By joining hands with adhesives manufacturer DELO, automation company Infotech has developed a new multi-material desktop jetting 3D printer capable of fabricating multi-material parts.
This new machine is based on Infotech’s IP-500 desktop Dispenser is characterized by its unique multi-head system. These dispensers are compatible with DELOs UV-Curable epoxy resins.
Both companies have stated their new system is intended to prototype and small-series production purposes.
Tri-Material 3D Printing
Infotech’s system carries three different dispensing valves, helping to enable tri-material 3D printing. Users using this system can choose between plethora of established valve types developed by either of partners, including time pressure valves and screw dispensers.
Each head of the valves is operable with siblings; users will be able to combines different resins within single layer.
Compared to other resin-based material jetting 3D printer, the infotech system relies on UV light for curing the dispensed liquid material. This is done via UV lamp housed in own separate print head, following the toolpath of the last active dispensing head.
Function graded part production
To unlock the potential of functionally graded parts, there is a requirement of materials, and this is where DELOs epoxy resin comes to the role. DELO is known for manufacturing materials including transparency, conductivity, and flexibility. Every resin created by DELO are high temperature and media resistant. Furthermore, their printing materials carry similar chemical properties and can be matched suiting the needs of users.
Fully Automatic System for Integration
One of the unique feature is the entire dispensing and curing process is fully automatic. Cleaning is carries out as required, depending on the certain number of cycles or after a defined period.
Recently, researchers from Martin Luther University Halle- Wittenberg (MLU) developed new hybrid additive manufacturing process combining both extrusion and inkjet-based 3D printing.
Similarly, at Yokahama National University, researchers recently developed a new 3D printing method, which can fabricate multicolour microstructure using different materials.
