3D Systems has been in the news regularly again this week following the company’s 2012 results being released and completion of the Geomagic acquisition. On the technology front, 3D Systems has also announced the immediate availability of eight new ProJet 3500 professional 3D printers all of which, the company claims, deliver greater productivity and are equipped with its latest remote tablet controls.
Following the launch of the first two ProJet systems at Euromold back in December of last year — the ProJet 3500 HDMax and the ProJet CPXMax — this latest announcement brings the total number of Projet Systems to 10. The ProJet 3D printers are all based on the same platform which utilises 3D Systems’ Multi-Jet Modeling (MJM) print technology, a production-grade print head, advanced material management, tablet-like touchscreen controls and remote tablet and smartphone connectivity. However, I was intrigued by the fact that the company introduced eight new models in one go; and, because the press release was a little vague on the specifics I asked for more details on the differentiators.
As ever, Cathy Lewis, 3D Systems’ Marketing Director, was keen to facilitate and proffered the following information on the eight new printers:
ProJet 3500 series printers are compatible with 3D Systems’ existing VisiJet print materials.
ProJet 3510 SD (Standard Definition): This is the entry level 3D printer in the 3500 series, it is affordable but still prints high quality, durable plastic parts for engineering and mechanical design applications including functional testing, form and fit verification, rapid prototyping, design communication, rapid tooling and more.
ProJet 3510 HD (High Definition) and HDPlus: These two 3D printers produce high precision, durable plastic parts ideal for functional testing, design communication, rapid manufacturing, rapid tooling and more. They print using a variety of materials and offer selectable print resolutions. They are office friendly, easy-to-use 3D Printers. The ProJet 3510 HDPlus features a 60% expanded high definition build envelope and advanced print detail output. A new 16 micron print resolution delivers exceptional hard plastic parts with unmatched micro-detail and surface quality.
The ProJet 3510 CP is transforming the use of 3D printing for the rapid production of direct investment casting patterns for virtually any geometry. This 3D printer mass produces 100% Real WaxT patterns with smooth surfaces quality and exceptional precision, supporting almost unlimited applications.
The Projet 3510 CPX and CPXPlus mass produce 100% wax micro-detail patterns with superior surface quality, extremely fine detail and exceptional precision to enable rapid workflow, mass customization and improved casting room efficiencies and productivity. Casting yields mirror standard casting waxes and the RealWaxT pattern performance rivals injected wax patterns in existing lost-wax casting processes and equipment. The ProJet 3510 CPXPlus features a 60% expanded high definition build envelope with up to 20% increased print speed. A 20 micron high resolution option delivers exceptional wax patterns with smooth surface quality and fine feature detail in less time.
The ProJet 3510 DP is a Dental Professional 3D Printer that accurately, consistently and economically manufactures precision wax-ups for dental labs.
Lab technicians can scan a model, design a virtual wax-up using 3D software, and send the resulting data to the ProJet 3510 DP to print.
The ProJet 3510 MP Printing System is designed for use in laboratories with extended unattended operation and same day processing to reduce time and cost. The system can produce any size model with a choice of two print modes, smooth and matte. Multiple models can be built at one time. The system can generate hundreds of units each cycle with an extremely smooth surface finish that can be cast or pressed with conventional techniques.
Buddy Byrum, Vice President of Product & Channel Management for 3D Systems concluded: “With the addition of these new printers we’ve expanded our best-ever capabilities across a new ProJet 3500 family of ten printers. These new printers produce feature detail and quality that is unrivalled, and deliver unparalleled user experience including on-the-go access through our innovative and exclusive Print3D App for tablet computers and smartphones.”
Source: 3D Systems
