3D-printers

The Center for Additive Technologies uses modern equipment and technologies to implement various projects.

Our equipment includes printers for 3D printing using plastic, metal, photopolymer composition, polymer powders. Also, we use different types of 3D printing: FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling), FFF (Fused Filament Fabrication), SLM (Selective Laser Melting), DMP (Direct Metal Printing), DLP (Digital Light Processing), SLS (Selective Laser Sintering) … The use of a wide range of materials and printing methods allows you to create products of various shapes, high strength, with various physical and chemical properties while combining high accuracy and printing speed.

Original facilities

PµSL printer

This 3d printer works using the digital light processing (DLP) method and has the following characteristics:

  • installation resolution (minimum voxel size) – 6 microns;
  • achievable print volume 100x100x100 mm;
  • minimum layer thickness – 3 microns;
  • range of movement of the projector along the X-Y axes 100×100 mm;
  • range of movement of the construction platform along the Z-axis 100 mm;

One can use this printer to print micro-optics, nanophotonics, microfluidics, filtering devices, and complex cellular structures.

2PP printer

To print objects using this 3D printer, layer-by-layer curing of a photopolymer based on the effect of two-photon absorption is used. This printer allows you to print through already printed resin, creating complex overhanging and self-intersecting structures without support.

  • installation resolution (minimum voxel size) – 100 nm;
  • achievable print volume 200x200x200 microns;
  • minimum layer thickness – 100 nm;
  • the accuracy of the movement of the laser waist is 5 nm;
  • range of movement of the construction platform along the X-Y axes 2×2 mm;

One can use this printer for printing integrated optics elements (printing waveguides, interferometers, devices for generating radiation); X-ray optics; elements of microfluidics, biomimetics, micromechanics, etc.

3Dsystems ProX DMP 300

SLM-printer

3Dsystems DMP ProX 300 is an industrial printer for the manufacture of products from metals and ceramics. The volume of printing products is 25x25x30 cm. The thickness of one layer can vary from 10 microns to 50 microns. The printer supports printing with materials such as cobalt-chromium, tantalum, stainless and martensitic steel, aluminum alloys, bronze, etc.

Technology

Selective Laser Melting is a technology for producing complex products by laser melting of metal powder using mathematical CAD models. With the help of SLM, they create both precise metal parts for work as a part of assemblies and assemblies and complex non-separable structures.

Work principles

The build area is filled with an inert gas (e.g., argon) to minimize oxidation of the metal powder and is heated to the optimum assembly temperature. A thin layer of metal powder is spread over the build platform, after which the laser scans the cross-section of the component, fusing the metal particles. When the scanning process is complete, the construction platform is moved down a layer thickness to reapply the powder. The process is repeated until the entire part is complete.

We use this printer for

  • development of devices that traditional technologies cannot manufacture
  • rapid prototyping of complex, high-precision metal products
  • development of new materials for printing

 

Autodesk Ember

DLP-printer

Autodesk Ember is an open-source 3D printer and device developed by Autodesk for research purposes. The printer uses digital light processing (DLP) technology. The minimum layer thickness is 10 microns. Pixel size 50 μm. Print volume 64 x 40 x 134 mm.

Technology

Digital Light Processing (DLP) is one of the stereolithographic 3D printing methods. This method is based on the use of photopolymer resins that harden when irradiated with ultraviolet light. Unlike SLA printers, which scan the surface of a material, DLP printers project an image of a whole layer until the polymer resin hardens, after which a new layer of material is applied, and the process repeats.

The undoubted advantages of this method are high printing accuracy with a minimum layer thickness, and a wide range of materials used from hard plastics to rubber, low cost of consumables.

Work principles

The build platform is placed in a reservoir with a liquid photopolymer at a distance of one layer from the surface of the liquid. An image is fed to the layer through an optically transparent window from a UV projector, causing the photopolymer resin to harden selectively. When the layer is finished, the platform is raised by the layer thickness, and the process is repeated until the product is finished.

We use this printer for

  • rapid prototyping
  • development of new materials for printing
  • development of complex, high-precision products in many areas: optics, gas dynamics, engineering, etc.

 

Ultimaker 2 extended

FDM-printer

Ultimaker 2 is one of the best desktop 3D printers. The Ultimaker 2 Extended version features an increased Z-stroke height of up to 305mm.

The printed layer can be as low as 20 microns. The printing platform heats up to 100 ˚C in 4 minutes, which prevents warping of the lower layers due to temperature differences (depending on the material, the nozzle heats up from 180 to 280 ˚C).

Supported materials: Nylon, PLA, ABS, CPE, CPE +, PVA, PC, TPU 95A, PP. It is possible to use commercial filled thermopolymers (for example, containing ceramics, metals, magnetic particles, etc.) and our own development.

Technology

Fused Deposition Modeling is one of the first 3D printing technologies that involves the layering of molten thermopolymer. This technology is widely used in 3D modeling and prototyping, as well as in industrial production. The technology has become widespread due to the simplicity, safety, and low cost of printing.

Work principles

FDM creates parts from a thermoplastic material that is shaped like a thread. The filament is pushed through a heated nozzle where it melts. The printer continuously moves the nozzle, placing the molten material along a predetermined path, creating the part layer by layer.

We use this printer for

  • rapid prototyping of objects that will subsequently be printed on other more complex printers,
  • printing small parts for laboratory needs (non-standard holders, fasteners, etc.),
  • new materials development (e.g. bioresorbable, magnetic, or conductive)

Sinterit Lisa Pro

SLS-printer

Sinterit Lisa Pro is a selective laser sintering (SLS) 3D printer. This printer has a relatively large build volume and a built-in nitrogen chamber for printing with engineering plastics. The SLS printer is capable of producing high-precision and complex parts without the need for supports.

The printing accuracy in XY and Z is 50 and 75 microns, respectively. The minimum free-standing wall thickness is 0.4 mm.

Technology

Selective Laser Sintering. SLS technology uses a low-power laser to sinter polymer powder. The undoubted advantage of this method is the lack of support, which allows you to print extremely complex structures that are inaccessible for printing by other methods.

Work principles

The powder hopper and build area are first heated to just below the polymer’s melting point, and the recoating blade spreads a thin layer of powder over the build platform. The laser then scans the cross-section of the product within the layer and selectively sinters the particles of the polymer powder. When the layer is ready, the build platform is moved down by layer thickness and the blade recoats the surface. The process is repeated until the entire part is complete.

We are using this printer for

  • rapid prototyping
  • creating complex, high-precision products
  • development of new materials for printing