3D printer, fast, large scale production
3D printer large scale production up to three times faster than conventional FFF
Mimaki Europe has launched the Mimaki 3DGD-1800 3D printer, facilitating large scale production up to three times faster than with conventional fused filament fabrication (FFF) type 3D printers. It connects the company’s 2D printing expertise and 3D technology innovations, providing customers with a cost effective, total solution for 3D sign and display applications. Capable of producing objects up to 1.8 metres tall in just seven hours with its assembly-based design allowing for the creation of even larger designs, this 3D printing system boasts several time- and cost- saving features including dual-head configuration to enable the simultaneous output of two structures.
The Mimaki 3DGD-1800 facilitates the production of support-free hollowed structures, further streamlining production while allowing for increased portability and the possible addition of interior illuminations. This technology will open up a diverse range of potential applications from signage, events and creative art through to interior design. Customers can utilise Mimaki’s extensive portfolio of 2D print solutions to cost-effectively decorate these applications, opening doors to a range of products that combine creativity and innovation with Mimaki’s tried and tested high quality results. “Part of what makes our approach unique here at Mimaki is our dedication to being a Total Solutions Provider and as such we have ensured that even beyond the 3D printing stage, our Mimaki inkjet printers can then be utilised to add colour and décor, making created objects even more impressive and immensely versatile,” comments senior product manager Bert Benckhuysen.
“With our unique vision, wealth of experience from across the print industry and unwavering commitment to innovation, we intend to lead the sign graphics industry in both two- and three-dimensional signage and the introduction of the Mimaki 3DGD-1800 is a fantastic step torward achieving this goal.” The Mimaki 3DGD-1800 is set to revolutionise the way in which large-sized objects are created, enabling a switch from costly and time-consuming conventional handcrafting methods which require significant expertise, to effortless, high speed production utilising 3D data. Whereas large objects have traditionally been produced by manually sculpting foam materials, Mimaki’s new 3D printing system transforms this process right through from concept to manufacture; designs can be visualised as a finished product just based on the 3D data and then produced in various sizes from a single data set.
Contrary to other 3D printing methods involving hot-melt lamination, the 3DGD-1800 employs gel dispensing printing technology, extruding gel-type UV curable resin lineally and utilising LED UV light to instantly cure the resin, enabling lamination speeds of up to 350mm in height per hour. The 3DGD-1800 3D printer is expected to present sign makers with new opportunities across a number of diverse sectors, with the potential to easily create life-sized displays, event decorations, movie props and large product mock-ups, as well as quickly and efficiently producing industrial production parts including moulds for vacuum forming, helping manufacturers to reduce their lead times. “We are very excited to be able to bring such a transformative product to market,” continues Bert. “With unprecedented modelling speeds and the possibility to create enormous objects even beyond the sizeable formation area, the 3DGD-1800 represents a real transformation in large-sized production.
“Combined with the superior quality that we have become known for at Mimaki, the potential impact of this new 3D printer is tremendous, particularly for the sign and display market but also far beyond that.” Brett Newman, chief operations manager at UK and Ireland Mimaki distributor Hybrid Services, comments: “This is an exciting release from Mimaki that will be of great interest to the UK and Ireland 3D printing market.
“Mimaki’s continued innovation in 3D printing, combined with its heritage across 2D printing provides a wonderfully unique approach that will give a complete solution for print service providers.”