PolyJet Technology
PolyJet Technology is a sophisticated form of 3D Printing technology known for its ability to produce parts with high detail, smooth surfaces, and a wide range of material properties in a single print. Here's an in-depth look at this technology:
Overview
PolyJet technology works by jetting layers of liquid photopolymer onto a build tray where they are instantly cured by UV light. This process allows for the creation of parts with complex geometries, intricate details, and multiple materials or colors within the same build.
History
- Introduction: The technology was developed by Objet Geometries in the late 1990s. Objet Geometries, founded in 1998 in Israel, focused on developing the PolyJet technology from its inception.
- Acquisition: In 2012, Stratasys acquired Objet Geometries, combining their expertise in FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) with Objet's PolyJet technology. This merger has led to further advancements in both technologies.
- Development: Over the years, the technology has seen significant improvements in terms of material diversity, accuracy, and speed of printing.
Key Features
- High Resolution: PolyJet printing can achieve resolutions as fine as 16-micron layers, enabling the production of parts with extremely smooth surfaces.
- Material Versatility: It supports a variety of materials, including rigid, flexible, transparent, and even biocompatible materials. Some printers can also print with over 360,000 colors.
- Digital Material: This technology can blend different materials within a single print, creating digital materials with customizable properties like flexibility, transparency, and color.
- Support Structures: PolyJet uses a gel-like support material that can be easily removed, reducing post-processing time.
Applications
- Prototyping: Ideal for creating prototypes that need to mimic final product aesthetics and mechanical properties.
- Medical Models: Due to its ability to create transparent and flexible parts, PolyJet is used for medical models, prosthetics, and surgical planning tools.
- Consumer Goods: For design verification, product testing, and short-run production of items like toys or jewelry.
- Tooling: Creating molds, jigs, and fixtures with complex geometries that would be difficult or costly to produce with traditional methods.
Advantages
- Excellent surface finish and accuracy.
- Ability to produce multi-material and multi-color parts.
- Fast printing speed for detailed models.
Limitations
- Higher cost per part compared to other 3D printing technologies like FDM.
- The photopolymers used can be brittle and might not be suitable for functional parts requiring high strength or heat resistance.
- Support material removal can be labor-intensive for complex parts.
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