Mar 15, 2019 | By Thomas
Nanofabrica, an Israel-based developer of precision additive manufacturing technologies, has announced the commercial launch of its micro-level resolution AM technology.
A micro honeycomb structure in PP, with wall thicknesses of ~20 microns over a height of a few mm. Part size: 1.6 x 1.8 x 2.3 mm. Print time: 80 minutes. Print layer: 2 microns. Image credit: Nanofabrica
"To date, key AM platform developers have struggled to achieve a resolution under 50 microns, and the few micro-manufacturing AM technologies that exist are either extremely expensive in terms of machine and per-part costs, extremely slow, or have rigid size limitations," said Nanofabrica CEO Jon Donner.
Nanofabrica's patented process is based on Digital Light Processing (DLP), which is combined with adaptive optics to achieve repeatable micron levels of resolution. This tool in conjunction with an array of sensors allows for a closed feedback loop. And this is the first time that adaptive optics have been applied to AM technology, according to Nanofabrica.
A micro gear made from ABS used in an inkjet wide format industrial 2D printer. Part size: 1.3 x 1.3 x 0.4mm. Print time: 35 minutes, Print layer: 2 microns. Image credit: Nanofabrica
Nanofabrica’s AM platform is said to be able to achieve a one-micron resolution over centimeter-sized parts. With its 50 x 50 x 100 mm build volume, it can output thousands of parts in a single build. To enable these, a number of technologies have been combined.
Specifically, Nanofabrica’s AM platform combines adaptive optics with technology from the semiconductor industry. By working at the intersection of semiconductors and AM, Nanofabrica is able to build large “macro” parts with intricate micro details. And it can also do so up to up to 100 times faster than other micro AM platforms by introducing a multi resolution strategy. Parts requiring fine details are printed relatively slowly, but in areas of the part where such attention to detail is superfluous, the parts are printed at a speeds 10 to 100 times faster.
Founded in 2016, Nanofabrica has identified applications for its AM technology in optics, semi-conductors, micro electronics, MEMS, micro fluidics and life sciences. Products that may benefit, according to the company, include casings for microelectronics, micro springs, micro actuators and micro sensors, along with numerous medical applications such as micro valves, micro syringes, and micro implantable or surgical devices.
Posted in 3D Printing Technology
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