Which 3D printing technologies can you choose from?

Binder Jetting (BJ)

In binder jetting, materials such as metal, ceramic or sand are bonded in layers using a binder. The following aspects must be taken into account:

Properties:

  • Minimum wall thickness: 5 mm
  • Lettering and surface details: at least 1 mm
  • Minimum diameter for drill holes: 3 mm
  • Complete powder removal not guaranteed for very small bores, long channels and small cavities
  • Components are aligned to optimize installation space
  • For special requirements please make an individual request

Tolerance:

  • +/- 0.5%, at least +/- 0.7 mm (ISO 2768-m)

Digital Light Processing (DLP)

In the DLP process, liquid synthetic resins (photopolymers) are cured layer by layer using a projector. The projector projects an image of the layer to be cured onto the resin.

Properties:

  • Minimum wall thickness: 1 mm
  • Lettering and surface details: at least 0.5 mm
  • Minimum diameter for drill holes: 1 mm
  • No closed cavities, otherwise the resin cannot drain off
  • Overhangs require support structures, the removal of which can affect the surface
  • Components are aligned to optimize installation space
  • For special requirements please make an individual request

Tolerance:

  • +/- 0.2%, at least +/- 0.2 mm

Fused Deposition Modeling (FDM)

In the FDM process, wire-shaped plastic is melted through a nozzle and applied in layers.

Properties:

  • Material color can be reworked
  • Minimum wall thickness: 1.2 mm
  • Lettering and surface details: at least 0.8 mm
  • Minimum diameter for drill holes: 2 mm
  • Parts are printed with a filling geometry of 15-20% and a wall thickness of 0.8 mm
  • Overhangs require support structures, the removal of which can affect the surface
  • Components are aligned to optimize installation space
  • For special requirements please make an individual request

Tolerance:

  • +/- 0.3%, at least +/- 0.3 mm

Liquid Crystal Display (LCD)

LCD technology is similar to DLP technology, but uses an LCD to mask the UV light emitted by an LED array.

Properties:

  • Minimum wall thickness: 1 mm
  • Lettering and surface details: at least 0.5 mm
  • Minimum diameter for drill holes: 1 mm
  • No closed cavities, otherwise the resin cannot drain off
  • Overhangs require support structures, the removal of which can affect the surface
  • Components are aligned to optimize installation space
  • For special requirements please make an individual request

Tolerance:

  • +/- 0.2%, at least +/- 0.1 mm

Multi Jet Fusion (MJF)

In the MJF process, binder fluid is printed onto a powder bed using a print head. The thermally conductive liquid binds the plastic powder locally.

Properties:

  • Minimum wall thickness: 1 mm
  • Lettering and surface details: at least 0.5 mm
  • Minimum diameter for drill holes: 3 mm
  • Complete powder removal not guaranteed for very small bores, long channels and small cavities
  • With closed cavities, the powder remains in the component
  • Components are aligned to optimize installation space
  • For special requirements please make an individual request

Tolerance:

  • +/- 0.3%, at least +/- 0.2 mm

MultiJet Modeling (MJM)

In the MJM process, liquid plastics are applied in layers using several nozzles and hardened using UV light. Overhangs require wax support structures.

Properties:

  • Very high accuracy and resolution
  • Very smooth surfaces
  • Wide range of material properties possible

Selective Absorption Fusion (SAF)

SAF technology uses infrared-sensitive HAF (High Absorbing Fluid) to fuse polymer powder layer by layer.

Properties:

  • Minimum wall thickness: 1 mm
  • Lettering and surface details: at least 0.5 mm
  • Minimum diameter for drill holes: 3 mm
  • Complete powder removal not guaranteed for very small bores, long channels and small cavities
  • With closed cavities, the powder remains in the component
  • Components are aligned to optimize installation space
  • For special requirements please make an individual request

Tolerance:

  • DIN ISO2768-1m

Selective laser melting (SLM)

In the SLM process, fine metal powder is melted layer by layer using a laser.

Properties:

  • Minimum wall thickness: 1 mm
  • Lettering and surface details: at least 0.5 mm
  • Minimum diameter for drill holes: 2 mm
  • Complete powder removal not guaranteed for very small bores, long channels and small cavities
  • Overhangs require support structures, the removal of which can affect the surface
  • Components are aligned to optimize installation space
  • For special requirements please make an individual request

Tolerance:

  • DIN ISO2768-1m

Selective laser sintering (SLS)

In the SLS process, plastic powder is melted layer by layer with the help of a laser.

Properties:

  • Minimum wall thickness: 1 mm
  • Lettering and surface details: at least 0.5 mm
  • Minimum diameter for drill holes: 3 mm
  • Complete powder removal not guaranteed for very small bores, long channels and small cavities
  • With closed cavities, the powder remains in the component
  • Components are aligned to optimize installation space
  • For special requirements please make an individual request

Tolerance:

  • +/- 0.3%, at least +/- 0.2 mm (DIN 16742-TG6)

Stereolithography (SLA)

In the SLA process, liquid, UV-curing synthetic resins (photopolymers) are selectively cured by a laser.

Properties:

  • Minimum wall thickness: 1 mm
  • Lettering and surface details: at least 0.5 mm
  • Minimum diameter for drill holes: 1 mm
  • No closed cavities, otherwise the resin cannot drain off
  • Overhangs require support structures, the removal of which can affect the surface
  • For special requirements please make an individual request

Tolerance:

  • +/- 0.2%, at least +/- 0.2 mm

Vacuum casting

In vacuum casting, a previously produced master model (e.g. by 3D printing or stereolithography) is duplicated in a silicone rubber mold.

Properties:

  • Production of small & prototype series
  • Wide range of materials for various applications
  • Cost-efficient for large quantities

 

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