EnvisionTEC M-Type material tray
The M-Type disposable material tray in action.
EnvisionTEC, a leading manufacturer of desktop and industrial 3D printing platforms, has announced a disposable material tray for a range of its desktop machines.
Launching the 3D printing accessory from the JCK Las Vegas, and although the company has previously launched products specifically designed for jewellery, it appears the M-Type tray will be compatible with the company’s more versatile platforms.
Developed and tested in EnvisionTEC’s research and facility in Gladbeck, Germany, the M-Type is to be offered to customers of the Micro and Vida line of 3D printers, as an optional replacement for the current Pre-Stretched Assembly (PSA) tray system. The M-Type features optical glass coating in a film similar to a Mylar-type film, while the outer perimeter of the tray is made from flexible silicone. EnvisionTEC says the M-Type makes easier the separation of each exposure layer during the build of a 3D printed object.
“This new material tray system makes using EnvisionTEC desktop 3D printers even easier and more affordable,” said CEO Al Siblani. “Our company has offered a similar tray for years on our original desktop models, such as the Aureas and Apollo, as well as some Perfactory models. And although the PSA still has benefits for many applications, we decided to bring this cost-saving approach to our Micro and Vida lines, too.”
While the Micro and Vida desktop lines are highlighted as efficient solutions for jewellery designers by EnvisionTEC, the printers can also be harnessed for use in educational settings, industrial applications, and the creation of dental and medical devices.
The M-Type tray will be available in North America later this summer, though pricing cannot be confirmed due to differences in global market areas. EnvisionTEC suggests a tray can last between three to four months in routine use and, unlike the PSA model, is easily disposable. The PSA had to be professionally replaced by EnvisionTEC personnel.
