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Wrights 3D Printing - SolLab 370
INTRODUCTION
Over the past few years, Digital Light Processing (DLP) turned out to be the best 3D printing method when it comes to digital dental technology due to its precise and - compared to the SLA method - very fast printing results. These impressive advantages of DLP technology are based on the fact that instead of a laser (SLA method); a DLP projector is used to cure the resin. Therefore, the projector is the heart of the DLP 3D printer and its resolution determines the accuracy of the results and the size of the building area. A smaller pixel size usually means higher accuracy, but smaller building area. However, especially for bigger dental laboratories, both factors are crucial. MOVING DLP TECHNOLOGY WITH FULL HD PROJECTOR The new SolLab 370 from W2P Engineering has been designed as a unique solution for the laboratory sector. The desktop device offers both, a high precision, and a large building area. This 3D printer integrates the full HD projector (1080p) into the existing moving DLP technology and achieves the best possible results by moving the full HD projector in the printer and thereby triple exposing the building area.
EFFICIENT MATERIAL VAT SYSTEM Besides the projector, the material vat also plays a significant role in the printing process. The transparent material vat contains the photosensitive resin which is being cured layer upon layer by the light from the projector positioned below the vat.
Due to the large building area, the SolLab 370 requires an extremely stable vat, yet the peel-off forces must be kept as low as possible to avoid the breakage of the delicate layers when being pulled off the vat.
The PowerVat meets these requirements perfectly since it combines rigidity with a certain flexibility. The rigidity is guaranteed by a glass plate with an aluminum frame and the anti-sticking film on top of the glass bottom provides the flexibility. The film yields slightly when the layers are being peeled off which ensures smooth separation. Although functionality and the reliability of a stable printing process were the top priorities in the development of the PowerVat, at the same time there was a strive for an increase in efficiency. As an ideal solution considering all these aspects, firstly the extremely durable aluminum frame with glass plate was chosen to avoid waste, and secondly the running costs are kept on a minimum, as only the film must be replaced after approx. 300 print jobs. In only one print job, no less than 12 models with 100μ can be produced within 30 to 40 minutes in horizontal position.
Print file preparation is performed on Pyramis from CIMSystems or NetFabb.
In the first step of the 3D printing process, the .stl file is imported to a slicing software which is used for preparing the print job. The models are placed horizontally on the virtual build platform, so 12 pieces can be produced in one printing process. (Duration: approx. 5 min.) The exported job file is then sent to the printer via the network, enabling the printing process to be started. In this specific case, the 12 models are finished in 35 min. printing time. After the models have been removed from the build platform, they are cleaned and exposed in a UV post-curing unit to ensure that the material is fully cured. The entire digital workflow is thus completed in just one hour. The models can further be used for the fabrication of aligners.
CONCLUSION Particularly in the laboratory sector, where a high output has to be produced in a short period, the SolLab 370 can support operations and massively increase productivity. The large building area also simplifies the preparation of the print job to a certain extent, as there is no need to add support structures, which in turn speeds up post-processing.
Digital production processes facilitate the manufacturing of various models, splints, temporary crowns and bridges, individual impression trays, drilling templates, cast models in the dental sector, and will become more and more important in the near future.
SUMMARY In practice, 3D printing using DLP technology has become widely used in the dental field. The challenge has been to design a 3D printer in a way that the largest possible build area is available while ensuring high resolution for precise printing results. The innovative SolLab 3D printer addresses these needs and ensures a reduction in running costs by reducing wear parts through an efficient material vat system.
TECHNICAL SPECIFICATION: • SolLab 370 • Building Area: 134 x 226 x 200 mm • Pixel Size: 70 microns • 6.2 Megapixel (Exposure Area) • Unit Size: 480 x 425 x 800 / Weight: 25 kg • Full HD Projector • Wavelength: 385 nm • Open system • Moving DLP Technology • Optional: temperature-controlled vat system (ThermoVat) - heated tray up to 50C
All systems are developed and manufactured in Austria by Way2Production Engineering.
The SolFlex & SolLab Systems are available through Wrights the Dental Supply Company.
Use Case: 3D printing of models for thermoforming aligners with the SolLab 370
For more information, please contact: David Hermann, Digital Technical Specialist. Kingsway West, Dundee, DD2 3QD. Tel: 0800 668 899 Email: d.hermann@wright-cottrell.co.uk Mob: 0753 914 6890
