Processes
Discover the 3D printing processes that Han3D offers for your business
SLA is the abbreviation of Stereolithography Apparatus, or simply stereolithography. Like FDM, SLA is an additive method: models are built layer by layer. SLA, however, uses a curable photopolymer - typically a liquid resin - that is hardened by applying focused light or UV light (this process is called curing). SLA printers generally build models top down, the build platform lifts the model up out of the resin bath.
The light source is either a laser or a digital projector (the technology is often referred to as DLP - Digital Light Processing). Lasers draw the layers; in DLP, an entire slice (a two-dimensional layer) of the model is projected into the resin bath at once. Laser SLA printers are generally slower than DLP models due to the small surface area of the laser beam. On DLP printers, each layer hardens faster as the entire image of a layer is projected onto the resin. Additionally, DLP projectors are more reliable and easier to maintain than custom laser systems because the projectors use the same technology as home and business theater projectors. Printed models need to go through a post-processing process.
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SLA
FDM
FDM (Fused Deposition Modeling) or FFF (Fused Filament Fabrication), is an additive manufacturing process that belongs to the extrusion family of materials. In FDM, an object is constructed by selectively depositing molten material in a predetermined path layer by layer. The materials used are thermoplastic polymers and come in the form of a filament.
FDM is the most widely used 3D printing technology: it represents the largest installed base of 3D printers worldwide and is often the first technology that people are exposed to Han 3D offers printing of materials such as PLA, ABS, TPU, PVA , PA, PC, WOOD, COMBO, PC Alloys, Carbon Fiber - Filled, Metal Filled, Fiberglass Filled, ASA, PETG, ESD-Safe, HIPS, Nylon and others), also High Performance Polymers such as (PEEK, PEKK, ULTEM , PPSU, PA/CF among others).
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PEEK
PEEK - is a polymer that belongs to the polyaryl-keterketone family. It has excellent resistance to heat and chemicals; in fact, its maximum temperature resistance is 260 degrees Celsius. Although this material is expensive, its versatility is certainly worth the investment as it does not corrode and is easy to shape. We recommend this material for low volume production. The aerospace, automotive, oil, gas and medical industries often use items that are manufactured from PEEK. The medical industry in particular uses PEEK because it has low moisture absorption and because it has extreme strength and similarity to the density of human bone structure. In the automotive sector, due to its lightness, it is replacing various active metal or aluminum components used in transmission, braking and air conditioning systems including also piston units, seals, washers or bearings, which results in a significant reduction in weight and in the noise.
The use of PEEK-based parts in the aerospace industry is ranging from external parts, due to its excellent resistance to erosion from rain. As well as indoor use, reducing the risk in case of fire, due to low emission of smoke and toxic gases and inherit flame retardancy.
In the electrical sector, PEEK's excellent electrical properties make it an ideal electrical insulator. With excellent thermal properties, PEEK polymer parts are able to withstand high temperatures where conventional insulators may already be burning. That and PEEK's long-term operating reliability, as well as temperature, pressure, and frequency durability,
allow it to be used in connector pins of subsea environment control equipment or high pressure water pumps.
Additionally, PEEK is being used on mobile devices. The quest for thinner, lighter and smarter mobile devices has led to PEEK-based components creating material, for example, thin membranes for speakers or headphones. Also in the medical field, PEEK provides innovative low-cost parts with excellent wear, heat, electrical and chemical resistance. Its application in the health area consists mainly of dental instruments, endoscopes, dialyzers and mainly for orthopedics.
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