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Optimising 3D Printing Success: The Crucial Role of Material Selection
Choosing the right material for 3D printing is paramount as it directly influences the success, longevity and sustainability of developed applications. Each material possesses unique characteristics that dictate its suitability for specific applications.
Book a ConsultationDaylight & UV Resin
Daylight resin and UV resin are both types of photopolymer resins used in resin-based 3D printing processes like stereolithography (SLA) and digital light processing (DLP). While they share similarities, they also have some differences:
Curing Mechanism
UV resin cures when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light. This can be either UV light emitted from a UV LED or from other UV light sources.
Daylight Resin:Daylight resin, also known as "visible light resin" or "LED resin," cures when exposed to visible light, particularly in the blue spectrum. It doesn't necessarily require UV light for curing.
Light Sources
Requires UV light sources for curing, which typically emit light in the UV-A spectrum.
Daylight Resin:Can cure under visible light sources, such as LED lights, which are often more accessible and safer than UV light sources.
Curing Time
Typically cures faster compared to daylight resin because UV light has higher energy, enabling quicker polymerization.
Daylight Resin:May have slightly longer curing times compared to UV resin due to the lower energy of visible light.
Exposure to Ambient Light
Sensitive to ambient UV light, which can cause unintentional curing or premature solidification of the resin.
Daylight Resin:Less sensitive to ambient light, particularly to UV light, making it easier to work with in environments with normal lighting conditions.
Colour and Transparency
UV resins are available in various colours and translucencies, including opaque and clear formulations.
Daylight Resin:Similarly available in various colours and translucencies, but formulations may differ slightly due to the specific requirements of curing under visible light.
Safety
Requires caution when handling due to its sensitivity to UV light, which can be harmful to skin and eyes. Proper protective equipment like gloves and UV-blocking eyewear are necessary.
Daylight Resin:Generally considered safer to handle since it doesn't rely on UV light for curing. However, standard safety precautions should still be followed when working with any resin-based materials.
In summary, while both UV resin and daylight resin serve similar purposes in resin-based 3D printing, their curing mechanisms, light sensitivity, and handling characteristics differ, making each suitable for specific applications and user preferences.
Daylight Resin
It is also more effective to use daylight with dark coloured or particle rich formulations as the longer wavelength travels further.
Daylight 3D Printing is far better for screen life, lower in energy and safer, but significantly it also makes printing more reliable, delivering a more consistent cure possible than higher intensity UV by virtue of its greater depth of penetration.
Dental Model
Creates accurate, high-resolution models developed in conjunction with dental experts.
Optimised for:
- Orthodontic models for clear aligner manufacture
- Study opposing and denture base models
- Thermoforming
Hard
Ideal for making large scale objects displaying extreme hardness with little compression under high force.
Optimised for:
- Printing large functional parts
- Mass manufacture of custom end-use parts
- Prototyping
Draft
Our fastest printing resin comparable to acrylic and polyamides.
Optimised for:
- Rapid prototyping
- Fast printing
- Investment casting
High Temp DL400
Handles temperatures of up to 230°C without bending or deforming, simulating the strength and rigidity of glass filled Nylon 6.
Optimised for:
- Hot fluid and gas manifolds
- Moulds and inserts
- Heat resistant housings and fixtures
High Temp DL401
A rigid resin designed for moulding applications, possessing both high stiffness and ductility, and capable of withstanding high temperatures.
Optimised for:
- Hot fluid and gas manifolds
- Moulds and inserts
- Heat resistant housings and fixtures
Rigid DL240 Plant-Based
High-performance rigid 3D printing resin which consists of 50% plant based raw materials, offering a substantial reduction on net CO2 emission.
Optimised for:
- Fast prototyping
- Accurate parts
- Dental models for aligner manufacturing
Durable
Creates functional parts that are very durable and long-lasting, with high impact strength.
Optimised for:
- Jigs and fixtures requiring minimal deflection
- Cover plates and enclosures
- Fastenings, tools and couplings
Duramax
Creates functional parts that are very durable and long-lasting, with high impact strength.
Optimised for:
- Jigs and fixtures requiring minimal deflection
- Cover plates and enclosures
- Fastenings, tools and couplings
DL110H
Incredibly versatile resin can handle impact, compression, bending and stress fatigue without breaking or deforming.
Optimised for:
- Jigs and fixtures requiring minimal deflection at elevated temperatures
- Cover plates and enclosures
- Fastenings, tools and couplings
- Strong and stiff prototypes
Flexible DL220B
An optimised solution for applications which require a combination of impact absorption, high elongation, efficient energy damping, good tear strength and very low water absorption.
Optimised for:
- Sport protection e.g. shin pads
- Shock and impact absorption,e.g. phone cases
- Cushioning
Ultracur3D® EPD1006
Perfect for creating functional parts capable of movement and flexibility without breaking.
Optimised for:
- Ideal for functional parts
- Engineering
- Prototyping
Ultracur3D® EPD1086
A multi-purpose daylight resin suitable for a wide variety of applications with balanced mechanical properties.
Optimised for:
- Cost-effective solution
- Engineering
- Prototyping
Ultracur3D® EPD2006
Rigid, durable and long-lasting material which delivers the finest detail possible.
Optimised for:
- Parts requring resilience with little compression
- Engineering
- Prototyping
Ultracur3D® EPD3500
Strong translucent daylight resin with superior strength and stiffness.
Optimised for:
- Engineering
- Prototyping
- Translucent parts
Ultracur3D® EPD4006
Ideally suited for making large-scale objects where a hard finish is essential.
Optimised for:
- Functional applications
- Parts requiring high impact resistance
- Smooth surface finish
Ultracur3D® FLD5006
Optimised for applications which require a combination of high energy return, high elongation and tear strength.
Optimised for:
- Footwear e.g. midsoles
- Cushioning e.g. bike saddle
- Grips and handles
UV Resin
UV resin offers distinct advantages over daylight resin in certain scenarios. While daylight resin may be preferred for its benefits in screen life, lower energy consumption, and safety, UV resin excels in providing faster curing times, especially when utilising higher intensity UV light sources. This rapid curing capability can lead to increased productivity and shorter print times.
High Tensile
Ideal for making objects with a high tensile strength and hardness that cannot be bent or compressed easily.
Optimised for:
- Prototyping
- Functional engineering
- Rigid and strong parts
Rigid UV240 Plant-Based
High-performance rigid 3D printing resin which consists of 50% plant based raw materials, offering a substantial reduction on net CO2 emission.
Optimised for:
- Fast prototyping
- Accurate parts
- Dental models for aligner manufacturing
Crystal Clear
Makes clear strong objects with minimal shrinkage providing a smooth, shiny surface finish.
Optimised for:
- Crystal clear parts
- High accuracy and low shrinkage
- Strong and durable
Firm
Creates parts that withstand shock and will hold their shape whilst able to bend without breaking.
Optimised for:
- Pliable parts
- Durable functional parts
- High accuracy
Hard
Ideal for making objects displaying extreme hardness with no compression under high force.
Optimised for:
- Functional parts
- Compression-resisting end-use parts
- Prototypes
Dental Model
Developed in conjunction with dental technologists Dental Model creates accurate, high-resolution, dry surface models.
Optimised for:
- Clear aligner manufacture
- Study opposing and denture base models
- Thermoforming
Photocentric 3D Printer Range
Photocentric Liquid Crystal Opus 3D Printer
With its rugged construction, the LC Opus has been designed to provide reliable and repeatable performance
Photocentric Liquid Crystal Magna 3D Printer
LC Magna delivers the ideal combination of a large build volume with accurate printing making it the right tool for custom mass manufacture.
Photocentric Magna Pro Bundle
The Photocentric Magna Pro Bundle offers the complete solution with unparalleled speed and large build volume to produce high accuracy parts.
Photocentric LC Titan
A game-changer in large format industrial printing, providing scale, speed, and reliability at an affordable cost. Amplify with Photocentric Cure XL and Wash XL for optimal curing and efficient cleaning...
Photocentric Cure L2
This industrial 3D printing curing station is the ideal post curing solution, purpose designed to take a full Magna platform of parts. It will strengthen your parts and deliver maximum...
Photocentric Air Wash L
The new Air Wash L is designed to operate twenty-four-hours a day, and is ideal for supporting large-scale production. Its air agitation system cleans rapidly, with efficient and meticulous results...