3D Printing
Discover the 3D Printing Service for Your Needs.
The experience acquired over the years by Slayer Blades in the field of reverse engineering combined with the specific needs of customers and internal production have allowed Cor.Sa 3D to experiment with additive technologies, to research the best way to carry out every project. The development of these technologies went from the first prototyping for the validation of projects, creating plastic prototypes in FDM technology, to the creation of extremely detailed pieces with a SLA 3D printer, to the construction of models foundry sand molds for the production of specifics in metal. Today, the 3D printing service of Cor.Sa 3D consists of:
- Rapid Prototyping of plastics with FDM technology (Fusion Deposition Material) and with SLA printer (stereolithography). Service upon request.
- Production of sand casting molds by 3D printing (additive system ExOne S-Max Furan).
In addition, Cor.Sa 3D supports the reverse engineering service with rapid prototyping of particulars with the scan in different plastic materials. Hundreds of 3D printers are available on the market.
3D Printing: What It Is and How It Works.
3D Printing is a new technology that is transforming the contemporary industrial world. Born in 1980 and patented in 1986 by Charles Hull (also the founder of what has become today’s giant 3D System), until a few years ago 3D printing was a niche technology known to a few companies. Even the technology SLA printing (Stereolithography) and the systems of rapid prototyping like Selective Laser Sintering (SLS) or the fusion of plastic filaments (FDM) were invented at the same time as 3D printing; moreover, these activities are tied together by a key aspect: they allow all of them to create models for the addition of material, as opposed to the classic methods—like lathes and milling machines— that work for subtraction.
Thanks also to the expiration of some key patents, in recent years many companies have entered the field, reducing the costs of these systems and allowing a wider dissemination. Today 3D printing finds application in various sectors; in general, the main categories are: Consumer, Professional and Production. Depending on the reality in which it will be applied and on the specific needs, it is possible to choose and use the most suitable 3D printer (for example, a Consumer printer will never be productive and best qualified for large amounts).
In recent years the diffusion of 3D printing is taking on the character of a real “industrial revolution”: materials and technologies used are continuously evolving and are constantly optimized and improved to get close to all of the productive needs.
Printers and 3D Printing Technologies.
There are different 3D printing technologies with specific characteristics based on the type of use.
The main ones are:
3D FDM Printer
Fused deposition modeling is the best-known 3D printing technology. Rapid prototyping takes place layer by layer by an extruder that melts a thermoplastic filament. The main materials that can be used are ABS, PLA, Nylon and Ultem. The models created with this technology have good characteristics of resistance to heat, to chemical agents, to mechanical stress and environmental changes.
SLA Printer
(Stereolithography)
3D Stereolithography is the first real 3D printing system. It is based on the polymerization of a liquid for effect of a laser light. This triggers a chemical chain reaction that solidifies the resin in the tank at the points affected layer by layer. The piece is then treated with UV rays and deprived of the support created in the construction phase.
With 3D stereolithography, models of good accuracy with a high surface finish can be created.
DLP Printer
(Digital Light Processing)
DLP is a variant of stereolithography, that distinguishes itself, however, because of the use of LED or LCD projectors, which serve to polymerize the resin layer in the tank.
The construction plane is raised a few centimeters and then falls back again.
MJP Printer
(Multi Jet Printing)
The printing process happens by deposition of layers of photosensitive acrylic plastic and support materials that are then removed through a melting process and the subsequent washing. The phase-change technology with double material allows prototyping characterized by an excellent finishing and high definition, suitable also for esthetic checks and functional tests.
SLM Printer
(Selective Laser Melting)
Selective Laser Melting (SLM) is very similar to SLS, however they differ in the material used: in fact, metal powders or metal alloys without low-melting elements are used. This technology, moreover, does not use sintering for solidification of powder granules, but completely melts the material in a selective manner, using a high-energy laser; in this way, the properties of the model are practically identical to the ones of a model obtained by traditional fusion, but without presenting the criticality—like for example the fragility—typical of synthesized materials.
SLS Printer
(Selective Laser Sintering)
The SLS printer uses a laser to sinter (to fuse) thermoplastic, metallic or siliceous powders. The machine stretches the powders layer after layer on a table that is lowered progressively. The main advantage of this technology is the possibility to use various types of raw materials capable of returning high mechanical and thermal yields. Furthermore, supports are not necessary because the powder not synthesized will support the upper levels; it can then be removed at the end of the process in a fast and easy way.
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