Users looking into additive manufacturing (AM) options in a live production environment can now see Stratasys’ H350 and Stratasys Origin One 3-D printers at the Digital Manufacturing Centre (DMC) at Silversone Park. Installed by Laser Lines, a re-seller of 3-D printers and materials, the latest machines follow the placement of a Stratasys F770 and the DyeMansion post-processing workflow into the DMC last year.

Mark Tyrtania, sales director at Laser Lines, said: “This is the next step in our partnership with the DMC. The collaboration with the highly qualified engineering team there means we have an environment where we can highlight the benefits of additive manufacturing (AM) and show Stratasys machines in volume production. With the expansion of Laser Lines solutions with the Origin One and H350, new and existing customers can see another example of an AM printer in a live, digital manufacturing environment.”

Advanced applications
Kieron Salter, CEO at the DMC, said: “Laser Lines and Stratasys have been integral partners in helping establish the DMC and allowing us to rapidly realise the potential of commercial AM for advanced applications. The new Stratasys H350 perfectly complements our existing polymer production and finishing technologies and we are looking forward to exploiting the new SAF technology, leveraging our existing customer base in automotive, motorsport, aerospace and space.

“We are also thrilled to be adding the Stratasys Origin One to our production floor here at the DMC. Thanks to the fantastic support of Laser Lines, we are one of the first facilities in the UK to receive this system – great news for our customers. Versatile and capable of producing high-quality parts from a range of materials for industries from aerospace to medical devices, the Origin One will perfectly complement our extensive suite of metal and polymer AM systems.”

The H350 printer provides production-level throughput for end-use parts and promises production consistency, with a competitive and predictable cost per part. Thousands of parts, including connectors, hinges, cable holders, electronics housings and others can be manufactured using the high-performance machine.

Mr Tyrtania continued: “The Stratasys H350 is a high-volume, short-run production machine offering parts that can be reproduced continuously and accurately, with exceptional detail and a smooth surface finish. To be able to demonstrate this capability in a live production environment in the UK is fantastic and we are looking forward to showing the system to new and existing customers.”

The H350 uses Selective Absorption Fusion (SAF) technology. SAF is a new, industrial-grade AM technology that delivers production level throughput for end-use parts. The system uses the Big Wave powder management system to accurately deposit a thin layer of powder and heat it. Industrial piezoelectric print heads then jet High Absorbing Fluid (HAF) on to the powder, with infrared energy fusing the selected areas and underlying particles.

With quality control at the centre of volume production, the H350 offers the ability to certify production through an established control mechanism. The machine offers easy upkeep and long-lasting industrial-grade print heads. Fewer restrictions in part orientation mean high nesting density, which maximises the number of parts per build.

Mass production of end-use parts
Stratasys’ Origin One is an evolution of Digital Light Processing (DLP) and vat-photopolymerisation, based on new Programmable Photopolymerisation (P3) technology where light selectively cures liquid resin. The 3-D printer enables mass production of end-use parts in a diverse range of high-performance materials, consistently, with accurate detail.

Low-force pneumatic separation enables Origin One’s Programmable Photopolymerization (P3) process to print complex geometries, including fine features and large cross-sections, without the need for supports. The P3 process offers exceptional surface finish, equal to CNC machining and injection moulding, and users can manufacture on demand without inventory or retooling penalties.

With an optimised build volume, the Origin One’s compact footprint and minimal power requirements result in a simple and fast post-processing workflow, with minimal facility requirements. It makes scaled production feasible for manufacturers.

On-board analytics, combined with automatic pressure, separation force and temperature regulation, ensure the first part is the same as the last. The 3-D printer has a wide range of single component, commercial-grade materials, developed on and validated for Origin One, including rigid, elastomers and high temp resins. As well as being able to be changed in minutes, these materials are capable of 3-D printing details under 50µm.

Mr Tyrtania added: “Seeing the 3-D printers in action really helps existing users looking at new iterations of 3-D printing technology, and prospective customers understand how AM can be used for production parts within the whole digital workflow. It also helps demonstrate which technology will suit their application better. The Origin One is already running on customer production jobs in DMC’s live production environment showcasing volume production and efficiency.”

The DMC is a sector agnostic digital production facility with a focus on engineering-led solutions. It has many customers in the automotive, aerospace and medical industries but the facility can be used by all market sectors.

From a variety of AM systems and materials, through to finishing and inspection services, the DMC has been designed from the ground up with full traceability throughout the entire production process. The 2,000m² facility has been developed alongside several industry-leading technical partners.

The facility will soon be certified to AS9100.revD and uses PPAP (Part Production Approval Process) and NPI (New Product Introduction) practices to offer a wide range of technologies including polymers, metals, carbons and silicones.