New Vida cDLM offers a larger build volume with a XY resolution of 76 microns and a print speed of approx. 20-50 mm per hour.
With the dental 3D printing market predicted to grow to around 9.5 million USD by 2027, it's no surprise we're seeing an influx of technologies that will take digital dentistry to widespread adoption. At LMT Dab Day last week, several 3D printing companies, including Stratasys and 3D Systems, introduced a number of new machines and materials to the market, and amongst them was EnvisionTEC, which launched its largest high-speed continuous 3D printer to date along with a new low-cost material.
Building on the company's growing family of continuous 3D printers including the first Vida cDLM which was launched at last year's event, the new Vida cDLM offers a build volume of 145 x 81.5 x 100 mm with a XY resolution of 76 microns and a print speed of about 20-50 mm per hour. Material-depending, EnvisionTEC says the Vida cDLM can print models in half the time of its best-selling Vida desktop machine. For example, when used with EnvisionTEC's premium E-Model Light material, the Vida cDLM can 3D print 10-12 vertical orthodontic models in 100-micron layers in 90 minutes or night guards and bite splints in about 15-20 minutes using EnvisionTEC's FDA-approved E-Guard material.
E-Ortholign is a biocompatible material for direct 3D printing of what is known as a "first aligner".
In addition, EnvisionTEC launched two new materials at the Chicago event. The first is E-OrthoShape, a resin designed for fast and affordable volume production of models on which to produce clear thermoformed aligners. Priced at $175 per kilogram, the resin is a grey ABS-like material which can print in in up to 100 micron layers on any EnvisionTEC DLP machine.
The second is E-Ortholign, a biocompatible material which is currently progressing through regulatory approval processes. E-Ortholign is designed for direct 3D printing of what is known as the "first aligner" - a device used after an orthodontist removes a patient's brackets to hold teeth in place, before the treatment is completed with a series of thermoformed aligners. The material allows dental professionals in either a lab or office setting to create a first aligner after an impression or scan is taken of a patient's teeth following the bracket removal. The tray can be created while a patient waits and before standard thermoformed aligners are manufactured.
Left to right: E-Model Light and new E-OrthoShape
EnvisionTEC will continue to offer its popular E-Model Light material, which unlike E-Ortholign, can be used for the production of high-accuracy dental and orthodontic models at 50-micron layers that can be used for soldering appliances, restorative work and thermoformed aligner production. EnvisionTEC will also continue to offer E-Denstone and E-Appliance for customers who prefer those materials.
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