Award-winning LCD 3D printer and materials manufacturer Photocentric has introduced a new system: the Liquid Crystal (LC) Magna.
The LC Magna is the second largest LCD 3D printer from Photocentric operating a build volume of 510mm x 280mm x 350mm. According to Sally Tipping, Sales Director at Photocentric, the large build “sets new standards, making [the LC Magna] best in class in almost every respect.”
The machine is now available to pre-order and will begin shipping in June 2019.
Tipping adds, “it really is a disruptive industry-changing machine.”
Daylight photopolymerization
Photocentric was founded by Paul Holt in 2002 as a stamp manufacturer. In 2005, Photocentric filed a patent for daylight photopolymerization process which later formed the basis of the company’s 3D printing technology.
Turning this technology into a marketable system began with a grant from the non-departmental public body Innovate UK. In contrast to the high energy UV light used in 3D printing processes, Photocentric’s daylight photopolymerization process cures resin at wavelengths larger than 405 nm. The benefits of the technology include a safer working environment, lower overall price of the machine and improved curability.
The company released its first LCD 3D printer, the Liquid Crystal 10″, in 2016. Since then four 3D printers, including LC Magna, have been commercially released. For innovation in daylight photopolymerization, Photocentric won the Queen’s Award for Enterprise in 2016 and, for achieving outstanding overseas sales growth in 3 years, the award returned to the company again in 2018.
In addition to 3D printers, Photocentric also has a significant range of 3D printing materials which include hard, soft and flexible UV and daylight curable resins. Broadening its portfolio the company has also partnered with BASF, whose versatile Ultracur3D resin is compatible with LC Magna. Throughout 2019, Photocentric plans to release high-temperature resins for investment casting.
Customized batch 3D printing
The LCD Magna is capable of a production rate up to 10 times faster than its predecessor, the Liquid Crystal Pro. Depending on material used, curing speed and layer thickness can been anything from 3 to 8 seconds per layer.
The system has a 23.8 inch 4K Ultra HD screen combined with a custom backlight, contributing to an average print accuracy of within 50 µm, and model tolerances of less than 100µm.
A generous build volume allows LC Magna to batch print customized products within hours. Internal tests have shown that the latest LCD printer can produce 46 flat dental arches in one hour. In eyewear, 36 optical frames can be 3D printed in one build within 12 hours.
The LC Magna package is priced at £10,995 and includes 2 kg of Daylight Black Hard and Daylight Dental Model White resin, and licensed Photocentric Studio for two PCs.
Customers can also buy purchase the LC Magna with a Photocentric Wash unit. A dedicated post-exposure unit will be available for the LC Magna in Q3 2019.
In the UK the LC Magna can be bought from the award-winning reseller 3DGBIRE. A full list of resellers around the world is available on the company’s website.
Technical specifications
| Build Volume | 510 x 280 x 350 mm |
| Print Speed | 13.3 mm per hour |
| XY pixel size | 137 microns (Average accuracy of 50 microns) |
| Layer Thickness | 25, 50, 100, 200 microns |
| Curing speed | 3-8 seconds per layer (at 100 microns dependent on resin) |
| Compatible resins | Daylight Magna resins |
| Software | Photocentric Studio |
| Connectivity | USB, Ethernet, WiFi |
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Featured image shows high tensile parts 3D printed in LC Magna. Image via Photocentric.
