The Vida cDLM is fast as well as large, with a print speed of about 20-50 mm per hour, depending on the material. This is about half the time that the best-selling Vida 3D printer takes. It features a big print area of 145 x 81.5 x 100 mm (5.7 x 3.2 x 3.94 inches) and XY resolution of 76 microns. When used with EnvisionTEC’s E-Model Light material, the Vida cDLM is capable of 3D printing:
- 10-12 vertical orthodontic models in 100 micron layers in about 90 minutes
- 3-4 horizontal orthodontic models in 100 micron layers in about 15-30 minutes
- 3-4 full crown and bridge arches in 50 micron layers in about an hour
With the FDA-approved E-Guard material, the Vida cDLM can 3D print night guards and bite splints in about 15 to 20 minutes. With the FDA-approved E-Denture material, the Vida cDLM can 3D print six denture bases in 80 minutes at a speed of 47 mm per hour.
The Vida cDLM is based on EnvisionTEC’s Continuous Digital Light Processing technology. The company commercialized DLP technology in 2002, then received a patent for continuous 3D printing in 2011. Continuous 3D printing relies on a build platform that never stops moving in the Z axis, resulting in high speed 3D printing with fewer supports. The technology isn’t perfect, however; EnvisionTEC notes that continuous 3D printing can’t always deliver accurate parts consistently over larger build areas. Using oxygen to create a tent zone in which to print continuously can cause the material to tent slightly from pressure of the oxygen. This can cause serious inaccuracies in the Z axis, which can compromise dental products. EnvisionTEC is now using a patent-pending domeless material tray that remains flat and parallel during continuous 3D printing, allowing for consistent accuracy over the entire build area.The Vida cDLM is the latest in a lineup of cDLM 3D printers, which also includes:
- Vida HD cDLM, with XY resolution of 50 microns and a build area of 90 x 50 x 100 mm (3.54 x 1.97 x 3.94 in.)
- Vida UHD cDLM, with XY resolution of 33 microns and a build area of 63.3 x 35.6 x 100 mm (2.5 x 1.4 x 3.94 in.)
- Micro cDLM, with XY resolution of 39.8 microns and a build area of 45 x 28 x 75 mm (1.8 x 1.1 x 2.95 in.)
The Vida cDLM will be on display at LMT Lab Day, along with EnvisionTEC’s other dental products and partners, in Booths A-43 and B-42. EnvisionTEC will also be hosting educational sessions in the Hyatt Regency Chicago’s Roosevelt Room on Friday, February 23rd from 10 AM to 3 PM.
Discuss this and other 3D printing topics at 3DPrintBoard.com or share your thoughts below.