-Stereolithography, the technology behind most resin 3D prints, is often described as 'the mommy of all 3D printing technologies' and is thought about among one of the most commonly utilized methods for generating top notch 3D prints. Right here at Materialise, we have actually been utilizing Stereolithography given that 1990. Time to chat a bit extra regarding this technology as well as our most recent materials.
Resin Printer 3D
The Technology: It's all about UV Lasers
The technology behind (most) resin 3D prints is called Stereolithography. And right here's the one-minute description of just how Stereolithography functions:
- In the very first circumstances, the roller of the printer expands a razor-thin layer of fluid polymer. Since this layer is liquid, it will expand over the whole system ensuring that each layer has a regular density
- The fluid polymer we use is UV sensitive. When struck by a computer-controlled UV laser, the resin will alter from a liquid to strong state. Essentially, the laser "draws" the details of the print into the resin layer and sets the components that it touches.
The parts that are not touched by the laser will certainly remain fluid
- These 2 steps are repeated over and over and also over again. The model is reduced by a portion, and also the roller spreads out a new layer. The laser then strengthens certain areas of that layer, which will enter into your 3D print. This is repeated till the design is completed
Once the printing process is completed as well as the whole item has actually been published, the print is elevated from the resin storage tank. The excess fluid will simply move away and also can be recycled for various other prints. The prints then have to be eliminated and finished manually (i.e. get rid of assistance structure, smoothen surface areas, spray-paint surface areas, etc.).
The Resins: From Tiny Information And Facts to Mammoth-Size
There is greater than one product utilized with this technology. In fact, we provide four various Stereolithography-based resins that included their own features. Nonetheless, these resins also share some characteristics: they feature smooth surface areas and are fantastic for post-processing.
Mammoth resin: Mammoth resin is printed on among the largest printers around ... you thought it, the Materialise Mammoth printers (that's also the printer you saw in the video above). Formerly this resin was referred to as Paintable resin. These printers could publish big parts up to a dimension of 2100x700x800 mm, which can be spray-painted in numerous colors.
Transparent resin: Also printed on our Mammoth printers, Clear resin is (shock, surprise) transparent and can be bought in a number of colors. Actually, it is the only clear material that we presently supply at i.materialise.com. It could additionally be gotten for parts up to a size of 2100x700x800 mm.
Gray resin: Gray resin is the wonderful all-rounder. It features an excellent level of information, appropriates for tiny as well as mid-size designs, as well as showcases a smooth, gray surface. This gray shade makes it ideal for hand- or spray-painting work. That's why this resin is so popular amongst the scale modeling neighborhood.
Standard resin: Our most recent enhancement to the resin family. Basic resin comes at a low-budget price while delivering really in-depth outcomes. To save some even more money, you could also purchase Standard resin with support framework, implying less time invested in post-processing.