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TCT 18_5 Final_Layout 1 27/09/2010 12:58 Page 15

FOCUS on 3D Printing
Sponsored by HP
For more information visit our website at: hp.com/go/designjet3D

James Woodcock

Printing (3DP) is the fastest growing segment of the Additive Manufacturing the current crop of 3D Printers. Whether you're looking for something to produce models
3D industry, with a spate of new developments, launches and price reductions in the
last 12 months. Significantly Hewlett-Packard is back in the arena with its 3DP Designjet 3D
with a degree of functionality, or a machine that will allow you to quickly produce a physical
model at any point in the product development cycle. The Matrix of machine suppliers
printers — although not a new technology, the fact that HP is a household name is certain gives the definitive list of the most recent offerings from each company, along with details
to have an impact on this increasingly competitive sector. As has been covered before in of the materials (and their properties) that models can be created in — one of the most
this magazine, the definition of Additive Manufacturing and the various facets within it important factors when choosing between systems.
should always, for the moment at least, be considered the starting point for discussions —
it helps if everyone is singing from the same hymn sheet. For this feature a price-based A topic that has been discussed both within this magazine and across the blogosphere is
cut-off has been chosen: €45,000. whether there will come a time that every home has a 3D printer. It’s a moot point and
impossible to tell one way or the other. The trend that one can see already, exemplified by
There are some exceptions to this, but on the whole it is infinitely easier and truer to the the case studies on the following pages, is that as 3D printers become cheaper to
ethos of 3DP to separate by price rather than technology. Even within this price limit, the purchase, run and maintain more companies are seeing the opportunity to bring some of
range of prices and abilities is astounding — from $700 to $50,000 and all points in their prototyping in-house or even their production into AM.
between, using technologies as diverse as knife-cut paper and fused deposition modelling
(FDM). There is still a distinction between what most companies are willing to take on in-house and
what must still be sub-contracted to bureaux, but the reduction in price that will continue in
The aim of this feature is to educate you as to some of the abilities and costs of some of line with greater sales will continue to blur these lines.

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TCT 18_5 Final_Layout 1 27/09/2010 12:59 Page 17

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AM, Sailing and other musings...
focus on 3D printing
To start, a definition — 3D printing, n-fabrication of objects through the
deposition of a material using a print head, nozzle, or another printer
technology. Note: Term often used synonymously with additive manufacturing;
in particular associated with machines that are low end in price and/or overall
capability.

The above definition has been proposed, debated and ratified by the ASTM F42
Committee on Additive Manufacturing. A majority of the systems featured in
this review meet the criteria set out in this definition, but as ever there are
some exceptions. An Mcor Matrix machine, for example, should almost
certainly be considered a 3D printer in the overall spirit of the term — it
produces physical 3D models from an virtual 3D model, is relatively low-cost
and is accessible — however it doesn’t use a print head, nozzle or other
‘print-like’ technology. Likewise, a ProJet SD 3000 from 3D Systems is
currently a little over the $50k barrier, but it would be unfair to exclude it for
the purposes of this evaluation.

One of the most exciting things about 3D printing is the democratisation of


additive technologies. Although the hobbyist manufacturers see this as their
niche, it can be said to be true for all systems as it brings the power of 3D
creation into the factories, offices and homes of ordinary people. Anyone who
Case Study 1: HP and Roca
is already familiar with 3D CAD could easily use these systems to create
bespoke physical models, and those that aren’t CAD proficient can download With production centres on four For new tap designs, the Roca team
both free and paid-for files from a growing number of online libraries, such as continents and operations in over 135 used the HP Designjet Color 3D Printer
Makerbot’s very active Thingiverse (www.thingiverse.com). markets, Roca is a world leader in to build full-scale, functioning prototypes
bathroom furnishings. From product that they could actually run water
This democratisation is spreading as the cost of acquisition of 3D Printers is conception and design to through.
falling all the time: Objet Geometries recently announcing that the Alaris30 manufacturing, logistics and distribution,
system has been brought under the £17,000 point for the first time Roca strives to stay at the forefront of “We were able to test different water-
(http://bit.ly/alaris30); in July Z Corporation launched the ZPrinter 150 and innovation. flow options in the taps, thanks to the
250, starting at under £11,000 (http://bit.ly/zcorp); Hewlett-Packard entered strong mechanical properties of the ABS
the market with the Designjet 3D systems from around £10,000 in April The company started trialling an HP plastic,” explained Vegés. And by
(http://bit.ly/designjet)... This creates a self-perpetuating spiral that should be Designjet Colour 3D Printer, which applying a chrome coating to the outer
good for everyone (especially users) as lower prices lead to increased uptake, employs the tried and tested fused surface of the prototypes, the team
which sharpens competition and further lowers prices. But cost is seldom the deposition modelling (FDM) process in ended up with models that were not only
only factor to take into account when looking to purchase a coloured ABS plastic. The models functional but also conceptually realistic.
3D printer — How often do we have the luxury of a un- produced by this Roca were able to significantly reduce
capped budget to play with? method are widely their time-to-market by employing a
“Having an HP Designjet regarded as some of well-suited 3DP solution at the design
Know your needs the most robust and development phase.
Colour 3D Printer in-house available. At Roca's
The starting point therefore is to define what it is you want speeds up decision making headquarters in According to Congost, the HP Designjet
and need from your new purchase: speed, colour, robust Barcelona, Spain, Color 3D Printer's combination of
and reduces time to designers use the affordability, model quality and usability
models, low initial cost, print resolution, accuracy, etc. It
may be (and often is) the case that your budget doesn't market by up to three system to build make it a wise investment. He explained
stretch to the machine that ticks all the boxes on your prototypes of that Roca's ABS models are one-
months.” bathroom fixtures twentieth the cost of metal prototypes
specification sheet, in which case compromises will have to
be made. It is also often still the case that no one machine, - Josep Congost Design during the conceptual produced at the later development
and early phase, adding: “The cost of the machine
regardless of cost, can accommodate all your needs. How Manager Roca Sanitarios
you will use a 3D printer will ultimately guide your purchase development phases itself is insignificant compared to the
should you choose to buy one. of projects. gains made in the market. In only a few
months, it has become essential to the
Todd Grimm of T.A. Grimm & Associates Inc. recently published the results of “We used to outsource prototype way we work.”
his 3D Printer benchmarking exercise (http://bit.ly/tgrimm), which has given production to external printers, but it
the industry a much needed reference point for these technologies. Until now it was a trial-and-error process,” explains
has been difficult to compare each system. Todd employed a number of Roca Workshop Manager Oriol Vegés.
important metrics against which each system was tested. These included: the “We would have to wait to get a model
initial and running costs; process time; prototype cost; material properties; back before we could determine what to
surface finish; and dimensional accuracy. You can see some preliminary change in the next version.” With an in-
conclusions from this benchmarking on page 24. house 3D printer, Roca has decreased
prototype production time and
Again it is difficult to draw together the results into an easy-reference table or decreased the time needed for testing
snappy sound bite. The range of different abilities of the systems involved and revision cycles.
means that a like-for-like comparison is almost impossible but by comparing
against a set of standards it becomes easy to see which system excels in The system also fits well with the firm's
which area. environmental philosophy. ABS is non-
toxic and already used in a multitude of
People are talking manufacturing situations and as such is
widely recyclable. Models are ready to
A simple Twitter search for 3D Printing will flag up tens if not hundreds of handle, directly from the printer, though
Tweets each hour concerning 3D Printing and its applications. When the New support structures do need removing in
York Times recently ran an article (http://nyti.ms/NYT3DP) on 3D Printing a removal station if present.
(although, by the definitions here it’s not all 3D printing) Twitter was abuzz —
or achirp? — with activity, not only from those of us already au fait with such

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focus on 3D printing
things, but from total strangers to the technology. Nearly everyone that will really increase uptake.
3D printers who sees a desktop 3D printer turn out its first part is amazed, be it a
paper clip or a working mechanical model. (See the side-bar to see But this business model is likely to endure for a number of reasons.
Twitlist what people are saying.) For starters the 2D printing market works like this — a quick check of
our preferred supplier brings up the Canon PIXMA iP2702 A4 Inkjet
The Q&A-based opinion column from Janne Kyttanen on page 29 Printer for £30.95 inc VAT. Quite the bargain. If you want some ink for
Twitter can be used to judge the demonstrates what a forward looking person can achieve if they have that, and one presumes you will, that'll be £27.83 inc VAT for 1 black
levels of interest in any given the confidence to embrace new technologies while everyone else and 1 colour cartridge.
topic quite easily. For example watches nervously from the sidelines. The interview also highlights
a search for campanology some of the major problems for 3DP — the ability to create and share Now of course you can buy a generic version of the ink for a fraction
reveals just two results globally the STL files needed to produce a tangible part, and the overall cost of the price, and there is no doubt that as soon as there is a demand,
in the last 24 hours (two more of materials for most printers (some exceptions to prove the rule, as someone will be selling generic refils for 3D printers — I am neither
than I expected!), where a ever, do exist!). The ABS used in a number of 3D printers is much condoning nor condemning it, I just see it as an inevitability. I am
search for 3D printing yields more expensive in the pre-packaged filament form that the machines sure than Canon (along with any of the other companies that could be
nearer 60. The there are all the take when compared with bulk ABS prices. This isn’t surprising as used as an example here) would quickly defend their OEM cartridges
other terms related to 3D one will always pay a premium for ‘value added’ in terms of colour reproduction,
products. But whichever way you look at it, it’s still usage, environmental credentials
printing (3D printer, addtive
relatively expensive if manufacturers really do and safety etc, but the point
manufacturing, fabbing, “3D printed prototypes in our focus
eventually see a printer in every home. Unless the remains that the ink is, whichever
proprietary names etc.) that public at large suddenly start to worry a lot more groups give the company new way you look at it, expensive.
throw up hundreds of further about product miles (the distance a purchase has to
tweets.
levels of confidence in our product
travel between point of manufacture and point of In Janne's interview he states that,
use), it will be the fact that 3D printing is as cheap, lines and benchmark data for our in his opinion, the price of
Here are some of the best at the as easy and more personal than a trip to the shops business decisions. We're now materials commonly used in 3D
time of going to print: confidently backing the winners
@jDubbyah — It's decided, Case Study 2: rather than rolling the dice. We've
I'm printing my next house Z Corporation and The found a host of unanticipated
See more on this
http://bit.ly/ckEAwf applications for 3D printing and
Denby Pottery Company case study at TCT Live
myriad unanticipated benefits. In
@aviationnewsus —
Simulation & Training Industry Every so often, the return on a business fact, we have shortened product
Embraces 3D Scanning & 3D investment exceeds expectations. Among launch time from four to two years,
Printing the lucky few is The Denby Pottery concept to availability.”
http://www.aviationnews.us/arti Company Ltd., the venerable United
Kingdom tableware manufacturer. The - Gary Hawley, Designer, The Denby
cles.php?art_id=12141&start
company invested in a 3D printer intending Pottery Co. Ltd.
=1
simply to prototype its design concepts on
an “occasional” basis, but has found the
@chloe_lecool — Live 3D machine surprisingly useful for time- and prototypes. The analysis
printing, architects on site and money-saving applications in marketing, manufacturing and revealed that the service
a nice cuppa @metworks stoneware casting. bureau's cost for a typical
#openhouse. 2 more tours left model would be twice that
- come and visit us! E1 1LA Approaching its bicentennial year, the 600-employee company of printing models in-
annually produces more than five million pieces of tableware, house. Denby estimated an
@Fumon — I am still awake! coveted by newlyweds, discriminating hosts and connoisseurs in-house 3D printer from Z
3D printing robot parts. It's true! around the world. Corp would pay for itself in
four years, in part because
Before any product is sold, Denby creates several prototypes of its comparatively low
@emahlee — The Desktop
for internal review. For the better part of two centuries, the operating costs. Denby
Manufacturing Revolution by
company's designers hand-turned and hand-carved new purchased the ZPrinter 310
@cascio in @FastCompany design concepts in plaster. Despite the prodigious skills of the 3D printer, one of the
http://bit.ly/6mk3D Discusses carvers, some having more than 25 years of experience, the fastest 3D printers on the
3D printing, ideas from process was time-consuming and never produced 100% market. Initial expectations
@cshirky & @bruces 2/2 accurate models. As a result, it was hard for clients to fully were high, but realistic.
understand the concept being proposed. Additionally, the fact
@cparisi — Have become that a prototype could take as long as four weeks to create As expected, the printer
very interested in 3D printing. made the company perhaps too careful about introducing new has dramatically reduced
Saw #NYT article where some products. Denby's prototyping work.
guy creates #bespoke artificial A concept model now
limbs using it. Amazing I say. Denby Pottery needed a way to reduce the time it took to takes two hours to print
produce a physical concept prototype, increase the accuracy versus up to four weeks to
and quality of those prototypes, and put designers back into hand carve. Designers now have the time they need to work in
@NickolasMadsen — Lots of
the design studio where they could focus on generating new the studio and focus on new designs. They quickly and easily
talk about 3D printing as a final ideas. produce clear visual samples they can present to company
#manufacturing process today. directors, and it's easy to duplicate samples for additional
Cant wait to see were this goes. The designers investigated various rapid prototyping systems, audiences.
#3dPrinting #design eventually requesting a demonstration of 3D printing
technology from Z Corporation. Denby was quickly convinced Designers create prototypes in their DeskArtes 3D computer-
@engadget — MakerBot's investing in a 3D printer could save them time, improve model aided design software, then transfer designs to the ZPrinter
Automated Build Platform accuracy and free designers to concentrate on designing new 310. “We then hit print and go make a cup of tea,” said
enables handsfree, multi-part and better products. Just to make sure, Denby performed a Designer Gary Hawley. “It would take 10 full-time carvers to
3D printing http://bit.ly/dezOtR cost comparison against contracting with a service bureau for keep up with the machine.”

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focus on 3D printing
3D printing and
Intellectual
Printers is the single biggest factor Property rights
stopping a greater uptake of the systems.
It’s something I’ve heard again and again My attention was recently
from current and potential users. Based drawn to an an article
on the falling prices of the original published in the journal
systems, users prayers may start to be SCRIPTed — the online
answered soon... journal associated with the
Centre for Research in
Power to the people Intellectual Property and
Technology Law, at the
Another facet of the 3D Printing world, University of Edinburgh, UK.
and one that cannot be ignored, is the
rise of the open-source and hobbyist kits Written by Simon Bradshaw,
available from the likes of Rep-Rap, Adrian Bowyer and Patrick
MakerBot, Bits from Bytes and Haufe, the article examines an
Fab@Home. These systems are often interetsing side-effect of the
virtually indistinguishable from their aforementioned
'professional' counterparts on paper, with democritisation of 3D printing
similar resolutions and build chamber and its assoaciated and
sizes. This isn't to say that the two are facilitating techologies, that of
directly comparable however. Systems intellectual property rights.
aimed at the hobby market range from
around £500 for a do-it-yourself kit to It is well known that music,
around £2000 for a pre-assembled video and images are often Case Study 3: Objet and Peltor AB
system. The open-source ethos of these subject to copyright
systems means that users are restrictions by the owner or In the world of protection and communication gear, safety and quality are what
encouraged to manipulate and improve licence holder. All images in matters. Having equipment that fits properly is essential, and as it's worn daily, nice
the systems and share their successes this magazine for example design is appreciated as well. Creating well-designed head and face protectors and
with the rest of the community. must be free from copyright communication devices requires testing with prototype materials that mimic the
restrictions, or used only with materials used in the final design. This ensures that functional testing returns accurate
The open-source environment does the express permission of the results.
however encourage a rapid development copyright holder. Using an
of equipment, highlighted by the the image without this permission With more than 50 years of experience in developing and manufacturing hearing
recent introduction of the MakerBot would be an offence under the protectors, Peltor offers a wide range of products that are at the forefront of safety,
Automated Build Platform. The Copyright, Designs and comfort and aesthetics. Its line includes
development turns the usually static Patents Act 1988. communication devices (such as headphones
build platform into an automated and mouthpieces), safety glasses, hardhats and
conveyor belt. When a build has There are four classes of IP
Timely feedback from the visors, and its clients are professionals in
finished, the belt moves along, the rights that home users of prototypes has made it manufacturing, the military, aviation, forestry,
model pops off the end into a suitable 3D printers could infringe: agriculture, motor sports and other industries.
possible to implement and
container and the next build begins 1) Copyright
automatically. See the video here 2) Design Protections confirm changes in one or two Peltor utilises the Alaris30 desktop 3D printer
(http://bit.ly/autobelt). (registered or unregistered) days, rather than one or two from Objet Geometries to create accurate
3) Patent prototypes that function realistically and give
This sort of ‘bottom up’ innovation 4) Registered Trade Mark weeks. In addition, producing designers a way to see the final product before
(where the larger corporations can learn models in-house saves the production. The Alaris30 uses FullCure
from significantly smaller outfits) is We all know that using our VeroWhite model material, which acts like ABS,
different to most other manufacturing 2D printers to recreate a considerable costs of the material Peltor uses for some of its final
industries, and is just one more thing copywritten image is outsourcing. products. This allows Peltor to perform accurate
that sets 3DP apart. It is a reflection of against the law, but how fit, form and function tests of its products
the time we live in that this should be about using a white light before production, thus raising the quality bar.
the case, but it is also a reflection on the scanner to create a 3D
technologies and the way they are virtual model of a broken part, In comparing the performance of the Objet model and the end product, Peltor found
percieved. At the AM Conference in ficing it in CAD and printing that there is little differentiation between the end product made from ABS material and
Loughborough earlier this year I was yourself a new one? Have you the prototype printed on the Alaris30.
speaking to an attendee from a large, broken an IP laws there?
Japanese motor manufacturer who asked Hence, the company needed prototypes that are both good-looking and well
me: “Who’s thinking about the first AM The article concludes that, in functioning. The Alaris30 prints high resolution models that can be painted directly
production line? How will it look? Will it the UK, there is a surprisingly after printing to look exactly like the final product, solving Peltor's issue with look and
fit strainght into an established system?” favourable environment for the feel replication.
The answer could come from the big AM use of 3D printers in
players, but is just as likely to come personal, and occasionally Originally Peltor's prototypes were produced by other companies, which made the
from a one man band with a ‘low-tech’ commericial, settings. The design iteration a slow and laborious process. With the Objet Alaris30 in-house, the
3D printing system! fact that the capabilities of evaluation time for a prototype is considerably faster. Timely feedback from the
many accessible 3D printers prototypes has made it possible to implement and confirm changes in one or two
The Matrix on the following page gives a are still relatively low in terms days, rather than one or two weeks. In addition, producing models in-house saves the
roundup of the systems available today of the look and feel of the considerable costs of outsourcing.
in the sub $50k market. As most of final products means that
these technologies are on show at TCT copies are easily Reducing the design iteration time, has in turn decreased time to market.
Live I would urge you to read Jeremy’s distinguished — when these Development costs are lower due to the lower prototype costs, and ROI is faster
Column on page 65 (remembering that systems start to become more because of a significantly reduced and more accurate design phase. According to
this is one man’s opinion!), then come capable IP stakeholders might Hansson, Peltor will not “sell any product with known quality problems so finding the
along to the show and really get to grips start to take a keener interest problems with the prototype is perfect.”
with the technologies featured here. in protecting their designs.

the tct magazine 18/5 21


Manufacturer Machine Machine Size Build Envelope Build Materials Layer Price No. Sold
(in Euros unless
Name/Number (b x d x h mm) (b x d x h mm) Thickness specified)
Worldwide

V-Flash Personal
660 x 690 x 790 230 x 170 x 200 FTI-GN Natural (acrylic)1 0.1 mm 9,900 Euros
3D Printer

VisiJet SR200 (acrylic)2


ProJet SD 3000 (natural, gray or blue)
737 x 1257 x 1504 298 x 185 x 203 0.025–0.05 mm
3D Systems 3D Printer
www.3dsystems.com VisiJet EX Plastic (acrylic)3
info@3dsystems-europe.com

Dimension BST 1200 es 838 x 737 x 1143 254 x 254 x 305 0.0254–
18,500 Euros
0.33mm
Dimension SST 1200 es 838 x 737 x 1143 254 x 254 x 305 0.0254– -
24,370 Euros
0.33mm
0.178–
Dimension 3D Printing Dimension Elite 838 x 737 x 1143 254 x 254 x 305 ABSplus4 22,150 Euros
www.dimensionprinting.com
0.254 mm
info@dimensionprinting.com
635 x 660 x 787
uPrint (one material bay) or 203 x 152 x 152 0.254 mm 11,900 Euros
635 x 660 x 940
(two material bays)

635 x 660 x 800


ABSPlus4 in white, ivory, red,
(one material bay) or 0.254mm or
UPrint Plus 203 x 203 x 152 blue, black, grey, nectarine, 15,500 Euros
635 x 660 x 953 0.330mm
florescent yellow and olive green
(two material bays)

DigitalWax 008 380 x 495 x 560 65 x 65 x 90 16,000 Euros


Direct casting DC series5,
Direct Moulding DM series6, 100–10 µm
DWS Systems PP-like DL series7
www.dwssystems.com DigitalWax 028 380 x 495 x 670 65 x 65 x 90 41,000 Euros
info@dwssystems.com

Matrix 300 900 x 700 x 800 277 x 190 x 150 A4 Paper 80 gsm8 0.1 mm 29,950 Euros
Mcor Technologies.
www.mcortechnologies.com
deirdre@mcortechnologies.com

19,900 Euros*
FullCure7059, *Price excludes VAT,
Alaris30 825 x 620 x 590 300 x 200 x 150 28 µm
Objet Geometries VeroWhite10 shipping duties, taxes and
otions
www.objet.com
info@objet.com

Engineered plastic in
SD 300 Pro 770 x 465 x 420 160 x 210 x 135 (XYZ) 0.17mm (Z) 9,500 Euros
Solido a variety of colours11
www.solido3d.com
ran@solido3d.com

Prices from
ZPrinter 150 740 x 790 x 1400 236 x 185 x 127 High-Performance Composite12 0.1 mm £10,900

Prices from
ZPrinter 250 740 x 790 x 1400 236 x 185 x 127 High-Performance Composite12 0.1 mm £17,900

0.09– Prices from


ZPrinter 350 1220 x 790 x 1400 203 x 254 x 203 High-Performance Composite12 £18,585
0.1 mm
Z-Corporation
www.zcorp.com 0.09– Prices from
uksales@zcorp.com ZPrinter 450 1220 x 790 x 1400 203 x 254 x 203 High-Performance Composite12 0.1 mm £28,380

0.09– Prices from


ZPrinter 650 1880 x 740 x 1450 254 x 381 x 203 High-Performance Composite12 £42,985
0.1 mm

Prices from
ZBuilder Ultra 711 x 775 x 1803 260 x 160 x 190 SI500 photopolymer13 50–100 µm
29,995 Euros

1 - ABS14
2 - PLA15
MakerBot Industries 3 - HDPE16
300 x 250 x 400 100 x 100 x 120 0.25–0.5 mm 700 Euros
Cupcake CNC 4 - Frosting17
MakerBot
5 - Peanut Butter18
http://makerbot.com
contact@makerbot.com
6 - Silicone19

Perfactory Aureus 450 x 450 x 480 60 x 45 x 100 Nanocure RC25; WIC100G; R1120 25–35 µm

Nanocure RC2521; Wic100G22,


Ultra 736 x 762 x 1168 264 x 165 x 203 R1123, SI30024, PIC10025, 20–100 µm
E-Shell 200 series26
Pricing
information
PixCera Perfactory DDP 450 x 450 x 480 60 x 45 x 100 WIC 30027 25–50 µm
Envisiontec not supplied.
www.envisiontec.com Nanocure RC2521; Wic100G22,
info@envisiontec.com
DDSP Digital Desktop R1123, SI30024, PIC10025,
450 x 450 x 480 100 x 75 x 100 25–150 µm
Shell Printer E-Shell 200 series26;
E-Shell 300 series27

HP Designjet 3D Printer 762 x 660 x 660 203 x 152 x 152 ABS28+ in Ivory 0.25 mm £11,050

HP HP Designjet Color 3D
762 x 660 x 660 203 x 152 x 152 ABS+ in 8 Colors 0.25 & 0.33 mm £14,620
www.hp.com Printer

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focus on 3D printing

A very rough guide to choosing the


Materials used in 3D Printing system best suited to you.
1) FTI-GN Natural (acrylic)
1) If money is your main factor considered to obtain a full picture.
2) VisiJet SR200 (acrylic) If you’re really struggling for cash, and
simply must have a 3D printer now, 4) You need good surface finish
3) VisiJet EX Plastic you’re best turning your gaze to the likes Variation between systems is only the
of Makerbot, Bits from Bytes and start of the issues here. Different printed
4) ABSplus Fab@Home. models will have different surface finishes
ABSplus — a production-grade thermoplastic — and are tough enough for on the same system; the same models
functional testing under real-world conditions. They can be drilled, machined, If not, the top three for initial purchase with different build orientation will have
sanded, painted, even chrome-plated. They're suitable for proof of concept, price are Solido’s SD300 Pro, 3D different finish on the same system! It’s is
functional testing, product mock-ups and even making jigs, fixtures and vacuum Systems’ V-Flash, and HP’s DesignJet impossible to pick between the
forming moulds. 3D. maufacturers as variation is simply too
great within the same printed model and
5) Direct casting DC series Running costs and costs of individual between printed models for each system.
models are exceptionally dfficult to pin With so many variables, it is hard to rank
6) Direct Moulding DM series down — build speed, length of the systems. but if looking for near-paint
continuous run-time, material, build ready finishes, the top two systems are
7) PP-like DL series orientation, stacking, amount of manual Alaris30 and ProJet SD 3000.
post-processing and amount of
8) A4 Paper 80 gsm waste/support material all have an 5) Dimensional accuracy
There are no environmental concerns in relation to paper and the MSDS for the influence on the final cost to you of any If you’re relying on your printed models
adhesive outlines that there are no hazards, as the adhesive has no toxic chemicals. given model. For a detailed analysis of having good dimensional accuracy then
each of these factors I would refer you to there are clear distinctions to be made
9) FullCure705 — Support material the T. A. Grimm and Associates 3D between systems here. Of the
Printer Benchmark. http://bit.ly/tgrimm benchmarked systems, the Objet Alaris30
10) VeroWhite — Tensile Strength: 7,221 psi (49.8 MPa) — Flexural Strength: had the best dimensional accuracy with
10,817 psi (74.6 MPa — Izod Notched Impact: 0.45 ft lb/in (24.1 J/m) — Flexural 2) You need speed the HP Designjet 3D coming second.
Modulus: 309,865 psi (2,137 MPa) — Shore Hardness: Scale D, 83. The outright winner in this respect is the Third place is essentially a tie between
ZPrinter range, which tends to be The 3D Systems ProJet SD 3000 and the
11) PVC - Engineered plastic significantly quicker per cm3 than other Solido SD300 Pro.
Superb phyisical properties of parts (strong and durable) - Ability to print flexible systems. Again however a word of
parts including living hinges - Ability to print transparent parts - Great for: Form fit & caution: many factors will effect how long 6) You need easy post production
assembly, Concept modeling, Functional and presentation models. it takes to get from your on-screen model The only fully automated post-production
to having the ‘finished’ physical model in system comes from HP, although this
12) High-Performance Composite — The high performance composite materials your hand. Build speed is important but requires investment in a separate support
deliver parts that are strong, high-resolution, multi-colour and reportedly the lowest startup times, post-processing time, removal system and is the slowest
cost per printed part. ZPrinted models can be finished to meet your needs, from amount of simultaneous models you can method. Both ZPrinter models and Solido
resin for ultra-strong functional prototypes to water for creating concept models build and length of continuous run-time SD300 Pro reportedly took from 30
quickly, safely and affordably. Z Corporation parts can be sanded, drilled, tapped and all play an important role. The top three minutes to get from build finish to hand
electroplated, further expanding the options available for finished part characteristics. from the Benchmarking Study are — SD300 Pro is fully manual, ZPrinters
ZPrinter, V-Flash and Alaris30. partially manual.
13) SI500 photopolymer
Tensile Strength: 6240 PSI (43 MPa) — Tensile Elongation at Break: 4.5% — 3) You’re going green 7) You want something on your desk
Flexural Strength: 8740 PSI (60 MPa) — Flexural Modulus: 263 kSI (1810 MPa) — Here the Mcor is the winner. Although not The whole point of 3D Printing is that you
Hardness: 86D — Heat Deflection Temp (0.45 MPa): 56°C — Heat Deflection Temp considered in the Benchmarking Study, can run the systems in your office
(1.82 MPa): 47°C. the Mcor uses standard 80gsm A4 paper without the need for major rennovation
as the build material and non-toxic works. In that sense almost all the
14) ABS — Tensile Strength, Type 1, 51 mm/min 5,300 psi (37 MPa); Tensile adhesive means that all models and systems covered here will fit somewhere
Modulus, Type 1, 51 mm/min 330,000 psi (2,320 MPa); Tensile Elongation, Type 1, waste support can be recycled easily as they’re all (relatively) small. Odour,
51 mm/min, 3%; IZOD Impact, notched, (Method A, 73º (23ºC)) 2.0 ft-lb/in (106 through normal commerical and dust and noise are the three biggest
J/m); Glass Transition (TG), 226º F (108º C); Coeffi cient of Thermal Expansion household recycling programmes. threats to your working environment,
4.90E-05 in/in/F. Recyclability of supports and models, however none of these problems would
energy consumption and environmental stop you purchasing a particular system
cost of material production must all be if it ticked your other boxes.

24 the tct magazine 18/5

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