3D printers function by extruding melted filament into a predetermined shape and building a model layer by layer. If you want to have a multicolor model, you would have to paint your model in post-processing or swap your filament color while printing. Some fancier 3D printers can automatically swap between several filament colors while printing, which creates multicolor prints. However, all of these methods involve many spools of filament, lots of effort, and a significant amount of waste. What if there was another way?
Enter full-color 3D printing. Using a UV curable inkjet system, white or clear liquid resin is first fired out of the printer’s print head and dyed with a specific color or combination of colors. A roller then flattens out the layer, and this process is repeated until the print is finished. In other words, these printers function like 2D inkjet printers, only they are capable of printing multiple layers on top of each other. This means that you can avoid the tedious processes of painting completed models or separating models into several sections to print in different colors. Instead, only one print is required (see image)!
Compared to ordinary 3D printers, only a few companies currently sell full-color 3D printers. One standout is Mimaki, which is capable of printing over 10,000,000 colors with its 3DUJ-2207 printer. Imagine having 10,000,000 spools of various colored filaments! This printer even includes the option for water-soluble supports for more complex prints, a feature that could save many hours compared to ordinary plastic breakaway supports. Ordinary 3D printers also tend to be accurate to about ±0.1 mm, while the 3DUJ-2207 is accurate to 30 micrometers, or 0.03 mm.
Now, you might be asking, what’s the catch? Well, the 3DUJ-2207 only has a build volume of 8 x 8 x 3 inches, with the height being a major limiting factor. It also comes with a hefty price tag of $39,995. If you would like to print larger objects, you would have to purchase the 3DUJ-553 color 3D printer, which has a build volume of 20 x 20 x 12 inches and costs $188,995. You may also need assistance transporting the printer, as it weighs 1,323 lb. and is larger than a refrigerator.
Overall, full-color 3D printers are a promising technology, with technical specifications far beyond consumer-grade 3D printers. While they are currently too cost-prohibitive for most organizations and individuals to acquire, these printers may one day revolutionize the additive manufacturing industry.
Comentários