-Stereolithography, the modern technology behind many resin 3D prints, is typically described as 'the mommy of all 3D printing modern technologies' and is thought about one of the most extensively utilized methods for generating top notch 3D prints. Right here at Materialise, we have actually been making use of Stereolithography given that 1990. Time to talk a bit a lot more regarding this innovation and our newest resins.
Resin 3D Printers
The Innovation: It's all about UV Lasers
The innovation behind (most) resin 3D prints is called Stereolithography. And also right here's the one-minute description of how Stereolithography functions:
- In the first circumstances, the roller of the printer expands a razor-thin layer of liquid polymer. Considering that this layer is liquid, it will certainly expand over the whole platform making sure that each layer has a constant density
- The liquid polymer we use is UV delicate. When struck by a computer-controlled UV laser, the resin will alter from a fluid to solid state. Generally, the laser "attracts" the describes of the print into the resin layer as well as hardens the components that it touches.
The parts that are not touched by the laser will certainly remain fluid
- These two steps are duplicated over and over as well as over again. The version is decreased by a portion, as well as the roller expands a brand-new layer. The laser after that solidifies details areas of that layer, which will certainly enter into your 3D print. This is repeated till the model is completed
When the printing process is finished and the whole things has been published, the print is raised out of the resin container. The excess liquid will simply flow away and can be reused for other prints. The prints then have to be eliminated and also ended up by hand (i.e. eliminate assistance framework, smoothen surfaces, spray-paint surface areas, etc.).
The Materials: From Tiny Details to Mammoth-Size
There is greater than one material used with this technology. As a matter of fact, we offer four different Stereolithography-based resins that all included their own attributes. Nevertheless, these materials likewise share some attributes: they showcase smooth surface areas and also are excellent for post-processing.
Mammoth resin: Mammoth resin is published on one of the largest printers around ... you presumed it, the Materialise Mammoth printers (that's additionally the printer you saw in the video clip above). Formerly this resin was referred to as Paintable resin. These printers can publish big components as much as a size of 2100x700x800 mm, which can be spray-painted in a number of colors.
Transparent resin: Additionally published on our Mammoth printers, Clear resin is (shock, surprise) clear as well as can be purchased in a number of shades. As a matter of fact, it is the only transparent product that we presently provide at i.materialise.com. It can also be gotten for parts as much as a size of 2100x700x800 mm.
Gray resin: Gray resin is the wonderful all-rounder. It features a terrific degree of detail, is suitable for small and also mid-size versions, and also showcases a smooth, gray surface area. This grey color makes it ideal for hand- or spray-painting tasks. That's why this resin is so prominent amongst the scale modeling community.
Standard resin: Our newest addition to the resin family members. Common resin comes at a low-budget cost while delivering very detailed results. To save some more money, you could also purchase Standard resin with support framework, meaning less time invested in post-processing.