John Burn BluePrinter
John Burn has been appointed as the official reseller in the UK and Ireland for Danish company BluePrinter.
This is an exciting prospect for the Birmingham-based company as the BluePrinter technology is one of the newest 3D printing processes to emerge in the last eight years. 3D printing is becoming more and more influential in industry and we have seen many new players introduce new 3D printers to the market, but they have typically been based on similar technologies. The BluePrinter's Selective heat Sintering (SHS) technology is new and will offer users a distinct advantage when it comes to low cost and robust alternative to the traditionally expensive SLS process, which is often beyond the reach of smaller companies.
John Burn expects delivery of the first BluePrinter at their UK 3D printing studio in mid June and will be bringing the BluePrinter to The TCT Show in September at the Birmingham NEC.
Gilles Coulombeau, Chairman at John Burn said: "We are delighted to have signed this agreement with BluePrinter APS to promote and support the sale of their products in UK and Ireland.
"We see their innovative SHS technology as fulfilling the demand for cost-effective 3D-printed parts covering the whole form-fit-function range. We are ready to welcome the BluePrinter into our Birmingham Studio this month to demonstrate this novel technology alongside our other 3D printers."
The BluePrinter's proprietary SHS technology is similar to laser sintering and facilitates the printing of professional plastic 3D models. Like laser sintering, SHS produces complex parts which are robust and simple to print but much more cost-effective. SHS technology differs from laser sintering technology in that it uses a thermal print head as opposed to a laser. The thermal print head applies heat on layers of thermoplastic powder in the build chamber, thus making the forming of any complex geometry possible. SHS 3D printing is therefore the economic alternative for the creation of inexpensive prototypes for concept evaluation, fit/form and functional testing, as well as of complex geometries with moving parts. The technology is highly efficient, for example multiple 3D models can be created, several 3D models can be loaded and printed at the same time, and printing solid models can be performed within a short space of time. Moreover, there is no need for support material or post-curing of models.
SHS and Printer Features
- SHS™ technology uses a thermal print head as opposed to a laser in SLS machines
- The thermal print head applies heat on layers of thermoplastic powder in the build chamber
- Free forming of any complex geometry (minimum wall thickness is 1 mm)
- Load and print several 3D models
- 100 per cent web-based interface (work with Windows, Mac and Linux)
- Removal of excess powder can take place inside the printer or in a separately powder removal station (accessory).
Specifications
- Build chamber (mm): 160 x 200 x 140 (W x L x H)
- Printing speed: 5-7 mm/hour
- Layer thickness: 0.1 mm
- File formats: STL
- Printer dimensions (cm): 100 x 60 x 60 (W x L x H).
Materials
- Thermoplastic powder optimised to work with SHS Technology
- Monochrome white
- Unused powder is 100 per cent recyclable
- No need for additional support materials - models being built are supported by the powder in the build chamber.
