How much does 3D Printing cost?

The cost associated with 3D Printing depends on the file because it’s based on material consumption and machine run time. Depending on the size of the file, it will determine the amount of materials that are consumed and it gets priced accordingly.

 

How many 3D Printing processes do you offer at Structured 3D? Can you help my business find the right one?

Absolutely. We offer multiple 3D Printing processes. Dependent on the CAD file and your needs, we also take into consideration your budget (each process uses a different technique to build and is priced accordingly). Whether, high heat tolerance, accuracy or flexibility, we can help tailor a solution for you.

 

How detailed are 3D Prints?

28 Micron layers (16-Micron, high resolution print layer accuracy).

 

How do Objet’s 3D Printers print multiple materials at the same time?

If you’re looking to print multiple materials, that is not a problem. Our state-of-the-art machines can handle the job. It uses a patented technology where it takes the different materials that are loaded in the system and it actually fuses them at a molecular level using a matrix. All of the materials are acrylic-based and are all on the same foundation, which allows us to fuse the materials, regardless of their rigidity or elastomeric properties to create multiple shore strengths or to even use the parent materials as a multiple material build.

 

How does the strength of the resin, that Objet 3D Printers use, compare to powder, which other 3D Printers use?

The 3D Processes that use powder are considerably more fragile than the resins. The fact of the matter is that powder, by its very nature, aligns itself randomly wherever there is space, which means there is also a lot of air. This means there aren’t many points of contact, so you won’t get a very homogenous part or a smooth surface finish. When you apply a binder to a powder, it also changes the dimensions, which could result in a lot of issues.
Only PolyJet printers by Objet use UV light to cure the material(s) several layers deep, so you’re getting full homogeneity between the part(s) and between the layers.

 

What materials can you simulate?

We can simulate ABS, polypropylene, polyethylene, as well as elastomeric (rubber and silicone) products. With digital mixing, which is exclusive to the Objet Connex builds, you can now take those two rigid materials (rubber and silicone) or the rigid material and the elastomeric material(s) and mix them to create custom shores (materials). We can also print clear materials and high temperature-resistant materials.

 

What kind of resolution and accuracy is possible with Objet’s 3D Printers?

Objet has the most accurate (3D Printing) systems on the market. Typically, with other technologies, you’re looking at 0.010” – 0.013” layers or even 0.004” – 0.006”. Our printers print at 0.001” layers, so we are already four times more accurate than anything else on the market. The only other 3D Printing systems that are more accurate are the high quality systems from Objet (Connex family) which can print layers half that size.

 

What are the dimensions of the print trays and build envelopes? How big can my 3D Prototype be?

Anywhere from a 10”x8”x6” build tray all the way up to 20”x16”x8” build tray. The build tray lowers as it prints to give you that third dimension. We have printed an entire car dashboard, just in pieces. It requires some assembly, but any sized 3D Model or Prototype can be printed.

 

What kind of 3D Post Processing is involved?

Typically, the 3D resulting parts don’t require much, if any, post processing because of the high resolution – there is no sanding, polishing, finishing or curing required. The parts are fully paintable upon completion.