their role and are given the autonomy to make a difference within the company. This again has a benefit for end users, as employees are highly motivated and enjoy their chosen role. We offer fantastic work packages, benefits, training and the ability to have a flexible working pattern when necessary, to suit modern family life.

What is the 3D printing market like in the UK?

I see the three main segments driving the UK market as being F1, Automotive and Bureaux with manufacturers also looking to adopt and add capability in house.

CNC companies and Jigs and Fixture manufacturers are starting to adopt 3D printing as they are now understanding the benefits of additive vs subtractive manufacturing, which are cost, time and weight savings. Companies are also able to develop detailed parts that you can’t manufacture traditionally, and also able to get their products to market faster.

This has been driven by the new and innovative materials (both resin and powder), that are now available which helps customers look at changing to 3D printing and adapt to an additive manufacturing method. Customers can also choose from a range of 3D printing technologies that now build parts with greater accuracy with the desired mechanical properties to suit their application than in the past.

Which segments are growing?

We are seeing more companies wanting speciality material to be used for specific applications. An F1 customer approached us to help them create a new, black glass filled material. Working with ALM (Advanced Laser Materials, a subsidiary of EOS), we helped customise and formulate a laser sintering powder to achieve the mechanical properties and colour required.

Although the range of 3D printing material options is growing, they still do not have the optimal properties to produce complete end-use parts, in particular with stereolithography.

What new 3D printing materials do you see making an impact?

We are excited about the manufacture of new photopolymers/resins that will be available in the market in the future. At the moment the lack of materials available with the mechanical properties needed for end-use part development is holding 3D printing back. The potential of new materials in the market can only happen with hardware to assist in this development, which is why we developed the NEO800 with an open resin platform. We have also recently developed the NEO Resin Development Kit to help customers with the development of these new photopolymers.

Everyone loves the accuracy and surface finish of stereolithography but the mechanical properties have always been lacking. This is starting to change with more investment by new suppliers in this market. It will be great to see end use parts in automotive with textures and finishes straight out of the equipment with little or no finishing.

The NEO resin development kit gives customers the platforms, calculation tools and software to help customers develop material easily. We have already been approached by material development companies wanting to use the NEO800 as a tool to develop their materials and have exciting ideas, so I am confident this this step-change in new materials with end-use mechanical properties will happen soon.

What advice would you give me if I were a company new to 3D printing?

3D printing offers a range of cost and time-saving benefits compared to traditional manufacturing. At RPS we provide advice and talk through what the customer is doing today. By looking at all their processes to manufacture products, we can advise where technologies fit, with which tasks etc. Only then can customers make informed decisions about how 3D Printing would work with their application. For example, would ceramic moulds via SL help to get an injection moulded product through the initial testing in real materials prior to tooling being made and commissioned? If so, look at stereolithography 3D printing technology. Or if you were looking at a small run of final production parts, possibly looking at HP’s Multi-Jet Fusion technology as it prints end-use parts with strong mechanical properties. You need to know what application you want to print and the technology you want to print from. Analyse the output of each technology and seek independent advice to weigh up the pros and cons of each.

What is currently exciting in SLS materials?

RPS provides a great range of ALM SLS materials that can suit applications ranging from automotive to footwear. For example, ALM’s HT-23 is a high heat deflection powder that can maintain mechanical properties up to 270 °C perfect for F1. Or there is the ALM FR-106 aerospace grade fire retardant Nylon 11, that exhibits superior mechanical properties and can withstand intense functional testing. In particular, the ALM 640-GSL gives customers a black glass filled material that is unlike any in the market. The glass spheres are lightweight and produce stiff parts, making the material perfect for F1, automotive and lightweight applications like drones.

When do I need a custom material?

Nearly every 3D printing application requires a custom material to meet the mechanical properties required. Every existing material out there is a comprise at the moment so the opportunity to formulate specific material (laser sintering) required through RPS and ALM is a great way to achieve this. In regards to SLA, we knew what customers wanted when servicing and supporting their hardware. One of these features was an open-platform to give customers this freedom of material selection. This is why we developed and manufactured our NEO800 with an open-resin platform, which gives customers an opportunity to develop their own materials.

Where are your customers using the HP machines?

Bureaus, end use part manufacturers, automotive and tooling manufacturers are just some of the industries that our customers belong to that use the HP Multi-Jet Fusion technology. It is a great, easy-to-use system to run small, end use parts which we actually utilise at RPS in house. Using the HP Multi-Jet Fusion we print the air-filter assembly used on our NEO800 system. This allows us to print a small run of parts when needed, saving time and costs. We also have a partnership with Oxford Brookes Racing. With the help of RPS, OBR18 built an engine intake plenum in Nylon 12 using HP’s Multi-Jet Fusion technology. 3D printing the plenum on HP’s MJF saved OBR over 50% in weight savings compared to the OBR18 car where they used aluminide. This is a great example of how the HP’s Multi-Jet Fusion 4200 is perfect for producing detailed, end use parts faster and at a lower cost than traditional manufacturing.

How has the development of photopolymers improved over the years?

Twenty years ago if you dropped an SLA part it would shatter. The first generation of polymers produced amber, brittle and inaccurate parts. The next generation has seen more durable and accurate parts due to epoxy chemistry. I can envision the next generation of photopolymers to mimic end-use parts. This is why we chose to manufacture an open-source stereolithography system to enable users to develop materials to achieve this.

How did you come to design and sell your own machine?

When we started RPS, the team focused on servicing and supporting customers with SLA and SLS hardware. During our time supporting customers we were listening to their needs and understood the limitations of some of the hardware that was available at that time. We felt that this was a great opportunity to use our engineering skills to develop stereolithography hardware that could produce outstanding parts, but in a system that was more user friendly.

What is different about it?

What makes the NEO800 different to many stereolithography systems is that it’s an open resin system which means it can utilise any 355 nm SL material. Companies are approaching us wanting to use the NEO800 for material development which is great news for the future of photopolymers in the industry. With our support background understanding of what customers wanted, we knew we had to develop software that was user friendly and adaptable to the needs of the customer, so we developed the NEO800 Titanium software. The NEO800 has a built-in camera to monitor builds, which can be adjusted during the print without a pause to see changes in the next layer. Mid-build, recoating build styles and part build styles can be changed, or parts and supports can be deleted. We always encourage customer feedback and try to incorporate any ideas that may be useful for our customer in our software updates. Example: The system is now able to export reports, detailing monthly builds, machines utilisation, resin consumption etc, which is really important to our end users. Because our software is written in-house we are able and willing to add these type of features and respond to our customers needs.

I’ve heard that it is used a lot in Formula 1?

Yes. Formula 1 requires accurate and smooth parts for wind-tunnel testing and prototyping that they achieve with the NEO800. They find the sidewall quality of the parts produced on the NEO a benefit as it reduces the post processing time by up to 50% and with the 800x800x600mm platform, it offers the size that they require.

Is it meant for production?

The NEO800 is mainly used for applications such as prototyping and model making, however the next generation of material development will change this. With new and innovative materials, users will have the capability to build end-use parts for production using stereolithography. When this material is available, it will open more doors and opportunities in manufacturing that can only be achieved with 3D printing.