Micro 3D printing technology innovator Nanofabrica released information recently about produced parts that illustrate the precision and tolerances achievable through the use of its Tera 250 AM system.
Existing at the interface of 3D printing for production and the industry-wide drive towards miniaturization, Nanofabrica’s industrial micro 3D printing technology helps designers and manufacturers exploit the technology to build complex parts in small, medium, and high volumes.
The technology is based around a Digital Light Processor (DLP) engine, but to achieve repeatable micron levels of resolution it combines DLP with the use of adaptive optics. This tool in conjunction with an array of sensors, allows for a closed feedback loop, which contributes to the system’s accuracy. In addition, through rigorous R&D, Nanofabrica has managed to develop its own proprietary materials (based on the most commonly used industry polymers), which enable high resolution in parts built.
Impeller
The first part is an industrial impeller which is used to increase the pressure and flow rate of a fluid measuring X 5.66 mm, Y 5.66 mm, and Z 2.87 mm. The advantage of using the Tera 250 machine is that short-series runs can be undertaken economically, and the technology handles geometric complexity inherent in the micro part design. The impeller is manufactured for use in industrial MEMS and micromechanical mechanisms. Additive manufacturing makes it easy to customize and produced quickly and economically without the necessity for complex, costly, and difficult to amend micro tooling.
The part is characterized by complex curves and super sharp edges that would be difficult and costly to produce using conventional molding technologies. Using the Tera 250, product development costs and production time is reduced, and the 50 mm x 50 mm x 100 mm build chamber can produce a number of custom parts simultaneously.
Fiber optic adapter
The next part is a fiber optic adapter with complicated internal curved cavities/canals for feeding optical fibers. With the Tera 250, these precise parts can be produced to exacting tolerances. The channels in the adapter need to accurately accommodate 250-micron fiber optics, and the overall part dimensions are X 9.0 mm, Y 6.0 mm, and Z 6.0 mm.
Avi Cohen, EVP Global Sales at Nanofabrica comments, “We are delighted to be able to release details of some of the successes we have had using our 3D printing technology.”
Nanofabrica
www.nano-fabrica.com
