New 3D Printers and Materials from 3D Systems

Every year, EuroMold offers manufacturers an international stage on which to display new and upcoming products. This year is no different, and Rapid Ready has already given you some of what to expect from the show. Now, 3D Systems (3DS) has begun spilling details about new systems, rather than the general overview they offered prior to EuroMold.

We’ll start by examining the ProX 500 Plus. 3DS calls this 3D printer a fab-grade SLA system, with a build envelope of 381 x 330 x 457 mm (15 x 13 x 18 in.), resolution up to .45 mm, and a build speed of 2 l/h. According to 3DS, that build speed represents a 30% increase in print speed when in high-speed mode.

The company has also released information about three materials specifically designed to be used with the ProX 500 Plus.

• DuraForm ProX GF is a glass-filled polyamide (Nylon) material formulated for maximum stiffness and elevated temperature resistance. The company says it is well-suited to parts that will undergo thermal stress or those that require high rigidity—like aircraft and automotive parts, complex housings and enclosures.
• DuraForm ProX AF+ material is an aluminum-filled polyamide (Nylon) with a gray appearance, high strength-to-weight ratio, elevated thermal resistance and improved machinability, according to 3D Systems. It is suited for manifolds and similar under-hood automotive models in addition to jigs and fixtures.
• DuraForm ProX EX is a high impact strength nylon material with increased durability, which the company says has remarkable flexibility. DuraForm ProX EX is intended for applications with high-force snap-fit designs, thin-walled parts and other fine-featured models.

3DS also announced new material options for its desktop SLA additive manufacturing (AM) system, the ProJet 1200. The new materials include FTX Cast, which is a wax/resin hybrid meant to be useful for a number of casting methods, and FTX Silver and FTX Gold, which can provide realistic jewelry samples or prototypes. Other materials added include dental FTX Green, FTX Clear, and FTX Grey.

Below you’ll find a video about the ProJet 1200.

The ProX 800 is another new fab-grade SLA system the company introduced at EuroMold. This new 3D printer offers and adjustable build envelope depending on job. The system can be set at Full 650 x 750 x 550 mm (25.6 x 29.5 x 21.65 in.); Half 650 x 750 x 275 mm (25.6 x 29.5 x 10.8 in.);  or Short 650 x 750 x 50 mm (25.6 x 29.5 x 21.97 in.). Resolution comes in at 0.00127 mm (0.0005 in.), with accuracy at 0.025-0.05 mm (0.001-0.002 in) per inch of part dimension.

“The ProX 800 is designed for serious volume production with the highest precision, highest accuracy and broadest array of functional plastic materials in 3D printing. Its large build volume is equally capable across both big and small parts while delivering the lowest part cost and lowest total cost of ownership available in a production grade printer,” said Buddy Byrum, VP of product and channel management, 3DS, via a press statement. “We continue to innovate SLA technology, and have made it more economical and efficient than ever before.”

Finally, 3D Systems has announced its intent to acquire Cimatron. Cimatron is a provider of integrated 3D CAD/CAM software products and solutions for manufacturing that is known for its CimatronE and GibbsCAM applications.The transaction adds complementary products and technology and also extends 3D Systems’’ direct and reseller sales, the company states. Learn more on Desktop Engineering.

Source: 3DS