resin 3D printer

With time, 3D printing and LCD 3D printers have become very popular to offer the user isotopic, watertight and higher accuracy prototypes and different types of parts.

Those parts are made of advanced and high-quality material with smooth surface finish and delicate features. There was a time when such machines were considered costly machines, and not all could use the machines.

However, things have changed a lot, and now you can buy the best printer under your budget.

The rapid advancements in the 3D printing industry continue to change the way most businesses use to do the production and prototyping. The technology is getting more accessible and affordable; engineers, designers, and beyond are using resin 3D printing in their workflows.  

On the other hand, the market is now full of different types of 3D printers that can effectively help you to get your project done. So, this is where you may face a little confusion as you don’t know which one will be the best for you.

Don’t worry at all as we have given detailed information here that will help you choose the right 3D printers, especially a resin 3d printer. Now you might be wondering about what resin 3D printing is?

What do you mean by resin 3D printing?

In simple words, this is a part of the family of additive manufacturing technologies. This process effectively and accurately cures liquid photopolymers with layers to create a solid 3D model.  It may be noted that this is not the official name, but as the machines work utilizing resin, they are called resin 3D printers. Here are some things that define resin 3D printing.

• The machine functions based on the code that is uploaded in the form of a digital model.
• To create objects, they use photopolymerization principles.
• This printing is done by using daylight or UV resins.
• Resin or printing material is stored in a resin tank or vat.

Photopolymerization is the liquid material’s chemical reaction, and this process changes the properties when it comes in contact with UV, laser, or any other light sources. In the scientific term, it is described as light-activated resins, and in the world of 3D printing, it is called resin.

Before going deep into this, let’s start with the most basic question, i.e., what do you mean by an LCD 3D printer.

Before getting deep into this matter, let’s know what resin 3D printing is and then discuss how LCD 3D printers work.

Now, speaking about resin 3D printing, it is also known as Polymerization. It comes in three different primary types, and these are LCD, DLP, and SLA. Despite the fact SLA printing technology is getting outdated, some 3D printers come with this SLA printing technology.

Even though this article will primarily focus on LCD, FDM, and DLP printing technology, it will be better for you to know how SLA printing technology works.

When choosing the fastest resin 3d printer a few years back, SLA printers were considered the best option. This is the eldest method. SLA- Stereolithography utilizes laser technology, and the laser is directed by galvanometers. Here the laser cures the resin. You can consider the Galvanometers as mirrors that guide laser beams through the transparent tank to the 3D printing platform.

Now, coming to the DLP- Digital Light Processing, this printing technology uses a digital light projector for resin curing to make accurate 3D models instead of a laser. Here, the light is directed by a DMD- Digital Micromirror Device. In the 3D printers, DMD is a significant component that combines thousands of tiny mirrors.

The DLP printing technology printer creates layers that include voxels. These are the 3D equivalent of pixels. The reason behind this is that the pro screen of the projector is also made of pixels.

Talking about LCD 3D printers, they are the same as DLP 3D printers.  Under the LCD 3D printing, the machine flashes the layers at the vast, but the UV lights come from LEDs and then projected onto an LCD.  A screen will work as a mask, and the screen will only reveal the pixels required to form the layers.

It may be noted that LCD is a robust technology, and it produces high-resolution 3D models, and you can even use cheaper 3D printing material to create detailed and complex 3D models. You will find that most of the top resin 3d printers also use LCD printing technology.

Some benefits of LCD 3D printers

• Delicate and detailed printing.
• Can anti-alias edges for 4 to 8 times to eliminate horizontal lines.
• To ensure continuous 3D printing, the machines create robust heat dissipation.
• You don’t have to level the machine to use it.  So, this is good for beginners.
• The precision level is high, and you can see all the details correctly.
• The machines will offer a stable power supply during the printing process.
• When it comes to manufacturing complex 3D models and structure, you can always trust LCD 3D printers.

Now, let’s understand what an LCD is and its evolution

1.1, What does LCD mean and where does it come from

Speaking about LCD- Liquid Crystal Display, it is basically a flat-panel display, or you can say electronically modulated optical devices that utilize light-modulating technology and combine the liquid crystal properties with polarizers.  Here, the liquid crystal will not directly emit light. They use a reflector to create images in monochrome or color.

This plays a significant role in human lives. Liquid Crystal’s first application was observed in 1968.

LCD’s background

In 1888, the Austrian botanic physiologist Friedrich Reinitzer invented the liquid crystalline from carrots and published the findings at the Vienne Chemical Society. Charles Mauguin, in 1911 experimented with liquid crystal between plates in different thin layers.

After going through many processes, in the year 1962, Richard Williams from RCA Corporation started his research about the NLC- Nematic Liquid Crystal properties. After achieving massive success in this, Williams filed an LCD patent in the same year. The LCD patent was granted after five years, i.e., in 1967.

After one year, in 1968, RCA Corporation makes the LCD technology official, and during a press conference, the company said that very soon everyone can expect to see a thin television in their homes hanging in a room.

With time, the LCD technology went through many improvements, and in 2011, Toshiba launched its 6.1-inches LCD panel that produced a resolution of 2560p x 1600p.

There are a lot of LCD technologies that have been developed; however, we are waiting for further research. Few examples are cholesteric LCD, blue phase mode, photo-alignment technology, and more. All these technologies will take the LCD panels to a new level.

How LCDs work?

While making LCDs, there are three critical facts that you need to consider. These are:

• You should use polarized light.
• LCD’s basic structure needs to be controlled by altering the applied current.
• The liquid crystals of the panel should control the operations to change and transmit the polarized light.

When you apply an electrical current to the liquid, the crystal molecule will remain to untwist. This action will cause the angle of light, which passes through the molecule of the polarized glass. Besides, this also creates a change in the top polarizing filter’s angle.  A little amount of light is allowed to go through the polarized glass affecting the LCD’s particular area.

When it happens, that area will become darker. All the LCD panels function by blocking light.

Due to the advantage of a lower level of power consumption, LCDs are now being used for various gadgets and electronic devices, such as computers, TVs, video games, monitors, smartphones, and more.

1.2, How does an LCD 3D printer work?

All the LCD 3D printers utilize an array of UV LCDs and work as the light source for the 3D printing process. Here the light coming from the flat LCD panels focus directly, in a similar way, onto the platform.

As the light can’t be expanded, the distortion will be less. The printing quality of the LCD printers, or you can say a resin-based 3d printer depends on the level of LCD density. If the amount of the pixel is more, the print quality will be better.

What this means is that the print quality of an LCD printer depends on its LCD density. The more pixels it has, the better the print quality.  Now, let’s have a close look at how LCD or high-resolution resin 3d printer works.

• First, the resin tank, located on the top of the printer, is filled with high-quality resin material. Remember to check the printing material supported by the 3D printers. It is advisable to choose a resin 3D printer that can support different types of materials. For example, you can go for LCD or FDM resin 3d printers from dreambot3d that support PLA, TPU, 95A, water-soluble materials, woody PLA, customizable ABS, PC, PETG, nylon, carbon fiber,glass fiber addition materials, etc. If you go for ME-125 and ME-345 printers, you don’t have to out resin manually as they support automatic feeding function. So, it is advisable to use these two printers.
• Once done, the printing machine will descend the build platform down or up, to form a thin layer of resin touching the build platform.
• After that, a light source will slowly draw the resin’s pattern in the resin and let it layers to solidify. The machine can make one layer at one time.
• The platform will let the uncured resin come through and create a new layer above the plate.
• If the unit has a roller, it will move across the building area to ensure a perfect resin level on the build platform.
• These steps will be repeated until the entire 3D model object is formed.

Once done, the 3D model will be removed from the printing machines for post-processing. Now, have a look at the post-process steps involved in resin 3D printing work.

• Washing- After the printing works, it is necessary to remove the resin leftovers that are uncured. For this, you can put the printed 3D model into water, alcohol, or let it dry on paper towels.
• UV-Curving- Here, the 3D prints are exposed to a UV-lamp or sunlight to make them stable. During the printing process, every layer is exposed to UV light for a few seconds. So, the post-curing of the 3D object is mandatory.

To make the washing and curing process easier for you, we also offer the best washing and curing machines.

• Removal of support- Under this process, all the supporting structure from the 3D models are removed. Resin 3D printing, to create perfect 3D models required supporting structure to hold the objects and stick the object to the build platform for better stability.  Such supporting structures are very easy to remove. However, be careful when cutting them as you may cut down too much volume of the objects.
• Sanding- By using wet sanding or dry sanding tools, taps are removed from the areas where the supporting structures touched the object.
• Finishing- In this process, parts are covered suing particular types of coatings or compositions. This will further strengthen the parts and eliminate all the visible imperfections.
• Painting- Here, the 3D models are painted with different compositions and colors.

After going through all these processes, you will get a high-quality and durable 3D model of your product.  Check out the3d printer resin price and get your first resin 3D printer now.

1.3, LCD vs. DLP vs. SLA: All you need to know

The factors that can significantly affect your buying process related to top resin printers is the printing technology.  You will come across three major printing technology processes; these are SLA, DLP, and LCD. Are they all the same? Which one will be better for you? Keep reading to get your answers.

What do you mean by SLA?

SLA is the short form of “Stereo Lithography Apparatus.” Under this printing technology, the laser beam perfectly outlines the first layer’s shape of the 3D model that you want to print on the resin’s surface. In most cases, the liquidized photosensitive resin is used for this.

After that, the production platform comes down to a certain distance, and the cured layer is immersed in the resin. After making the prototype using the resin, it is cured, polished, and colored to get the desired 3D model.

What do you mean by DLP?

DLP stands for Digital Light Processing. Under this process, the image signal is processed digitally before projecting out the light. The principle of DLP printing technology is to pass the light source emitted by the printer’s UHP bulb.

It is done through a condenser lens, and the machine makes the light uniform using a rod. The processed light will be let to pass through the color wheel located in the printer, separating the light into three colors. After that, the color is projected from the DMD chip lens, and the reflections are imaged on the screen. This process offers better accuracy than SLA.

What do you mean by LCD?

As discussed above, the LCD stands for Liquid Crystal Display. As the name suggests, it is a liquid crystal printer or projector. The LCD panel is made of RGB color- Red, Green, and Blue and the color are transmitted by a mirror and a lens of magnification.

In the case of LCD, a UHP or metal halogen lamp works as a light source. Now, have a look at the advantages of these three printing technologies.

SLA processing advantages

• It offers a higher level of processing accuracy and can cover around 0.1mm.
• It can easily manufacture different types of complex shapes (for example, hollow parts) and serviceable (for example, jewelry, handicrafts, and more) parts. Besides, this printing method is perfect for delicate parts and toys, for instance, radios, walkie-talkies, mobile phones, mice, and various high-tech electronic industry housings. In some cases, SLA processing is used to created auto models, parts, and medical equipment.
• The speed of manufacturing parts will be breakneck. This can process 0.1 to 0.15mm layered scanning.
• The surface quality of the 3D models created through this process will be okay. It can produce fine details along with a thin-wall structure. The post-processing method is also easy. The workload level related to post-processing will be very low.

DLP projector benefits

• In terms of a technical point of view, this technology has three essential characteristics. These are a miniaturization of printing machines, a higher level of native contrast, and a secured optical path.
• The chip utilizes a mechanical process. The lens’s movement level is right, and you will get the expected native contrast ratio.
• Almost all the DLP projectors work based on reflective principle. This is quite good in terms of eye protection.
• On the other hand, it also utilizes a semiconductor structure and a closed optical path to lower the risk of dust entering the machine.

Advantages of LCD

• Better accuracy- Using LCD 3D printing technology, it is easy to get maximum accuracy of 100 microns. This is something much better than SLA technology and DLP printing technology.
• Cost-effective- If your camper this with the DLP and SLA technology, you will find the price-performance ratio very impressive. Besides, as this doesn’t include any projection module or laser galvanometer, the printing machine structure is simple, and you will find it easy to maintain and use.
• Faster printing- It utilizes surface forming light source printing method that a DLP printer uses. It can also print multiple 3D model parts simultaneously, and the speed level will remain the same.
• General resin- As it has a 405nm backlight, an LCD 3D printer will support all the DLP resins along with photocurable resins.

Which printing technology can offer the best 3D printing quality?

The resin 3D printing quality ultimately depends on the types of 3D printers and printing materials you are using. If you are looking for high-performance LCD 3D printers under your budget, you can go for dreambot3d’s ME-192, ME-345, ME-215, DB-293, DB-345 and DB- 550.

In the case of an FDM 3D printer, dreambot3d offers L5-300, 400, 500, L8- 400, and 500 FDM 3D printers that work really great.

If you value performance, cost, and reliability, it would be better for you to go with a well-known brand known for resin 3D printing products, such as dreambot3d. This brand is famous for manufacturing and supplying quality FDM and LCD 3D printers.  Their printers support all types of printing materials, including resins.