3D Systems Introduces New 3D Printing Materials, Expanded Software, and an Upgraded 3D Printer

Springtime is when many of us get especially ambitious and motivated, and it seems as though the major players in the 3D printing industry are no exception. This month has seen several big announcements from the largest companies in the field, including Stratasys and 3D Systems, and neither of them appears to be done yet, with Stratasys announcing yet another new 3D printer earlier today. Now 3D Systems has unveiled a spate of new products, only a day after they told us all about their rapidly progressing Figure 4 technology.

VisiJet M2R-TN

As 3D Systems President and CEO Vyomesh Joshi (VJ) commented yesterday, it all starts with materials, and the company has several new ones on offer as of today.

“It starts with materials,” VJ told 3DPrint.com yesterday, “when you think about the dental industry, scanners are already now implemented especially in dental labs; that digitization is the first step. Now we have a printer that has contributions in repeatability and materials. Without materials, you’re not going to create parts for use in the mouth.”

Like the rest of the 3D printing world, or so it seems, 3D Systems is capitalizing on this week’s International Dental Show to introduce new dental 3D printing products – in this case, it’s a new material called VisiJet M2R-TN, a rigid, tan-hued resin designed for the printing of dental models. Accompanying it are two additional VisiJet materials for the MJP 2500 platform: rigid black (VisiJet M2R-BK), rigid white (VisiJet M2R-WT) and rigid clear (VisiJet M2R-CL). Jewelry and industrial casting are also getting some new material with the expansion of 3D Systems’ MultiJet Wax family of resins. ProJet MJP 2500W and VisiJet M2 CAST RealWax are the latest additions.

Meanwhile, 3D Systems has also extended their 3D Sprint software across the MultiJet 3D printer family, including the ProJet MJP 3510/3500 and 3600 Series printers, all ProJet MJP 2500 Series printers and the ProJet 1200. Eventually the company plans to extend the software, which provides design, preparation and management tools, to all of their plastic 3D printers. Customers can download it here.

“Our most recent developments expand the capabilities and innovation of our customers across key verticals to dramatically improve their digital workflow,” said Jim Ruder, Senior Vice President of Plastics, 3D Systems. “We are committed to providing solutions that deliver productivity, repeatability, durability and improved total cost of operations to drive real 3D production for our customers.”

3D Systems isn’t neglecting their metals, however. The company has also introduced four new LaserForm metal materials, including:

• LaserForm Ni625 (A), a nickel cobalt chrome material with high temperature and corrosion resistance and high strength
• LaserForm CoCrF75 (A), a cobalt chrome material with high temperature, corrosion and wear resistance. Ideal applications include medical tools and devices, dental implants and prostheses, molds and dies, and high wear industrial applications.
• LaserForm 17-4PH (A), a tough stainless steel material with excellent strength and corrosion resistance
• LaserForm AlSi10Mg (A), a lightweight aluminum material with good mechanical properties and high thermal conductivity. It’s especially well-suited to aerospace, automotive and industrial applications.

3D Systems also introduced the new DMP Vision process monitoring hardware and software kit for the ProX DMP 320. DMP Vision enables layer-by-layer image data and analytics to help users increase metal 3D printing precision and quality control. In addition, next month the company will begin bundling their 3DXpert workflow software with all of their direct metal 3D printers. We saw the 3DXpert workflow process in a live demonstration at formnext just a few months ago as the 3D Systems team showcased its efficacy.

“The addition of DMP Vision and 3DXpert, combined with our new LaserForm materials, enhances our ability to deliver leading precision metal solutions to customers who require the highest standards for surface finish, resolution and quality parts,” said Kevin McAlea, EVP, General Manager, Metals & Healthcare, 3D Systems.

The ProJet CJP 260Plus

Oh, and did we mention that 3D Systems is introducing a new 3D printer as well? The ProJet CJP 260Plus is their latest full-color offering, designed for anatomical modeling in healthcare and concept modeling for product development. It’s the company’s most compact full-color 3D printer, and it offers full CMY color in a closed-loop powder loading, removal and recycling system. 3D Systems will be offering a program for current owners of the ProJet CJP 260 to upgrade to the Plus.

3D Systems is currently displaying their new products at the Additive Manufacturing Users Group (AMUG) Conference in Chicago, taking place from March 19 to 23. If you’re there, drop by and visit them at Booths D8 and D8a. Discuss in the 3D Systems forum at 3DPB.com.