Since the launch of the METHOD platform, MakerBot has been expanding the material capabilities of their METHOD and METHOD X 3D printers. This week, they announced the newest addition to enhance the METHOD platform; a composite carbon fiber extruder that further expands the printers' production range so that it can now create stronger and lighter parts with carbon fiber-infused composite material.
3D Printing Materials (5) Page 5
Stratasys, MakerBot, 3D Printing Materials
Introducing the MakerBot Method: Carbon Fiber Edition
May 20, 2020
3D Printing, PolyJet Technology, FDM Technology, 3D Printing Materials, Post-Processing
Surface Finishing Using SRF Technology
May 19, 2020
Support removal and surface finishing are very important final steps to completing the perfect part. These final steps come with variables that could damage your print if not handled properly. One type of surface finishing is Suspended Rotational Force (SRF) which brings hands-free and reliable surface finishing that eliminates the variables that could lead to damaged parts. Let's dive into this surface finishing technology and how it will make a difference in finishing your parts.
3D Printing, PolyJet Technology, 3D Printing Materials, Video Tech Tips for 3D Printing
Clear Coating PolyJet Parts
May 5, 2020
When printing a transparent material using a Stratasys PolyJet 3D printer, any surface where support material touches the model will result in a matte surface that doesn’t transmit light which can stand in contrast with any glossy surfaces. The part can be post-processed to achieve a higher level of light transmission with an even and glossy surface. In this article, we look at a quick and relatively low-effort method for giving a part an even, smooth and transparent finish.
3D Printing, 3D Printing Materials, Post-Processing
Surface Finishing Using TAF Technology
April 28, 2020
Surface finishing is the final step in producing a part to ensure it looks as close as possible to the intended design. There are multiple ways to finish a part and most require extensive manual labor and harsh chemicals to acquire that perfect finish. Thermal Atomized Fusillade (TAF) is an alternative to this manual process with hands-free, fully automated surface finishing by controlling heat, detergents, compressed air and suspended solids. Let's take a look at this option for surface removal.
3D Printing, Stratasys, PolyJet Technology, 3D Printing Materials
PolyJet 3D Printing's Role in the World of Silicone Molding
April 7, 2020
For many decades, mold making and casting were the go-to methods to produce realistic prototypes of smaller plastic goods. Often referred to as Room Temperature Vulcanization (RTV) or silicone molding, this is the process of producing a master part and making a flexible mold off that master. Then, the mold is filled with a two-part urethane resin, which cures into the shape of the mold. This produces a part that exactly mimics the original master’s shape and surface finish. This process is extremely versatile and is in use in many industries. Still, it requires a skilled model maker to produce a master and understand the proper molding techniques to achieve the desired result. Today, 3D printing is changing the way RTV molding is approached and no 3D printing technology is better suited for the task than Stratasys’ PolyJet technology. In this article, we will illustrate the process of RTV molding and explore how PolyJet printing can augment the various steps.
3D Printing, PolyJet Technology, 3D Printing Materials
3D Printing a Realistic April Fools' Prank
March 31, 2020
We’ve all heard it before – prank, gag, joke, high jinx, whatever you call it, the day for them only comes once a year. You guessed it, April Fools' Day! Commonly celebrated on April 1st in America, April Fools' Day is an annual custom consisting of silly jokes and funny pranks. Believed to have originated in the 12th century, this holiday permeates cultures around the world in different ways and is constantly evolving as technology continues to advance. Since the Stratasys J Series of PolyJet 3D printers can produce hyper-realistic parts, we decided to put it to the test and prank a fellow co-worker.
3D Printing, PolyJet Technology, FDM Technology, 3D Printing Materials, Post-Processing
Support Removal Using VVD Technology
March 24, 2020
Support and resin removal are often overlooked when it comes to the crucial steps needed to ensure your final part is perfect. Multiple variables come in to play, such as different materials and types of removal, which creates more opportunities to damage your prints. Volumetric Velocity Dispersion (VVD) brings a reliable solution to the variables of support and resin removal with automated removal using two jet rack manifolds to provide gentle and accurate support removal on complex geometries. Let's dive into this support and resin removal technology and how it will make a difference in finishing your parts.
3D Printing, PolyJet Technology, FDM Technology, 3D Printing Materials, Post-Processing
Support Removal Using SVC Technology
February 25, 2020
When it comes to 3D printing, there is plenty of information on how to set up the perfect print. However, there is another important step to achieving that impeccable model that often gets overlooked in the process, removing the support correctly to ensure there is no damage to the part. Submersed Vortex Cavitation (SVC) is a type of technology that is ideal for automated hands-free removal of support material on multiple types of 3D printed parts. Let's dive into this technology and how it can make a difference in finishing your parts and prototypes.
3D Printing, 3D Printing Materials
3D Printing Composite Materials: Micro Automated Fiber Placement
February 4, 2020
Automated Fiber Placement (AFP) is the additive manufacturing process of creating 3D shapes using composite layers of heated resin, which also contains non-metallic fibers. This process can result in 3D printed parts that are two times stronger than steel at one-fifth of the weight (which is excellent); however, the technology traditionally requires million-dollar AFP systems (which is not great). Desktop Metal has recently launched its new Fiber™ platform, which utilizes a technology they call “micro” automated fiber placement (μAFP), that radically reduces the structure and cost of the typical AFP process .