Additive Manufacturing or “3D Printing” is a quick, efficient, and accurate way to build a prototype. At our shop we offer both SLA (Stereolithography) and PolyJet printing. Having both machines in house allows us to offer more to our customers as well as take advantage of their unique qualities. We also use printing to create the patterns for our RTV molds.
This process utilizes a UV laser to “draw” a two-dimensional image into a photopolymer resin. The laser is controlled by the 3D CAD database of your geometry. Wherever the laser makes contact with the resin the resin polymerizes (or hardens). This is done a layer (0.004”-0.006”) at a time until the 3-dimensional model is complete. The model is then removed from the machine, “rinsed” of unpolymerized resin and cured to its final properties under UV lamps. Extraneous rigid support structure and build lines can then be removed from the model.
Advantages of SLA Printing:
This unique jetting process delivers top quality, accurate, clean, smooth and detailed prototypes, at high speed. The jetting head slides back and forth along the X-axis, like an inkjet printer, depositing a single layer of photopolymer onto the build tray. Immediately after building each layer, UV bulbs alongside the jetting bridge emit UV light, curing and hardening each layer subsequently. Two different materials are used for building: one material is used for the actual model, while the second, gel-like photopolymer material is used for support. When the model is completed, a water jet removes this support material. There is no remaining physical support touching the model, eliminating mandatory finishing and post-building process, which allows for functional assemblies to be built as a single model and amazing surface detail right off the machine.
Advantages of PolyJet Printing:
