UV LED curing technology is a perfect fit for 3D printing and additive manufacturing due to the compact size, ease of integration, and high intensity output achieved through optimized thermal management of the LEDs.  LED technology allows users to cure heat-sensitive materials offering new revenue opportunities for printers. The reliability of LED equipment greatly benefits the rapidly expanding 3D printing industry by providing stable curing for extending printing cycles, increasing print accuracy.

The small form factor of UV LED technology enables smaller printing machines as well as the ability to print with a larger range of materials. This is due to the reduced heat generated by LEDs versus traditional UV curing sources. During the process of 3D printing, each layer must be cooled and cured immediately after it is jetted. UV LED curing technology offers advanced capability and can be used for the UV 3D printing of jewelry, footwear, prototypes, automotive parts, and many other applications.

Application Overview

PolyJet is one of the mainstream 3D printing technologies today. The PolyJet 3D printer sprays photosensitive resin material layer by layer onto the print tray until the parts are completed. Each layer of material is cured with ultraviolet light while being sprayed and can be taken out and used immediately without secondary curing. It can realize the combination of color and multi-materials in a single printing to produce a prototype close to the real product. It can also be used to print quick molds and verify product designs. Full-color multi-material 3D printer can mix six materials at the same time to achieve 500,000 colors, different textures, transparency, and softness. Products are widely used in medicine, education, engineering models.

Equipment Advantages with UV LED Technology

Using the Phoseon FireEdge™ FE400 air-cooled curing light source, end customers can run stably for a long time (the model printing cycle of the model is more than 48 hours). The printing process with highest efficiency, printing accuracy and yield can fulfill end customer’s stringent requirements.

Compared with domestic and foreign LED light source manufacturers, the key advantages of Phoseon LED light source include:

1.     Small and compact structure: Very suitable for the limited space and complicated installation structure of the printer. And there are basically no wearing parts, eliminating the need for replacement and maintenance.

2.     Stable performance: With Phoseon’s TargetCure™ technology (https://phoseon.com/industrial-curing/technology/targetcure/) the continuous stable and reliable output of the light source ensures the quality consistency of the printed objects. UV-LED provides fast, consistent and reliable curing every time, minimizing waste.

3.     High-power air-cooled design: Air-cooled heat dissipation and exhaust prevent water pipes from occupying the internal space. High intensity UV irradiation can improve the surface drying performance of each layer of the resin, thereby ensures the printing accuracy of the model.

4.     Instant on/off: It can be used immediately without preheating and can seamlessly match the response time of the inkjet nozzle. It is especially suitable for scanning high-speed printing. Utilizing UV-LED technology, UV-sensitive properties enable rapid layering and curing using low energy UV light. The instant on/off function of LED lamps enables 3D printers to cure as quickly and constantly per the need of the printing process therefore optimizing production - something not easily achieved using traditional UV lamps. Phoseon Technology’s UV LED cures to print super-size lightweight objects at a remarkable speed.

5.     Customizable and user-ready: Phoseon Technology’s UV-LED curing speed delivers “ready” objects right off the printer; no post-curing or post processing is required. The final printed object is very receptive to multiple types of finishes. That allows the 3D object to be painted or decorated to create complex and eye-catching designs. The LED technology also allows to create multiple shapes and designs that meet end customer needs

6.     Energy saving and environmental protection: Safe and stable UV-A products without mercury, ozone, or radiation. Phoseon Technology’s UV-LED lights are an environmentally friendly alternative to traditional UV arc lamps, which contain mercury. In addition, UV-LED lamps last longer and use less energy than traditional curing methods, which reduces operational costs and increases energy savings as much as ninety percent.

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