By Melissa Donovan
Three-dimensional (3D) ceramic printing is used for a number of applications—some more advanced then others. This is includes cores and molds for aerospace, automotive, biochemical industry segments to artwork for large installations. Additive manufacturing (AM) creates an efficient manufacturing process by addressing the time and labor intensive processes of traditional methods.
The November issue of Industrial Print magazine includes a chart listing 3D ceramic printer models and their specifications. Here, we share highlight select printers in this category.
3D Minerals offers the Cartesian 3D printer, ideal for studies and demonstrations, according to the company’s website. Manufactured with custom dimensions, the fully enclosed 3D printer produces ceramic parts via robocasting or slurry deposition modeling.
3DCeram answers industrial needs for ceramic 3D printing with artificial intelligence (AI). Facing precision and efficiency challenges, the company has developed CERIA, an AI tool integrated into its printers. This innovation optimizes part layout, ensures adherence to design rules, and prevents human errors. It enables centralized production management, thereby reducing costs and waste. 3DCeram’s top-down stereolithography (SLA) technology, combined with large printing platforms and multiple lasers, offers increased quality and speed. With support from the Sinto group, 3DCeram aims to make ceramic 3D printing more accessible and reliable for industrial applications.
Desktop Metal manufactures the X-Series family of scalable 3D printers, which are used for ceramics printing. The X-Series family of scalable 3D printers—the InnoventX, X25Pro, and X160Pro—feature industrial piezoelectric printheads and patented Triple ACT advanced compaction technology, which dispenses, spreads, and compacts ultra-fine powders with tight parameter controls. Triple ACT allows these open materials systems to process metals and ceramics with high density and repeatability for functional, precision parts and tooling in a range of build areas.
Formlabs introduced the Form 4 SLA printer in early 2024. It is used for ceramic printing of alumina, reaching a maximum print speed of 3.9 inches per hour. Its build volume is 7.9×4.9×8.3 inches with a build area of 38.3 inches squared. Formlabs also manufactures Alumina 4N Resin, a high-density and high-purity technical ceramic 3D printing material with exceptional performance in extreme environments—thermally resistant, hard, abrasion resistant, mechanically strong, and chemically inert. Alumina 4N Resin has a total shelf life of three months at room temperature.
Lithoz’s Ceramic 3D Factory network unites Lithoz technology and service bureaus all over the world in one global network for interconnected serial production across fields such as semiconductor production, aerospace, and MedTech. The network is strengthened by CeraControl software, which allows for 100 globally interconnected CeraFab S65 3D printers. These devices are specifically designed for scaling up and industrial mass production.
The pam o2 MC metal and ceramic printer from Pollen AM Inc. offers users full setup control and compatibility with thermoplastics. The printer is powered by Cura, an open source software that is open to slicing parameters, offers on demand customization, and can be specifically engineered for add ons.
Tethon 3D’s Gazelle, powered by S-BAT and C-CAT, is a fast and advanced industrial 3D printer. Its build volume of 320x290x500 millimeters (mm) and open material system enable flexibility in size and materials. With user-friendly features like its Tension Free System, a heating mechanism, and an automatic resin dispenser, it offers superior solutions across various uses, enhancing both quality and efficiency. Print parts at 400 mm an hour while having an open system, owning your machine, and reducing cost per part.
Voxeljet offers the VX1000, a robust and popular industrial 3D printing system. It can print medium-sized sand molds and cores for metal casting to investment casting patterns and high-performance ceramic components. The VX1000 can process all common Voxeljet material systems, depending on the material configuration. The construction volume of 1,000x600x500 mm is ideally suited for the cost-effective production of prototypes as well as small- and medium-sized series orders. Ceramic processes include phenolic resin and water based, which are optimal for the production of complex and filigree cores or molds.
WASP 40100 LDM or liquid deposition modeling is a new medium/large format ceramic 3D printer designed to print fluid-dense materials including clay, stoneware, porcelain, and earthenware. Accurate and fast using all ceramic materials, the machine is open and accessible on all three sides to allow interaction during printing. The machine features LDM WASP Extruder 3.0, the professional ceramic extruder equipped with a screw system capable of regulating the output flow of the material, allowing a rapid flow interruption and a good retraction control. The optional LDM WASP Extruder XL 3.0 is a larger version of the LDM 3.0, allowing you to work with larger nozzles and higher material flow rates of up to eight millimeters in diameter.
Xjet’s Carmel 1400C ceramic system is powered by recirculation advanced inkjet technology. It is highly suitable for a range of creative ceramic AM applications in diverse industries, due its superior quality and geometric complexity. High productivity and repeatability enables solutions from prototyping to full fledge manufacturing. It addresses a range of applications from industries such as semiconductors, biotechnology, healthcare, aerospace, automotive, and telecommunications.
Nov2024, Industrial Print Magazine
