Proto Labs PolyJet stethoscope
A doctor's stethoscope 3D printed with PolyJet technology.
Online and technology-enabled quick-turn manufacturer, Proto Labs has announced the addition of Stratasys’ PolyJet technology to its industrial 3D printing service.
At the Advanced Design & Manufacturing Expo in Cleveland, Proto Labs revealed the latest technology expansion for its 3D printing division, which the company believes exemplifies its effort to broaden its scope. PolyJet provides product designers and engineers with the ability to manufacture elastomeric and over-moulded prototypes without investing in tooling.
Product developers can leverage PolyJet to create 3D-printed parts, comprised of both elastomeric and rigid materials, as well as multiple colours. Its material selection includes multiple Shore A strength of tear-resistant Agilus 30 for increased durability. PolyJet parts exhibit smooth surface finishes and can support complex geometries with flexible features.
“The addition of PolyJet is a testament to our effort to further expand our capabilities in a technology-agnostic manner,” said Rich Baker, CTO at Proto Labs. “We firmly believe in providing a variety of manufacturing options so that our customers can choose the best process for their particular application.”
Building parts layer by layer, PolyJet machines jet out droplets of liquid photopolymers onto the build platform where they are immediately UV-cured. Once the build is complete, the support structures can be removed, and the parts are ready without requiring any further additional finishing.
With this latest addition, Proto Labs now includes four technologies: stereolithography, selective laser sintering, direct metal laser sintering, and PolyJet. Proto Labs’ proprietary software and digital approach to manufacturing allows customers to upload a 3D CAD file of their design to the Proto Labs website, receive a quote instantly, and have 3D printed parts delivered within a few days.
Proto Labs is among the world’s fastest digital manufacturing sources for custom prototypes and low-volume production parts. The technology-enabled company takes advantage of 3D printing, CNC machining and injection-moulding to produce parts within days. Using these advanced technologies results in an impressive time-to-market value for designers and engineers, and an on-demand resource throughout a product’s life cycle.
