In our laboratory you can carry out projects based on technologies of selective laser sintering (SLS) and polymer spraying (PolyJet).

Printers:

• EOS Formiga P110

  The EOS Formiga printer with SLS technology allows for efficient production of small and medium series of elements. Laser sintered powders have a strength of 80-90% compared to injection moulded parts. Its speed and efficiency of production is unmatched by any other incremental technology, while guaranteeing precise manufacture and an easy to process and paint surface. The PA2200 material is certified biocompatible to EN ISO 10993-1 and USP/level VI/121 °C and approved for food contact, except for high-concentration alcohol products.

   

  Working chamber dimensions: 200x250x330 mm

   

  Application:

  • prototypes with increased mechanical strength and extensibility
  • low and medium volume production
  • medical products and products in contact with food, except for alcoholic products of high concentration
  • substitutes for atypical or discontinued components
  • art and advertising gadgets
  • vehicle parts
  • RC model parts, figurines
  • anatomical models to aid surgeons

• Objet30 Prime

  Objet30 Prime with PolyJet technology is the most precise 3D printer available in the Park. The Photopolymer Spraying technology with layers as thin as 16 micrometres (more than 4 times thinner than a human hair) allows for glossy or matte finish of the element walls. With a wide range of available materials, the Objet30 Prime printer allows you to print parts with special properties including: rigid, rubber-like, heat resistant, transparent or biocompatible.

   

  Application:

  • precise prototypes of elements with properties that meet diverse requirements;
  • parts with a lot of small details (e.g. jewellery, figurines, models);
  • transparent housings and inserts.

FAQ

• Which printing method is right for me?

  This depends on the customer’s needs. Models with the highest mechanical strength are created by  laser sintered powder on an SLS printer – Formiga P110. This is the most cost-effective technology for low to medium volume production. On the other hand, the Objet30 Prime printer in PolyJet technology allows one to print models with special properties, such as: higher transparency, flexibility, and at the same time high precision – layer thickness from 16 micrometres (4 times thinner than a human hair!).

• Can a model created on the SLS printer be painted or fitted later?

  Yes. If necessary, the polyamide elements can be easily machined and ground. Thanks to the rough sintered surface the printout can be easily coated with a layer of paint, coloured, glued or metallized.

• In what formats should I deliver the model I want to be printed?

  It is best to provide the model by email as a file with extension *.STL, but other 3D formats are also acceptable, such as: *.OBJ, *.STP.

• What is the price of a single print?

  The price is determined individually after detailed inspection of each model. On the EOS Formiga P110 printer the most profitable is to fill the working chamber as densely as possible, producing small and medium batches. PolyJet technology, using the Objet30 Prime printer, will pay off the most when producing very precise parts, or with specialized requirements.

• What materials are the parts printed from?

  Laser sintered models are manufactured from polyamide PA2200, which is a powdered equivalent of Nylon 12. The material is certified biocompatible and can be used in contact with food, except for high-concentration alcohols. Models printed with the PolyJet method are made of photopolymers, so-called light-curing resins. Each resin has a different purpose, tailored to the application of the model.

• How durable are SLS printouts?

  The strength of elements sintered from polyamide PA2200 powder is comparable to 80-90% of the strength of this material cast on an injection moulding machine. The material is also highly resistant to chemicals.

• Can I print a model that exceeds the dimensions of the printer working chamber?

  Yes. If it’s not a problem for the recipient, the model can be cut into smaller parts and appropriate keyways can be designed to allow the parts to be assembled seamlessly.

• When is it particularly worthwhile to use 3D printing?

  The use of 3D printers available at 3D Printing Laboratory may prove to be profitable compared to other conventional methods (e.g. milling and turning, casting), where the volume does not exceed 1000 pieces. In addition, 3D printing allows the production of components with complex geometry, tailored to individual user needs (e.g. prostheses, recalled spare parts of equipment, prototypes of machinery and equipment, preoperative visualization of a patient’s internal organs, and many others).

• What are the limitations of the 3D printers available in the laboratory? What do I need to know when designing a model?

  An often-discussed limitation of 3D printing technology is the support structures that must be rinsed, dissolved, or mechanically removed. This problem does not exist with SLS prints. The support material for the elements is the same powder from which the print is built, which remains in an uncured form. After the elements are produced, the powder is removed from around the print and the surface is cleaned. It is important to remember not to leave empty but closed spaces (such as an empty sphere), with the design taking into account an opening through which the powder can be removed from inside the print.

  • maximum dimensions of a single item that can be produced with the EOS Formiga P100 printer are 190x200x315;
  • when printing with PolyJet technology, it is necessary to avoid very narrow spaces where the print will be supported. This is due to the necessity of rinsing out the supports with a jet of water under high pressure;
  • maximum dimensions of a single piece that can be produced with the Stratasys Objet30 Prime printer are 294 x 192 x 148 mm;
  • when designing your model, avoid very thin walls (less than 0.4 mm) due to abrasive blasting or high-pressure water and the risk of damaging the part;
  • if you are not sure if your model will be printed correctly, please send it to us and we will check it for you and if necessary, suggest any necessary changes without additional charges.

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