3D Systems‘ Figure 4™ Production and Figure 4 Standalone is now the fastest, most accurate 3D printing technology available, says the company.
Recently released data on Figure 4 Production highlights part print speeds up to 65mm/hr, with prototyping speeds of up to 100 mm/hr.
The Figure 4 platform delivers part accuracy and repeatability, with Six Sigma repeatability (Cpk > 2) across all materials.
The combination of speed and accuracy complemented by a light-based UV curing process that takes minutes versus hours with heat-based curing processes, yields the world’s fastest additive manufacturing throughput and time-to-part, the firm claims.
The company says that Figure 4 enables high-speed digital moulding, a process that complements traditional production methods, providing manufacturers the accuracy, reliability, repeatability and uptime of traditional moulding, producing parts without the costs and time-consuming aspects of tooling.
Digital moulding is completely scalable, and with the high surface quality available on Figure 4, excels at fine part texturing. In comparison to conventional manufacturing, part texturing is essentially free and applicable to any surface no matter the shape.
In addition to supporting long- and short-run batches, high-speed digital moulding allows different parts to be produced in the same batch. This gives manufacturers the ability to quickly iterate a design or manufacture end-use parts without regard to a minimum order quantity.
Figure 4 Production is compatible with 3D Systems’ entire portfolio of NextDent™ resins to facilitate full customization of dental devices, as well as an Orthodontic Tooling resin.
Figure 4 Production customers also have the option of collaborating with 3D Systems’ engineers to create unique resins specifically designed for their application. Custom configuration pricing offers both low Total Cost of Operation (TCO) and low per part cost.
Earlier this year at LMT Lab Day Chicago 2018, 3D Systems unveiled the NextDent™ 5100 – powered by Figure 4 technology – which facilitates high-speed 3D printing of dental devices and fixtures.
General availability for Figure 4 Standalone is planned for Q3 2018.
“3D Systems continues to deliver on its promise to ‘Make 3D Production Real’,” said Vyomesh Joshi, president and chief executive officer, 3D Systems.
“This is only made possible by the decades of accumulated expertise our engineers and scientists bring to the industry. It is through their knowledge and passion that 3D Systems is helping organizations redefine their design, manufacturing and supply chain models.”
For manufacturers needing to produce larger parts with superior durability and finishing, the company is pleased to announce general availability of the ProX® SLS 6100.
The next-generation printing platform enables customers to scale from functional prototyping to low volume functional production parts.
By combining the printer, new materials, software and cloud-based services, this new solution addresses the majority of the plastic prototyping and production needs of the automotive, durable goods, and healthcare industries as well as satisfying specific needs for aerospace interior cabin parts, says the company.
For companies looking for an entry-level industrial 3D printing solution, 3D Systems is announcing late May 2018 planned general availability of theFabPro™ 1000, for low-volume small part prototyping and production.
The FabPro 1000 completed beta testing to very positive reviews. Scott Young, engineering manager, Bastech, Inc. commented, “The FabPro 1000’s speed allowed me to build parts and finish them in the same day, and the surface quality rivals what I’ve seen on more expensive technologies.
“Changing materials was also easy compared to other systems – it is as simple as replacing the print tray and adding a new material.”
