Based 10 years in the past, Raise3D has established itself as a outstanding international provider of 3D printing {hardware}, creating professional- and industrial-grade extrusion techniques (for polymers and metals), selective laser sintering machines and digital mild processing (DLP) options. Within the case of the latter, Raise3D just lately expanded its portfolio with the roll out of the DF2+, the next-generation DLP resolution in its DF2 collection.
The brand new {hardware} resolution builds on the successes of the unique DF2 platform by way of the addition of {hardware} upgrades like an industrial-grade DLP projector and broader materials compatibility, each with proprietary Raise3D technical resins and verified third-party choices. Importantly, the brand new DF2+ meets the wants of a rising and more and more skilled resin 3D printing consumer base that features gamers from the medical, automotive, product design and engineering sectors. These customers, who’re on the lookout for accuracy, throughput and a seamless workflow, can profit from all that Raise3D’s new resolution presents within the manufacturing of high-performance elements.
Why select DLP
Within the broader vat photopolymerization market, finish customers can select from a variety of various applied sciences, together with stereolithography (SLA), which makes use of a laser to selectively treatment layers of resin; masked stereolithography (MSLA, additionally referred to as LCD), which makes use of LCD screens to masks the sunshine and selectively treatment; and digital mild processing (DLP), which makes use of a light-weight projector to treatment complete layers without delay.
Whereas customary SLA is often considered the know-how in a position to attain the best decision and stage of element, MSLA and DLP get pleasure from printing at considerably quicker speeds, since every layer is cured without delay. When evaluating MSLA and DLP applied sciences, nonetheless, there are nonetheless key variations. As Raise3D explains: “DLP printers just like the Raise3D DF2+ use a projector to flash the whole picture of every layer onto the resin without delay. Tiny mirrors contained in the projector management the place the sunshine hits, curing the resin in the fitting locations to type the printed half.”
MSLA (LCD) 3D printers, in contrast, use backlighting by way of an LCD panel to successfully masks every layer, in order that the unmasked portion of the resin is cured. Whereas 3D printers primarily based on this know-how can typically be extra inexpensive (thus appropriate for consumer-grade printing), there are particular drawbacks to it that make DLP extra appropriate for professional-grade purposes. As an illustration, MSLA has been identified to undergo from uneven mild distribution, shorter machine lifespans and inconsistent dimensional accuracy for printed elements.
By utilizing a light-weight supply and mirrors to treatment a complete layer, DLP options like the brand new DF2+ are inclined to ship extra constant mild depth for uniform curing, greater accuracy (notably for advantageous geometries), quicker publicity instances and an extended projector lifespan. “The DF2+ capitalizes on DLP’s strengths to ship a high-performance system geared for practical prototypes, tooling, dental fashions, medical units and small-batch manufacturing elements,” Raise3D provides.
It’s price noting that when evaluating the resolutions of MSLA and DLP techniques, it may appear at first look that MSLA presents a superior end. However as Raise3D factors out, “a better decision quantity on paper doesn’t all the time imply higher ends in observe”. Due to the distinction in publicity methods, DLP machines can typically truly obtain cleaner edges and extra dependable dimensions.
DF2+, a totally built-in ecosystem
Not solely can customers profit from the inherent benefits of DLP 3D printing when utilizing the DF2+, they will additionally obtain a extra streamlined workflow because of a totally built-in ecosystem. Usually talking, one of many bottlenecks of resin-based 3D printing is that it includes a number of steps (slicing, printer setup, resin dealing with, printing, washing and curing). This advanced workflow introduces sure dangers in relation to errors and effectivity.
To unravel this, Raise3D has built-in the DF2+ inside a broader ecosystem that makes the whole lot from slicing to materials dealing with extra streamlined. The ecosystem contains ideaMaker, a devoted software program program for slicing and printer administration that features setting profiles for varied appropriate resins; RaiseCloud, a web-based platform for remotely managing and monitoring a number of 3D printers in actual time; the DF Wash station for simplified half cleansing; and DF Remedy for extremely managed and automatic UV post-curing.
One other key aspect of Raise3D’s absolutely built-in ecosystem is the DF2+’s new built-in RFID resin administration system. Briefly, the corporate has built-in RFID readers into the printer’s resin tank and cartridge interface, whereas additionally embedding RFID chips into Raise3D resin containers. When a consumer installs a resin bottle or tank, the 3D printer can routinely acknowledge the kind of resin and observe metrics like resin utilization and lifespan to assist decrease the chance of contamination or different resin-related failures.
The RFID resin administration system presents a variety of advantages to finish customers, corresponding to minimized setup instances, much less threat of error since materials recognition is computerized, higher traceability and maximized resin utilization because of the monitoring characteristic.
Raise3D has additionally leveraged RFID know-how in one other method: it has built-in an RFID tag into every DF2+ 3D printer, whereas its DF Wash and DF Remedy stations have built-in RFID readers. Because of this within the printing course of, ideaMaker software program can add print job knowledge to the printer’s tag (together with resin kind, publicity parameters and post-processing settings). When it comes time to clean and treatment, the post-processing {hardware} options routinely learn this knowledge within the construct platform’s RFID tag and know precisely what to do.
By automating a number of steps within the 3D printing workflow, Raise3D is enabling its clients to attain a extra streamlined workflow with minimal handbook enter.
Broader materials compatibility
As well as the aforementioned options, Raise3D emphasizes that its new DF2+ DLP resolution makes it potential for customers to print a broader vary of resin supplies, together with proprietary Raise3D supplies like Raise3D Robust 2K and Raise3D ESD resin, in addition to third-party resins validated by way of the Raise3D Open Materials Program (OMP). Already included on this class are varied Henkel LOCTITE resins and Ahead AM Ultracur3D resins.
“The OMP initiative ensures third-party supplies are examined, validated and supported, giving skilled customers entry to a rising portfolio of technical resins, ranging from €49.99/kg,” the corporate says. This versatility opens up a variety of purposes for Raise3D’s DF2+ platform together with:
- Temperature resistant elements
- ESD Secure elements
- Flame retardant elements
- Robust engineering prototypes
- Versatile elastomeric elements
- Biocompatible medical units
- Dental surgical guides
- Casting resins for jewellery or tooling
Upgraded specs
Beneath are the important thing specs for Raise3D’s new DF2+ 3D printer:
| Construct quantity | 200 × 112 × 300 mm |
| XY decision | 78.5 μm |
| Mild supply | Industrial-grade DLP projector (405 nm) |
| Layer thickness | 0.05 – 0.2 mm |
| Most print velocity | 100 mm/h |
| Launch movie | HTF |
| Auto-feeding station | Included |
| Interface | 10.25-inch full-color touchscreen |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, LAN, and USB |
| Open materials help | Verified third-party resins by way of OMP |
| Submit-processing models | DF Wash and DF Remedy (non-compulsory) |
The brand new DLP resolution is now on the market in Europe each by way of the Raise3D EU on-line store and licensed resellers. The system price (excluding VAT) begins at €3,499 (as much as €5,599 for the total bundle with DF Wash and DF Remedy stations). Raise3D’s earlier system, the DF2 continues to be out there from €2,499.
“The DF2+ represents an necessary step for skilled customers who prioritize precision, materials flexibility and workflow effectivity,” stated Raise3D. “By combining DLP know-how’s benefits, from uniform publicity and quicker layer processing to sharper element, with a streamlined workflow and an open verified supplies ecosystem, we ship an answer addressing the principle ache factors of resin-based additive manufacturing.”
