3D Printing

Increase your workflow with 3D Printing

Chose between a range of processes such as FDM (polymer extrusion), SLA (UV curing resin) and SLS (powder fusing). Create quick prototypes or manufacture end-use parts inhouse. Explore our range of 3D Printer technologies we offer to find the best solution for you.

FDM SLA

DLP SLS

Circuits

How Can 3D Printing Help You

Quicker Product Iteration

Adopting 3D printing in the product development stages allows for more rigorous testing, better exploration of ergonomics and shorter lead times to market.

Gain an advantage over your competitors with 3D printing

Increase Output

3D printing can be a vital tool for aiding mass production, you can create high resolution tooling without having to wait on suppliers, make wax moulds for investment casting and jigs to improve the efficiency of your production line.

Fine Detail to Large Parts

3D print a model of a car or create jewellery with details as fine as 25 microns, the possibilities are limitless with 3D printing.

High Performance Parts

Some 3D printers have the capability to create sleek, professional looking parts with the mechanical properties that out preform aluminium. 3D printed parts are not just used to create visual models, they can be used in technical or manufacturing applications.

Download free 3D Printing Guide

FDM

Expand with the most versatile and widely used form of 3D printing…

FDM relates to the 3D printing process whereby molten polymer is extruded through a nozzle, the polymer is allowed to set before another polymer layer is bulit on top of it.

End Use Parts

Strong, lightweight and weather proof parts that can be used for technical applications

Markforged printers create extremely strong prints through two methods:

The filament used for Mark forged printer, Onyx, contains chopped up fibres to reinforce the polymer
Markforged printers allow for Continuous Fibre Reinforcement (CFR), whereby long strands of fibre are embedded along the X-Y axis of the part

Rapid, Large Scale Prints

Sculpturing, modelling cars and making film props without extensive labour cost and long lead times

Massivit 3D printers polymer layers set, not by cooling down, but by being cured with UV light. This unique process allows for extremely quick printing, making it the fastest in the industry.

If you are searching for a large scale printer with more flexibility and diversity in the material range then BigRep is ideal for you.

Bigrep

Low Cost Prototyping and Product Iteration

Replace traditional prototyping with high speed, accurate 3D printing

Find a 3D printer to meet your specific build volume, material choice, speed and quality needs:

Ultimaker Raise 3D

Sindoh BCN3D

Quick and Easy Prototyping with 3D Printers

SLA - Stereo lithography

Check out Formlabs range of SLA printers:

Formlabs Printers

SLA printers work by creating a polymer shape from UV curing liquid polymer. Using light to create the shape allows for more precision.

Extensive Range of Materials for a Variety of Applications

A Material for any need

Formlabs stock over 20 materials that can be used for parts requiring properties such as; rigid, elastic, high temperature resistant, durable, flexible, surgical hygiene, fast printing and wax casting.

And are designed for specific used such as; investment casting, dentistry, model making, jigs and engineering uses

Check out the material range

Material Range

High Resolution and Intricate Shapes

Create high resolution and intricate parts

With Formlabs printers you can create very detailed parts due to the fact the shapes form is created through lasers. Formlabs slicing software, Preform, allows for highly complex 3 dimensional support structures which broaden the limits of the printer capabilities.

Find out more about Preform.

Discover More

DLP - Digital Light Processing

Achieve quick prints from UV curable resins

DLP is similar to SLA apart from one big processing difference. SLA uses a singular laser to map and cure each individual laser, DLP projects the cross section of each layer in one flash.

Quicker Print Time than SLA

DLP printing produces prints quicker but comprises on quality

SLA printing operates through using a very fine laser to cure the resin, and therefore make the objects shape. DLP projects the cross section of each layer n “one go”, each layers shape is cure at once. The UV light is projected from a screen, the quality is limited to the pixels of the screen whereas SLA can produce details as fine as the thickest of the laser.

Looking for faster printer? Check out Draft V2 for Formlabs SLA printers. It is the quickest resin to print and cure, without comprising quality

Draft V2 Resin

SLS - Select Laser Sintering

Don’t comprise quality with SLS printing

SLS printing works by using a very fine laser to fuse powder particles together to form a solid. A layer of powder is covered over the previous formed layer and the process is repeated. The unused powder acts as a support for all the features above, resulting in very intricate parts without the support marks.

No part is too complex, detailed or difficult for SLS

No support marks and no dimensional restrictions

SLS printing allows for designs with overhangs, sharp edges and intricate detail to be printed with ease. It does all this without leaving any support marks to the design

The Fuse 1 currently only prints with Nylon 12 but research is underway for further development into other materials

Nylon 12

Fuse 1

Formlabs have created the first affordable and diverse SLS printer

Traditional SLS printers have been bulky, expensive and require extensive training to operate and maintenance. No more!

This SLS printer is ideal for production where the output is continually being improved and personalised

Fuse 1

Nano dimension 3d printing

3D printing has never been so big, or so small!

3D printing has unlocked the true potential of the computerised world. Circuit boards and processors that use to fill up a whole room can now be compacted into circuits so small they fit in your hand. The ever improving power of circuit boards has lead to the rapid grow in innovation in electronics.

Nano Dimesion

Create powerful circuit boards

Nano technology are leading in the industry for super powerful and super small circuit boards and PCBs. They have revolutionised the industry and created some of the smallest circuit boards on the market.

Future of Nano Dimension

Printing Housing for Circuits

Material Selection is key

When 3D printing to make housings for electronics and circuits, you must have a insulating material that doesn’t create a built up of static. Any static or electrical build up can short the circuits and cause long term damage.

Electric Static Discharge

Formlabs:

Grey Pro Resin

FAQ - 3D Printing

What's the Different Between SLA and SLS 3D Printing?

SLS 3d printer uses powder that is selectively fused together, while SLA 3d printer, a liquid resin is cured instead.

Both printer types do have their similarities, however. Both utilise a laser to create the objects that they produce layer by layer.

What's the Advantage of SLS Printing?

Formlabs SLS printer is often the top choice for anyone who needs to create prototypes and functional parts. Its mechanical properties are ideally built for working on these kinds of projects.

It’s also perfect for creating objects that are geometrically complex. Because it doesn’t need much support, it can be used to make whatever shape you need it to form.

The SLS Formlabs 3D printer is also the best option if you want a high-quality output for small to medium batches of items. Just a point to note, though: the end results may need a little post-processing because of the grainy finish.

The good news is that this post-processing is usually relatively easy to do. You can try dyeing, lacquering, polishing, or spray painting, depending on your requirements.

How Do I Print with a SLS 3D Printer?

Inside the build chamber of the Formlab SLS printer, a thin layer of polymer powder is spread out onto a platform.
The printer will preheat the powder and maintain a temperature just below the raw material’s melting point. This step makes it easier for the laser to increase the temperature on specific points as it copies the model.
As it scans the model, the powder particles are fused together, creating a single, solid part. The unfused powder serves as the part’s support, thus eliminating the need for any support structures.
The platform lowers down by a single layer in depth into the build chamber. This layer is usually around 50 to 100 microns. A recoater then starts to add each layer of powder material on top. The laser then continues to scan the next section of the part being built.
The process is repeated layer after layer until the entire object is complete. It is given enough time to cool down inside the printer.
Once the parts are ready, the build chamber is brought out of the printer. The printed parts are then separated, and any excess powder left can be cleaned off.

The 3D printing process has definitely come a long way from its initial development in the 1980s. The various technologies available today offer a much more efficient and cost-effective way to make all sorts of 3D items. With a SLS printer, it’s an affordable option for your business to invest in.

Speak to our technical expert today to help unleash your creativity with 3D printing. Contact Solid Print3D by calling 01926 333 777 or by sending us an email to info@solidprint3d.co.uk.

Still wondering which of our products is right for you?