AME-3D, a Sheffield-based additive manufacturing provider, has expanded its fleet of machines by adding two new stereolithography (SLA) machines from the German manufacturer UnionTech GmbH; these complement a new selective laser sintering (SLS) machine installed earlier last year.

The RS Pro 800 is said to be the only large-frame SLA machine in Yorkshire capable of building components up to 800 x 800 x 550mm in layer thicknesses from 0.07 to 0.25mm. This machine can be applied for a variety of industries and applications, such as large automotive rapid prototypes, film and TV props, and wind tunnel testing models.

Meanwhile, the Pilot 450 — one of six machines currently operational in the UK — can create parts within a 450 x 450 x 400mm work envelope and with layer thickness of 0.05-0.25mm. It can build medical grade components, high-definition scale models, ‘form, fit and function’ prototypes, and accurate casting masters.

Rich Proctor, AME-3D’s managing director, said: “The RS Pro 800 is a game-changer for UK producers and manufacturers. We have increased our maximum build volume over eight times, from 43 litres to 352 litres. We can now build much stronger parts because we can produce them as a single piece rather than in smaller sections and joining them together. The Pilot 450 is another string to our bow, increasing our high-resolution build volume more than five times.

“Both these machines are built on a solid granite recoater frame, giving them the thermal stability required to meet the demands of high-precision builds. Indeed, there is now more granite in our factory than in a high-spec kitchen.”

John Beckett, managing director of Euro-pac3D, the Cheshire-based company that provided the UnionTech machines, added: “The development of UnionTech’s large-bed machines over the last few years has brought our company to the forefront of SLA technology and quality. I am honoured that AME-3D is now home to the first large-bed SLA machine of this kind, as there are many UK manufacturers that will benefit greatly from the new possibilities these machines offer, including stronger parts and less wastage.”