There is no doubt that 3D printing will be a technology to be even further developed and implemented in the future although it has been already be used in industrial application for years.
A 3D printer can be used to replicate any figure of any size with high accuracy. There are mainly four printing methods: fused deposition modelling (FDM), stereolithography (SLA), carbon CLIP technology (CLIP stands for continuous liquid interface production), and selective laser sintering (SLS). Depending on the type of compound used, the type of drying or curing will be different. From the mentioned techniques, the SLA and CLIP are the ones where photosensitive resins are employed. Generally, lasers or UV LED lamps are used. Lasers can be used for all materials, while UV LED lamps are applied for resins, gels and special polymers.
UV LED curing technology is a perfect fit for 3D printing and additive manufacturing due to the compact size, ease of integration, and high intensity output achieved through optimized thermal management of the LEDs. UV LED technology allows users to cure heat-sensitive materials offering new revenue opportunities for printers. The reliability of LED equipment greatly benefits the rapidly expanding 3D printing industry by providing stable curing for extending printing cycles, increasing print accuracy.
The small form factor of UV LED technology enables smaller printing machines as well as the ability to print with a larger range of materials. This is due to the reduced heat generated by LEDs versus traditional UV curing sources. During the process of 3D printing, each layer must be cooled and cured immediately after it is jetted. UV LED curing technology offers advanced capability and can be used for the UV 3D printing of jewelry, footwear, prototypes, automotive parts, and many other applications.
Post time: Dec-29-2022