Laser-based rapid manufacture of fine detail

The DW029 has joined Unimatic’s range of RP and RM equipment and is aimed at the manufacturers of jewellery and medical items, such as dental patterns, where continuous production is required as opposed to prototyping. The laser-based system offers both direct casting and rubber mould production. High throughput performance and precision ensure excellent surface finish combined with rapid payback – for heavy users within weeks. The build platform can accommodate up to 70 patterns and, typically, this can be output during a single shift. Time of manufacture depends upon the height of patterns rather than the number involved. The DW029 employs the proven sterolithography (SLA) technique where the liquid resin is cured by the machine’s ultraviolet laser but the process is accelerated by using a rapidly articulating mirror to direct the beam instead of manoeuvring the laser itself.