PolyJet Technology (4) Page 4

Stratasys’ PolyJet 3D printing technology can produce some amazingly detailed parts that can mimic a wide range of rigid and flexible materials – even full-color and transparent parts. With some simple post-printing steps it is easy to obtain a stunning high gloss finish on even the matte surfaces of PolyJet parts. In a previous overview, we showed you how to clear coat complex shaped parts to obtain a gloss surface without any sanding or polishing. In this tutorial, I will show you how to create high gloss, even optically clear finishes, on parts the old fashioned way, with some elbow grease.

Gone are the days of simple monochromatic 3D printing. Now, more than ever, we need a single language to connect product designers to model makers to ensure that prototypes look just as they were intended, and the PANTONE color scheme is the key for creating products and prototypes with 100% color specificity! This allows manufacturers to visualize the exact color of their products or prototypes, and to match their colors to brand or product guidelines as needed. For the past decade, we have seen how the 3D printing industry has evolved to full and multi-color printing and how today, there are multiple PolyJet 3D printers capable of creating full-color, high-accuracy parts with the PANTONE colors. In this article, we explore the different PolyJet 3D printers that can print using the PANTONE matching system (PMS).

When creating multiple iterations of a part, it can be helpful to apply a label for identification purposes. Using SOLIDWORKS, we can apply a label to our part with color and finish, then transfer those settings directly to our printer software for 3D printing on our Stratasys PolyJet machine.

Technological advancements in 3D printing and scanning have opened up so many possibilities to revolutionize the fashion industry. Stratasys has teamed up with innovative designers to produce 3D printed clothing that goes beyond traditional fabrics. They unveiled a major breakthrough with flexibility, customization and replication of any color. 

This week's Product Story showcases biomechanically accurate models that are 3D printed using the J750 Digital Anatomy Printer at the Jacobs Institute. 

The Jacobs Institute specializes in collaborating with industry and physicians to drive innovation. They teamed up with Stratasys to make the idea of creating anatomical models that represent the actual look and feel of tissue become a reality. The goal was to provide an alternative to cadavers and animal studies while still providing specific pathologies to practice procedures.

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.

In 2019, Stratasys announced that their J735/J750 and their J835/J850 PolyJet machines successfully passed the rigorous requirements needed to make them the world’s first and only PANTONE-validated 3D printers. This was a huge hit and manufacturers around the world were rejoicing. At the beginning of this year, Stratasys launched the J826, which is also PANTONE-capable and changes the game for 3D printing as design and prototype colors can now be matched with 100% specificity. Most recently, they released the newest member of the J-series, the J55, the first 3D printer to use a rotational printing sequence to bring you high-quality and high-accuracy parts in an office or studio environment.

As a leader in the 3D printing industry, Stratasys is continuously improving their product portfolio and technologies to provide you the best solutions available in the market. It has been an exciting few months for their PolyJet J-series of printers, and it continues to get better. Stratasys just launched their newest addition to this family, the Stratasys J55, designed to bring you unparalleled part realism, in an office or studio environment, at an affordable price.