Objet for plastic parts
Highlights
The major attraction of the Polyjet process, as developed and commercialised by Objet, is that it works at a layer thickness of 16 micron. This minimises the effects of the layering that characterises any part produced by additive manufacture.
There are several resins available covering both hard and flexible requirements, although the most interesting development was the release in late 2007 of the Connex 500. This offers the ability to digitally combine both hard and soft resins, translating the 7 standard material options into 21 grades. Alternatively the hardness may be graduated or used to build prototype overmoulded parts in one hit.
Whilst supports are required for the process, they are built with a different material, allowing subsequent removal with water based solution.
Process Features
Accuracy
General part accuracy is quoted at between ± 0.1 and 0.15mm in x, y and z, depending on geometry.
Minimum Feature Size
The minimum viable wall section that can be produced using the hard materials (Fullcure) is 0.6mm, whilst with the flexible materials (Tango) this should be increased to 1 mm.
Layer Thickness
Most materials will build in both 16 and 32 micron layers.
Bed Size
There is a range of machines offering bed capacities from 260 x 260 mm (resolution 600 x 300 dpi in x and y) through to 490 x 390 mm (resolution 600 dpi in x and y).
Post Processing
Parts can be milled, drilled, polished, painted, plated and used as masters for vacuum casting.
Flexible Parts using Objet
There are a range of flexible resins from Objet. For full details view the Objet for flexible parts page.
Description
The computer model is sliced as with all additive processes and then both supports and part are jetted simultaneously within the machine. Jetted material is cured instantly using UV light. The supports are removed by 'jet washing' them away post build