Stereolithography (SLA) 3D printers Formlabs’ stereolithography 3D printers can be used to create a wide variety of parts, including inserts for injection molds.
What’s new? Build Platform 2L, a build platform that can be installed without tools to work with the Form 3L and Form 3BL printers. It is available for $599.
Benefits Reduced post-processing time. Build Platform 2L has a flexible, gouge-resistant and removable stainless steel print surface with quick-release technology. Using push tabs on either side, operators can cause the print surface to bow and break contact with the part or parts, making the process fast and easy. In addition, the printer is designed to improve upon typical part-removal methods. With other printers, one challenge is that the dense resins used for making mold inserts adhere to the build platform with great strength, making manual removal with a scraping tool or putty knife difficult. Typically, one solution is to print at an angle, so easier-to-remove support material is in contact with the build platform. However, depending on the size of the mold, this can double the print time — or even make the part too tall to print. But users of Build Platform 21 can print directly on the plate instead of at an angle, ensuring consistent properties throughout the part — a vital concern for parts subject to the pressures found in injection molding machines.
Formlabs Inc., Somerville, Mass.,617-702-8476, www.formlabs.com
David Tillett | Associate Editor
Associate Editor David Tillett writes and edits for Plastics Machinery & Manufacturing, Plastics Recycling and The Journal of Blow Molding. He covers new products, industry news, patents and consumer and business equipment. He has more than 20 years of experience in daily newspaper, online and magazine journalism.
