Market-leading 3D printer manufacturer Stratasys has announced its new Stratasys Objet260 Dental 3D printer. Equipped with Polyjet Triple Jetting technology, the Stratasys Objet260 Dental can 3D print three different materials on a single tray, allowing the production of several applications under a single 3D print job.
The machine is to be formally unveiled at the LMT Lab Day 2018 in Chicago alongside two further dental products, flexible biocompatible material MEDFLX625, and Pop-Out Part (PoP) technology for the removal of supports from clear aligner arches.
Supporting the transition to digital dentistry
With the global dental market forecast to reach 37 billion U.S. dollars by 2021, Stratasys, like rival 3D printer manufacturer 3D Systems (which yesterday launched its NextDent 5100 3D printer), is capitalizing on its experience of manufacturing machines and materials for the dental industry to appeal to a wider range of dental laboratories.
This push from 3D printing to dental technologies is in the opposite direction to companies like Straumann, which are moving incorporating 3D printing into existing dental businesses.
At the heart of Stratasys’ offering is its PolyJet Triple Jetting technology, which combines droplets of three base materials to 3D print objects made of multiple colors and materials in a single print run. It was launched in 2014 with the Objet500 Connex3 3D printer.
The appeal of PolyJet Triple Jetting
The Objet260 Dental 3D printer can be used to manufacture surgical guides, models, and other appliances. On the 3D printer’s single material mode, these appliances can be produced with a shorter change-over and reduced material waste.
The Objet260 Dental also promises a more affordable solution for mid-sized labs looking to expand their services. An optional “Dental Selection” upgrade includes support for three further regular materials as well as special materials to reproduce a range of gum-like textures and natural tooth shades.
Reiterating Stratasys’ intentions to place digital dentistry “in the hands of more customers than ever before,” Stratasys Director of Healthcare Solutions Mike Gaisford said:
“There’s no denying the power of 3D printing for digital dentistry to significantly decrease turnaround time, reduce labor costs, and provide new streams of revenue. Multi-material 3D printing pushes the boundaries of what’s possible in dentistry today while unlocking the next-generation of applications for tomorrow.”
Additional materials and technology
Launched alongside the Objet260 Dental 3D printer, MEDFLX625 is a biocompatible material that allows dental and orthodontic laboratories to 3D print flexible and rigid biocompatible materials for direct print applications such as indirect bonding trays, such as surgical guides and soft-tissue implant models.
Additionally, PoP technology facilitates support removal with manual peel-off, which is especially useful for the high-volume production of clear aligner arches.
Object260 Dental 3D Printer specifications
System size: 870 x 735 x 1200 mm
Build size: 255 x 252 x 200 mm
System mass: 264 kg
Material cabinet size: 330 x 1170 x 640 mm
Layer thickness: 16 microns (.0006 in.)
Build Resolution: 16-micron (high quality), 28-micron (high speed)
Compatible materials: VeroDent (MED670), VeroDentPlus (MED690), VeroGlaze (MED620), Clear Bio-compatible (MED610), VeroWhite, and TangoPlus
Support materials: SUP706 (soluble) and SUP705 (WaterJet removable)
Additional materials (Dental Selection upgrade): VeroYellow, VeroMagenta, TangoBlackPlus, and Digital Materials to reproduce a range of gum-like textures and natural tooth shades.
Software: Objet Studio
Does this stand out as a leading application of 3D printing? Nominations for the 3D Printing Industry Awards 2018 are only open for another week. Submit yours now.
Could your design be our awards trophy? Protolabs is sponsoring the 2018 3D Printing Industry Awards design competition. Submit your design now to win a 3D printer.
For more stories on 3D printing and dental applications, subscribe to our free 3D Printing Industry newsletter, follow us on Twitter, and like us on Facebook.
Featured image shows the Objet260 Dental 3D printer. Photo via Stratasys.
