Millennium series from 3D Systems

Citation

(1998), "Millennium series from 3D Systems", Aircraft Engineering and Aerospace Technology, Vol. 70 No. 4. https://doi.org/10.1108/aeat.1998.12770dab.002

Millennium series from 3D Systems

Millennium series from 3D Systems

Keywords 3D Systems, Software, Stereolithography, Tooling

3D Systems have announced the release of its new SLA-5000, the flagship of an expansion of their range of stereolithography applications (Plate 1). According to 3D the SLA-5000 delivers comprehensive benefits in anticipation of requirements from its current and future user base: greater speed, improved ease of use and lower cost of ownership were key goals in the development process. The results are said to be impressive and the solutions go far beyond industry expectations. The new hardware package includes the highest power solid state ultraviolet laser believed to be available in stereolithography today, providing faster part throughput per hour, 0.05mm layer thickness for many geometries, and significantly lower power consumption.

The SLA-5000's 0.05mm tooling build style reportedly represents 50 per cent improvement in the fine part detail over the standard 0.10mm layer thickness. Key refinements in the SmartSweep and Zephyr recoating system features provide a reduction of up to 20 per cent (depending on the part geometry) in build time by sweeping only the active area of the part build.

Plate 1 3D Systems's new flagship SLA-5000

The introduction of a new CIBATOOL resin SL 5195 offers a faster photospeed and better sidewall quality and rewrites of the Maestro and Buildstation software applications optimize part building speed, part resolution and surface finish. Further features to the overall catalogue of product development include many which claim to contribute to lower ownership costs and ease of installation.

A new compact design means that the SLA-5000 requires only 25 square feet of facility space, nearly half the space of its predecessor the SLA-500. This smaller footprint lowers operating and facilities costs, as well as enabling users to house more SLAs in less space. Service installation requirements are simplified since the SLA-5000 requires a 220v, single phase supply which uses just a sixth of the power of its predecessors. There is no requirement for a water supply because the new model is air cooled, which dramatically reduces both installation costs and disruption whilst increasing flexibility in siting.

Other important features are introduced to enhance operator use and access. These include automatic resin refill and levelling to reduce operation time, increased window visibility, controller access door, a backwards swivel movement of the CRT for easier maintenance and a modular design for faster operation and service.

The SLA-5000 also features the new Windows buildstation software which allows users to specify duplicate builds, preview jobs during the build and display estimated build completion time.

Rich Balanson, president of 3D Systems, summarises the company rationale: "We are driving towards a single goal ­ to meet the greatest number of customer needs in one powerful system. With the SLA-5000, we have integrated all the benefits of earlier generations and added newer technology to push the boundaries on performance. In short, the SLA-5000 is better, faster, simpler and more economical to operate than any other large-frame SLA in history!"

The company reports that it has already installed three of the new systems at customer sites and has an order book of seven SLA-5000's valued at approximately $3.5 million.

The new developments are not restricted to the flagship model. 3D Systems has also introduced the SLA-3500 which together with the SLA-5000 comprises its Millennium Series. The SLA-3500 replaces the SLA-350 and features SmartSweep for increased throughput, the 0.05mm tooling build style for increased part resolution, and the automatic resin refill for convenient operation.

A new SLA-250/50HR (high resolution) benefits from the ultra fine laser beam width producing almost 300 per cent improvement in feature resolution. The high resolution system is said to be ideally suited for producing small electromechanical parts and medical devices. Also included is a 0.0635 build style in Maestro 1.9 which allows the user to achieve finer Z layer thickness.

New software additions include: Maestro 1.9, the latest generation of the widely installed SLA workstation software. Improved functions and ease of use, together with improved support generation and easier post processing deliver valuable benefits to the user. Maestro 1.9 facilitates the 0.05mm tooling build style which is key to the refinement of the SLA-5000, the SLA-3500 and the upgrade now available for the SLA-350. Maestro 1.9 supports both Silicon Graphics and Hewlett-Packard platforms.

Buildstation 4.1 is a further software upgrade which incorporates many of the customer driven features designed to deliver ease of use, reduced processing time and increased laser drawing speeds.

Quickcast 2.0 software focuses on the specific requirements for investment casting and to support conventional foundry practices. Its new "hexagon" build style reduces production time, produces lighter parts, reduces the risk of shell cracking and cuts part finishing time.

SmartSweep upgrades are now available for the SLA-500 and SLA-350. The development costs for this were partially met by the National Centre for Manufacturing Sciences (NCMS) as a part of their ongoing commitment to the development of rapid prototyping technology. The microspot high resolution laser fitted as standard on the SLA-250/50HR is available as an upgrade option for the SLA-250/50. Any SLA-500 system currently in service qualifies for an SLA-5000 trade-in programme.

For further details contact 3D Systems Ltd. Tel: +44 (0) 1442 282666; +44 (0) 1442 282667.