Polyjet Printers in Cedar Rapids IA | PolyJet Printing services
What is PolyJet Printing?
PolyJet printers utilize jets that expel a fast-curing, liquid polymer onto a tray to build prints with exceptionally smooth surface quality. While the unique curing and hardening method of PolyJet printing makes these final prints less than ideal for environments with high heat, or long exposure to UV light, there are many reasons why this is still widely considered one of the best 3D printing methods. PolyJet printing has numerous uses, but is frequently used by dentists and doctors to create high-quality models or prints that they can use for medical applications. If you want to find out more about PolyJet Printers in Cedar Rapids IA, reach out to AdvancedTek today!
Resolution
One of the reasons PolyJet excels as a 3D printer is because of it’s impressive printing resolution. This makes it an ideal choice for those looking for a highly detailed print. This is just one of many reasons why medical and dental professionals use PolyJet printers to assist in their work.
Accuracy
In industries where accuracy and precision is important, PolyJet printing is an excellent method to use. PolyJet printers are some of the most accurate 3D printers in the world, and have a tolerance of about ± 0.1 mm, meaning you can rely on these printers for consistently high-quality results time and time again. If you need to use a printer that won’t compromise repeatability in exchange for accuracy, PolyJet printers are an excellent choice.
Surface Finish
Perhaps the most well-known benefit of PolyJet printing is its remarkably smooth surface finish. These printers are capable of printing with either a matte or glossy finish, however- glossy finishes are only available in sections of the print that do not have support structures underneath them, as after these supports are removed the underlying material will not automatically have the glossy surface quality as the rest of the print. With the high quality of finish and detail present in PolyJet printing, you can also expect to have minimally visible layer lines and a print with the appearance of a single piece of material. This is particularly useful for consumer products, where people expect their items to have a high level of detail and a smooth finish.
Complexity
Even in cases where there are overhangs as part of your print, PolyJet printers can accommodate these features using a gel-like material that is easily removed after print completion. Beyond that, PolyJet printers are capable of producing finished prints with incredibly complex and intricate designs- and not just at surface level. The printers can also produce internal features that are just as detailed as the outer layer. This is particularly useful in the creation of medical products, where a high level of detail is required not only on the outside surface but also inside.
Ease of Use
As the years go by, PolyJet printers only get easier to use. These systems are designed with consumers in mind, and can easily translate your CAD files into 3-dimensional products. The Stratasys PolyJet printers available through AdvancedTek are known for releasing reliable software updates based on consumer feedback, meaning your printer will only become easier to use as time goes on. When every second counts during the design and manufacturing process, having a 3D printing system that is easy to use is critical. This is especially true if you are creating prototypes or other one-off products and need to be able to quickly iterate over different designs. For medical and dental professionals, having models or tools they can use at a moments notice can be critical to the health of their patients. For industrial designers, having a 3D printer that can quickly produce prototypes and models is essential in ensuring that products are properly designed before being sent to production.
Pros of PolyJet Printing
There are many benefits to PolyJet printers, from a high level of accuracy to smooth surface finish, these systems are truly capable of remarkable detail. Not only that, but these 3D printers are capable of producing prints in multiple materials and/or colors at a time, meaning dental and medical professionals can create incredibly accurate models without having to send their prints through multiple times. In addition, these systems have a relatively fast printing speed (for smaller parts), which is excellent for prototypes and models.
Cons of PolyJet Printing
There are unfortunately a few drawbacks to PolyJet printing, the major one being that these components will be heat sensitive and can melt after long exposure to UV light. In addition, these systems tend to be expensive, but this high price tag isn’t for nothing. For an industrial-grad 3D printer, this system is capable of much more than your average FDM printer.
If you’re interested in a company with over 25 years in the business, AdvancedTek can help you achieve anything from Concept Modeling, Functional Prototypes, Manufacturing Tooling, End-User Parts, 3D printers, Post Processing, to Vacuum Forming, and more! We can even help you speed along your prototyping process with our 3D printing service. You can find out more about us by checking out our website here. If you want to find out more about PolyJet Printers in Cedar Rapids IA, reach out to AdvancedTek today!