Apr 23, 2018 | By David
Major global 3D printing company EnvisionTEC recently announced some updates and additions to its existing ranges of cutting-edge 3D printing products, which span a number of different fields. Demonstrating its commitment to staying ahead of the curve, the Michigan-based company will be releasing a few new medical-grade printing materials that are compatible with its market-leading 3D-Bioplotter. It is also offering a hardware updgrade for two of its large-frame 3SP 3D printers, giving them a new level of print resolution that is comparable to its other 3D printing systems.
EnvisionTEC will now be selling UV Silicone 60A MG, as well as HT PCL MG. UV Silicone 60A MG is a biocompatible, bio-inert, non-biodegradable liquid silicone rubber, that is intended for curing with a UV light. It is capable of delivering a Shore A hardness of 60, and is meant for short-term use in the human body, no more than 29 days. It is suitable for microfluidics applications, as well as wound dressings and developing prototype implants. HT PCL MG is a biodegradable thermoplastic polyester, that is for processing at high temperatures. The material will be offered in two molecular weights, affecting its stiffness, flexibility and degradation time. These are 80 kDa and 120 kDa. It is suitable for long-term use in the human body, and would be ideal for bone regeneration as well as hybrid scaffolds.
EnvisionTEC’s new materials are approved for safely implanting in the human body, designated as medical-grade, and they are designed to be compatible with the company’s 3D-Bioplotter. The company’s other material categories for bio-printing are technical-grade and research-grade, with variations in cost and purity depending on the potential applications. The 3D-Bioplotter is EnvisionTEC’s only open-source 3D printer, and this enables users to develop their own materials for specific research cases or patients. It is available in three different versions: Starter, Developer and Manufacturer.
As for its 3SP 3D printing systems, EnvisionTEC is now offering a XY resolution of 25 microns for two of its largest 3D printers. This resolution is equivalent to half the cross-section of a human hair. This hardware upgrade is being made available for the Vector UHD 3SP, which has a build area of 300 x 200 x 275 mm (11.8 x 7.9 x 10.8 in), and the Xede UHD 3SP, with a build area of 457 x 457 x 457 mm (18 x 18 x 18 in.) The upgrade has been made possible by the development of a new FPGA (field-programmable gate array) control. This allows the system to turn its laser on and off in the Y scanning direction faster than ever before.
(all images, source: EnvisionTEC)
EnvisionTEC’s 3SP (Scan, Spin and Selectively Photocure) technology was launched back in 2013, as a more efficient alternative to stereolithography (SLA) 3D printing. Instead of using an expensive solid state laser like many SLA systems do, 3SP makes use of a multi-cavity diode laser, which is reflected off a spinning mirrored drum. This 3SP approach is particularly popular for dental applications, due to its precision and relative affordability. As awareness of the technology grows, it is also increasingly being implemented in the automotive, aerospace, and consumer goods sectors.
Posted in 3D Data Storage
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Cant wait till I can print my own clone.
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