Form 1+/English
Name of device: Form 1+
Responsible for device: Kiran Jacob
Location: B301, R212
Short Description
High-resolution 3D-printer Stereolithography is used in order to print out structural elements that were designed digitally. Needed supporting structures are automatically added by the software during the design process. Data transmission is carried out via USB. The printer builds the component out of up to 25µm thin layers of resin. This way structures with a minimal thickness of 300µm (e.g. wall thickness) can be created. The total dimensions of the component mustn’t exceed 125 x 125 x 165mm, lager elements have to be put together out of smaller segments.
Stereolithography
For stereolithographic processes photopolymeric starting substances, synthetic resins, are used that are kept in a tank belonging to the printer. A laser moves with high precision (step width < 10µm) over a layer of resin and the light causes the resin to solidify due to polymerization processes that are initiated by the laser’s light. Using this technique functional components can be produced that might be hard or impossible to create using the widely spread method of fused filament fabrication (plastic extrusion).
Resins
List of resins that can be used and polymer after reaction:
- Clear Resin - transparent (Formlabs)
- Tough Resin - blue (Formlabs)
- Flexible Resin - transparent (Formlabs)
- MS - blue (Madesolid)
- Vorex - black (Modesolid)
- SubSF - red (Makerjuice)
Limitations
Minimum thickness of structures: 300µm Maximum dimensions of component: 125 x 125 x 165mm After using ca. 2L of resin the tank has to be replaced due to abrasion. If you want to use another resin you have to use another tank as well as two different resins must not be mixed in order to guarantee a correct printing process.
Producer’s Website
http://formlabs.com/products/3d-printers/form-1-plus/
