Resin Solidification Speeds Up 3D Printing

[AlphaAtlas]

Researchers from the University of Michigan's engineering department have discovered a way to 3D print complex shapes "up to 100 times faster" than conventional 3D printers. Instead of laying down plastic filaments or other materials layer by layer, the researcher use two lights to selectively solidify liquid resin. Apparently, the researchers already used the technique to print complex objects, like a lattice structure and a boat with columns holding up a roof. They also claim the technique can be adapted to use harder materials, and that their printers have significant economic advantages over traditional 3D printers when objects need to be mass produced. The university posted the full research paper online

Check out a video of the 3D printer here.

The key to success is the chemistry of the resin. In conventional systems, there is only one reaction. A photoactivator hardens the resin wherever light shines. In the Michigan system, there is also a photoinhibitor, which responds to a different wavelength of light. Rather than merely controlling solidification in a 2D plane, as current vat-printing techniques do, the Michigan team can pattern the two kinds of light to harden the resin at essentially any 3D place near the illumination window. The University of Michigan has filed three patent applications to protect the multiple inventive aspects of the approach, and Scott is preparing to launch a startup company.

 

[Catboxer]

Nothing really new, I had an Objet with photo cured resin in my lab at the University in 2012. Beatiful prints that make PLA/ABS FDM prints look like garbage.

 

[T_A]

Sound like a different take on a technic thats been around for decades , i think there is a reason why layer printing with filament is much more popular than a vat with resin.
as for mass production , i dont think that this is the answer , the item in the video seems very crude.
also being subject to gravity having the shape rise like this , i think it limits the ability to create moving items

 

[Digital Viper-X-]

same?

 

[BoiseTech]

i think there is a reason why layer printing with filament is much more popular than a vat with resin.

Fused filament fabrication (FFF) printing is cleaner and easier to purchase raw materials in bulk. Resin printers must be cleaned post print to remove excess resin and can also require additional curing via UV rays to ensure hardness.

Color and material type can also be swapped without the need for extra resin containers or print beds.

FFF Printers also have a wider range of materials ie: Nylon, PLA, ABS, Recycle-able PETG, and Flexible TPU's.

While SLS may produce prettier parts, FFF parts can be popped off and used immediately.

 

[Bigdady92]

Sinter printing is the way to go. Print everything in metal, it'll last forever

 

[Galvin]

3D printing is a game changer. Who ever buys stock in it. Probably be a millionaire in 20 years or less

 

[LMT MFA]

3D printing is a game changer. Who ever buys stock in it. Probably be a millionaire in 20 years or less

Seeing as how fragmented the tech is, what is "it" to buy stocks in, it's not like it's a brand or a company or something.

 

[BoiseTech]

3D printing is a game changer. Who ever buys stock in it. Probably be a millionaire in 20 years or less

Are you, like, old? Check out Makerbots record, or the company Printrbot that recently went out of business. 3d printing is cool, and it'll take off at some time, but there are still a ton of hurdles to overcome. There are commercial applications, but it'll be a long long time before there is a printer in every home.

 

[Verge]

Seeing as how fragmented the tech is, what is "it" to buy stocks in, it's not like it's a brand or a company or something.

Until you can 3d print carbon fiber... it's kinda meh.

I guess some industrial can print metal, but i'd rather have forged

 

[[Spectre]]

Until you can 3d print carbon fiber... it's kinda meh.

I guess some industrial can print metal, but i'd rather have forged

Aerospace is headed to large amounts of 3D printing in metals and so is automotive.

 

[Mohonri]

Until you can 3d print carbon fiber... it's kinda meh.

I guess some industrial can print metal, but i'd rather have forged

There are already carbon fiber reinforced filaments out there.

 

[SDplus]

The breaking point for home 3D printing will probably be including some kind of nano-particle material that we haven't seen yet.