| |
| |
| |
|
|
| |
3D Printers Build Real Plastic Parts from 3D CAD Models |
|
So what is a 3D Printer?
Components designed in 3D software such as SolidWorks, or Pro/DESKTOP, would traditionally be machined by starting with a solid block of material and then machining away the waste with a milling cutter. This process is great for some objects, but it has its limitations. What about objects with undercuts, or hollow objects? A 3D printer essentially works the other way round. It starts with an empty machine bed then a print head passes over the bed and deposits a thin layer of material to form a “slice” of the object. The bed is lowered and the print head deposits another slice. The process is repeated until the complete object is formed. Awkward holes and undercuts are simply filled with a honeycomb of a special “support” plastic which is easily broken off or dissolved later.
What is special about the Dimension 3D Printer?
Most 3D printers build models from starch, wax or similar materials. The finished object looks the part, but can have little structural strength. The Dimension produces parts by extruding molten ABS plastic to give solid plastic objects that can be handled and used, eg., a camera or a calculator case can be as strong as the real object. The plastic is white as standard, but can also be supplied in a range of colours.
The Dimension is clean and practically silent in operation. It has been designed for the classroom rather than the workshop.
|
|
|
|
How easy is it to use in a school?
A simple answer - dead easy. The software supplied allows 3D stl files (as produced in SolidWorks, Pro/DESKTOP, etc.) to be loaded and positioned, then it does the rest. The process is fully automatic. Multiple parts can be loaded and processed at the same time to reduce overall manufacturing times. Material handling is also straightforward, the raw materials are loaded in cartridges (just like in laser printers). This means that there are no messy powders to handle, and that the whole process is quick and clean.
What about the costs?
Well, this is sophisticated technology, so it is bound to cost a bit more than a few files and a hacksaw! However, this new machine really has provided a breakthrough in pricing to bring it within the reach of a number of schools and colleges. Of course there are also running costs; an item such as a mobile phone case might typically cost a few pounds to produce (remember, there is no waste material to be machined away, you only pay for the plastic you use). Also you have a finished object straight off the machine, no secondary processing such as casting is normally required.
What about several schools sharing a machine?
One of the beauties of the Dimension is that it is ideal for remote manufacturing. It links straight into your network and can even be operated remotely via the internet! This means that it is ideal for the hub of a manufacturing consortium, eg., a Technology College, an LEA resource centre, etc. In this context, the ease of setup also means that the support time required (teacher or technician) is minimal - mainly taking finished items out of the machine!
What about support?
As part of the deal to education the machine is installed, and comprehensive on-site training is given in its use. The education deal also includes an extra two years parts warranty (one year on-site parts and labour warranty is standard). |
|
Camera Body Shell
(Two piece model, with a spray
painted finish / Decorated with
Print and Cut decals) |
| |
|
USB Flash Drive Case
(Two piece model with a spray painted finish) |
| |
| 
|
| |
Clamp
(Built from red and yellow ABS) |
|
So why buy a Dimension 3D printer?
|
|
Many schools and colleges are using 3D Design software such as SolidWorks or Pro/DESKTOP. Many students are producing exciting, sometimes sophisticated and complex 3D designs. But for most students an on-screen image or a print-out is the end of the process. Milling systems do a great job for many simple designs, but inherently impose restrictions on the design process itself.
3D printing opens up a whole new world of product design, where students are free to create interesting and complex shapes and objects, then to actually handle them, test them and truly assess them. The Dimension is simply the best machine around for this purpose. It is simple to set up and operate, it is clean and quiet, and it suits a school environment. The outcomes have real structural strength, they can be real working parts. The Dimension may be out of the reach of many schools individually, but its relatively low cost has meant that establishments such as Technology Colleges, LEA resource centres, etc., have been able to purchase BST and SST machines.
The capability that this innovative machine offers has been the dream of forward thinking D&T teachers since the inception of the subject, now the reality has arrived. |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
The Dimension BST (Breakaway Support Technology) builds parts from ABS and uses a brittle support material. After removing the finished model from the build chamber the support material is broken off by hand. |
| |
| FEATURES |
|
- Max. build size 203 x 203 x 305mm
- ABS Colours: White, Black, Red, Blue, Green and Yellow
- Dimensions 686(W) x 930(D) x 1041(H)mm
- Weight 136Kg
- Optional floor stand
- 1 year warranty.
UK Mainland & Ireland: On-Site
Elsewhere: Return and Collect
- 2 further years parts warranty (Education only)
|
| |
|
The Dimension SST (Soluble Support Technology) builds parts from ABS and uses a soluble support material. After removing the finished model from the build chamber the support material can either be broken off by hand or dissolved in the Ultrasonic tank. The use of a soluble support material extends the range of potential models the Dimension can build. The SST can therefore build models where manual removal of support material would not be possible (eg., bottles, parts within parts, etc.). |
| |
|
| FEATURES |
- Max. build size 203 x 203 x 305mm
- ABS Colours: White, Black, Red, Blue, Green and Yellow
- Dimensions 686(W) x 930(D) x 1041(H)mm
- Weight 136Kg
- Ultrasonic Tank
- Optional floor stand
- 1 year warranty.
UK Mainland & Ireland: On-Site
Elsewhere: Return and Collect
- 2 further years parts warranty (Education only)
|
| |
|
| |
| The Dimension 1200 is a new larger range of Dimension with both BST and SST models. The 1200 range will be of interest to those who require an even larger build area than the standard 768 Dimension. |
| |
FEATURES |
|
- Max. build size 254 x 254 x 305mm
- ABS Colours: White, Black, Red, Blue, Green and Yellow
- Dimensions 686 x 930 x 1041mm
- Weight 148Kg
- Ultrasonic Tank (SST only)
- Optional floor stand
- 1 year warranty.
UK Mainland & Ireland: On-Site
Elsewhere: Return and Collect
- 2 further years parts warranty (Education only)
|
(All prices shown are in pounds sterling and exclude VAT) |
Dimension BST 768 (Breakaway Support Technology).
Includes delivery (UK Mainland only), installation & training |
*14900.00 |
|
Dimension SST 768 (Soluble Support Technology).
Includes delivery (UK Mainland only), installation & training
N.B. Dimension SST is supplied with a Clean Station to automatically wash away the support structures |
*21300.00
|
|
| |
Dimension BST 1200 (Breakaway Support Technology).
Includes delivery (UK Mainland only), installation & training |
*16900.00 |
|
Dimension SST 1200 (Soluble Support Technology).
Includes delivery (UK Mainland only), installation & training
N.B. Dimension SST is supplied with a Clean Station to automatically wash away the support structures |
*24300.00 |
|
| |
| Wheeled Stand for Dimension |
960.00 |
|
| |
| Recommended software: |
SolidWorks Education Edition 2007-2008
|
|
|
| |
| |
| 3D PRINTING CONSUMABLES |
TechSoft can supply the full range of standard accessories for the DIMENSION range of machines. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
