As part of our services in the scope of design and technological adjustment of details, as well as work related to industrial design, we utilize the 3D printing technology in order to confirm the functional and ergonomical properties of conceptual parts (rapid prototyping).
This type of approach features:
- greater economics in terms of financial and time investment, compared in ex. to machining of singular components;
- depending on the printing technology chosen and material grade, there is a possibility to obtain parts with durability properties almost identical to those of the final part
- the possibility of further mechanical machining of components, if required;
- the possibility of rapid introduction of a new component;
- the possibility of implementing rapid changes and re-manufacturing the prototype;
We offer the service of 3D printing in the incremental MSLA technology (using light-cured resin). Models obtained utilizing this technique feature high dimensional accuracy (up to ±0.05mm) and, after performing finishing operations, high surface quality.
The workshop is equipped with devices with different work areas:
- 134x75x130mm (X, Y, Z) – a machine operating with the highest resolution – allows the reproduction of the smallest details, up to 35µm in the X-Y plane;
- 190x120x200mm (X, Y, Z) – a machine designed for printing larger models with resolution of 50µm in X-Y plane;
- 290x165x400 mm (X, Y, Z) – a machine capable of printing with resolution of 76µm in the X-Y plane.
These machines make it possible to print layers (model growth in Z axis direction) in the range of 0.03-0.1mm, however, due to the excessive printing time, layers between 0.05 to 0.1mm are used. The relatively small working area (compared to the largest ones used for industrial purposes), compensates for the ease of work material change. In cases where the size of the model exceeds the working area, the printout can be divided into parts which are later joined by UV bonding using the resin which the parts were printed with. After surface finishing the joint line is invisible, and the durability of it is equal to the rest of the printed element.
We use materials of various colours – mainly: grey, white, transparent. It is also possible to obtain a dedicated colour by adding pigment. Materials also differ in terms of mechanical properties, i.e. elasticity, durability and temperature resistance (up to 230°C). Models printed using this method can be painted after prior treatment with a primer.
The second printing technique is FDM (known as filament printing). Our machine utilising this technology features working area of 150x150x150mm (X, Y, Z). The materials used are: PLA and ABS. The accuracy of the printout varies within ±0.1 to ±0.2mm and, due to the layer thickness (from 0.1 to 0.2mm) the models might present rough surface.
