Photopolymer-Based 3D Printing – Advantages and Challenges

Figure 4 Tough 60c White In Hand

Superior Aesthetic Part Quality 
Photopolymer-based 3D printing technology (include hardware) is recognized within the additive technology industry to deliver the smoothest surface quality, finest detail resolution and most realistic looking plastic parts – similar to injection molded quality parts. 

Excellent Overall Versatility 
Photopolymer-based 3D printing is also known for its overall versatility, including relatively low initial acquisition cost, efficiency, simplicity of printing and system maintenance, relatively fast print speeds with small/medium space footprint. 

Material Performance & Part Longevity
Despite over 25 years of use, photopolymer part performance and longevity has mainly been limited to design prototyping. Mechanical performance of printed photopolymer parts tends to degrade rapidly, especially when exposed to additional UV and humidity environments. Parts typically remained useful only for days and weeks. This has now been solved with the introduction of new environmentally stable photopolymers: 

 

Long-term Environmental Stability -- ‘Curing’ the Weak Spot of Photopolymer Resins

  • 3D Systems is now elevating 3D printing to new levels of performance with its Figure 4 3D printing materials. Ultra-fast print speeds, batch-run processing, isotropic strength and part quality comparable to injection molding are now combined with patent-pending material chemistry that ensure printed parts remain functional and stable for prolonged durations in any environment. 

    • Patented Material Chemistry Delivers Long-Term Mechanical Performance and Stability – Indoor and Outdoor

    The latest Figure 4 3D printing materials feature patent-pending chemistry advances that ensure long-lasting indoor stability and mechanical performance. 

    Typical photopolymer 3D printed parts feature a rapid decline in mechanical property performance immediately after printing. 

    In contrast, 3D Systems’ production-capable Figure 4 materials exhibit very similar out-of-printer tensile strength (MPa) and impact strength (J/m) even after 8 years of accelerated indoor aging tests and after 1.5 years of accelerated outdoor weather tests, per ASTM D4329 and ASTM G194 testing methods. 

  • Figure 4 Indoor Aging Stability 940 x 494
    Figure 4 Outdoor Weathering Stability

The Latest Direct Production-Capable Materials Now Available

  • Figure 4 High Temp 150C FR Black

    Halogen-free resin material with a very high HDT for all types of flame retardant applications including printed circuit board covers and housings that require UL 94 V0 test rating, under hood automotive circuit board housings, covers and harness retention components and aerospace FAR 23/25 in-cabin parts.
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  • Figure 4 High Temp 150C FR Black
  • Figure 4 Tough 60c White In Hand

  • Figure 4 Tough 60C White

    Resin suitable for repeatable, high mechanical loads at elevated temperatures. Ideal for ABS-like skin-touch wearables and medical parts requiring ISO10993/5&10 biocompatibility
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  • Figure 4 Tough 65C Black

    Resins suitable for repeatable, high mechanical loads at elevated temperatures. Ideal for consumer or industrial buckles, brackets, sensors, handles, clips, holders, and mounts.
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  • Figure 4 Tough 65C Black Part In Hand
  • figure 4 rigid gray unassembled vent

  • Figure 4 Rigid Gray

    Resin ideal for all types of rigid static plastic parts including covers, panels, trim, especially parts requiring painting and plating
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  • Accura AMX Rigid Black

    Production-grade stereolithography resin featuring long-term environmental stability for large-scale plastic parts with demanding mechanical performance requirements and exceptional surface finish.
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  • Accura AMX Rigid Black Duct

Our Portfolio of Production-Capable Materials

3d systems figure 4 rigid white inline enclosure

Figure 4 Rigid White

Opaque rigid white production-grade plastic

A clip vent printed with Figure 4 PRO-BLK 10

Figure 4 PRO-BLK 10

Production-grade, rigid material for production parts

High temperature resistant translucent plastic with HDT over 300 °C

Figure 4 HI TEMP 300-AMB

High temperature resistant translucent plastic with HDT over 300 °C

figure 4 tough black 65c hands on throttle-and-stick unassembled

Figure 4 Tough 65C Black

Black plastic for long-term use parts with a good combination of impact strength, elongation, and tensile strength.

  • Application Innovation Group

    Our team can help you solve your most difficult design and production challenges with additive manufacturing solutions. Together we’ll identify your needs, working with you to optimize your designs, prototype, validate and define a manufacturing flow.