Fascinating new 3D printing technology makes much stronger plastic parts vs old 3D technology

[astro]

I looked at this companysince it was reported they just received 70 million in investment funding. The process is a huge improvement over current 3D technology as it can make non-brittle high strength parts vs the current tech which generally makes precisely molded parts but they are often weak and brittle.

It is somewhat expensive at this stage of the technology but it looks to be a game changer for 3D printing.

Introducing M1

The M1 is a powerful new tool for design and manufacturing. For the first time, it’s possible to 3D print isotropic parts with mechanical properties and surface finish like injection-molded plastics. No other additive technology delivers the synthesis of fit, form, and function needed to bridge the gap between prototyping and manufacturing.

Motley Fool

Start-up Carbon, previously known as Carbon3D, commercially launched its much anticipated first 3D printer, the M1, on April 1. The printer targeted at enterprise customers is powered by the company’s potentially game-changing Continuous Liquid Interface Production (CLIP) 3D-printing technology, which has been demonstrated to be super-speedy and can reportedly produce production-quality polymer parts.

One of the most unique things about this launch is that the M1 will be available to customers via a subscription-pricing model – a 3D printing industry first. After giving some background, I’ll talk about why this pricing model is a brilliant move that could help Carbon capture business in an environment where the industry’s largest players, 3D

[ratatoskK]

I have a bottle opener that is 3-D printed of metal, but it uses metal powder. The process is described here.

[Nefario]

I saw this a few months ago and this is one of the few really new ideas in rapid prototyping I’ve seen in the last 10 years. With a little reading I found that their technique has been know for a while but this company has put it into a slick package - TOO slick in my opinion and aimed at the “makers” and hobbyists. It’s printing envelope is relatively small.

Their innovation is developing a practical bottom-window tank where parts are printed from the bottom surface and pulled up out of the liquid resin. This method usually means the part does not require support structure. It also means that parts -could- be pulled up in very small increments (meaning -very- slowly) and more/less eliminating stair stepping that’s characteristic of most 3-D processes. It also looks like the parts will still need to post-cured in a UV chamber because they will come out dripping with unhardened liquid resin.

I also can’t believe that their resins are unique to this process. Photo-reactive resin formulation is an industry by itself and anything that’s equivalent to molded plastic would be sold on it’s own. The M1 process still uses a laser to solidify resin - like several other manufactures do. I’m sure they have sourced resins that may be optimized for their process but new formulations? Doubt it.

But this a pretty cool new tool with good potential.

[Melbourne]

@astro

I looked at this companysince it was reported they just received 70 million in investment funding. The process is a huge improvement over current 3D technology as it can make non-brittle high strength parts vs the current tech which generally makes precisely molded parts but they are often weak and brittle.

It is somewhat expensive at this stage of the technology but it looks to be a game changer for 3D printing.

“Current tech” is already lots of different technologies at different price points. New technology doesn’t change the game.