Setup for Material Jetting 350

additive manufacturing

AM. The process of joining or solidifying materials to make an object based on a three-dimensional (3D) computer model. Additive manufacturing methods typically build up layers of material to create an object.

AM

Additive manufacturing. The process of joining or solidifying materials to make an object based on a three-dimensional (3D) computer model. AM methods typically build up layers of material to create an object.

automated

Run by a preprogrammed mechanical system with little to no human intervention. Automated machines operate more efficiently and precisely than machines that an operator manually controls.

Axis

An invisible straight line that helps describe the movement of an object in three-dimensional (3D) space. On material jetting machines, each axis is aligned with the machine coordinate system.

Build chamber

The area contained within an additive manufacturing (AM) machine where the part is constructed. Many build chambers are enclosed to improve the safety of the manufacturing operation.

Build orientation

The position in which a part is placed on a build platform during an additive manufacturing (AM) process. Build orientation, or part orientation, involves balancing part quality and build times.

Build platform

The flat surface on which a part is additively manufactured. The build platform can either be a permanent machine surface from which parts are removed or a surface that can be removed from a machine once the build is complete.

calibrated

Compared and adjusted to match a known, accurate standard. Machines are calibrated to eliminate any unwanted variation.

Ceramic

A hard, brittle material that can withstand high temperatures and resist corrosion. Ceramics, which include metal oxides, nitrides, and glasses, are sometimes used as build material in additive manufacturing (AM).

Chemical bath

A specialized solution that an engineer dips an additive manufacturing part into in order to remove support structures. A chemical bath is formulated to dissolve support structures without harming the part.

CNC machining centers

A sophisticated computer numerical control (CNC) machine that can perform multiple machining operations in the same setup with a variety of tools. CNC machining centers can be effective for post processing of parts produced with metal additive manufacturing (AM) methods.

Computer-aided design

CAD. Computer software used to create a 3D model of a part before it goes into prototyping or production. Computer-aided design models are digital representations of the different aspects of a part.

Contaminants

Any foreign substance, such as dirt, that can reduce efficiency of machines and damage components. Contaminants can cause machines to wear prematurely and reduce service life.

Cure

To cause a material to bond and solidify by permanently cross-linking its molecules. Curing techniques for photopolymers include exposing the material to ultraviolet light during the production process.

Elevator

The device on a material jetting machine that raises and lowers the build platform along the Z axis. The elevator may need to be jogged or calibrated to ensure proper leveling of the build surface.

End-use

Designed to be used directly by a consumer or directly in another manufactured product. End-use products created by additive manufacturing (AM) include medical implants, custom dental devices, and camera equipment.

Features

A distinguishing characteristic that performs a function on a part. Features include grooves, shoulders, and hinges, among many others.

Gantry

The mechanized bridge upon which tooling is mounted. The gantry on a material jetting machine moves along the X axis or along the X and Y axes, depending on the machine.

Geometry

The linear and curved shapes that characterize a part. Complex part geometry on material jetting machines requires the use of support structures.

Grinding

A machining process in which an abrasive is used to precisely cut and shape the surface of a workpiece. Grinding operations are often used to remove small amounts of material from a workpiece and create good surface finish.

heating lamp

A device that is used in specialized material jetting machines that produces heat in order to cure materials. Heating lamps are equipped on nanoparticle jetting (NPJ) machines.

Home position

The default position on an additive manufacturing (AM) machine that is typically the farthest possible distance from the start position. The home position on material jetting machines is the default position of the print head in the X and Y axes and the elevator in the Z axis.

Human-machine interface

HMI. A device connected to a machine that allows operators to monitor and control a machine or process. A human-machine interface may have a touch screen or control pad.

Leveling

To keep the surface of one or more components completely horizontal and in alignment. Leveling the build platform in material jetting ensures that a part is constructed accurately.

Liquid metal jetting

LMJ. An advanced material jetting process that builds parts using molten, liquid metal. Liquid metal jetting, unlike nanoparticle jetting (NPJ), creates parts without a binding agent.

material delivery system

The collection of components on an additive manufacturing machine that transport the build materials onto the build surface. The material delivery system on a material jetting machine includes the material cartridges, pneumatic or piezoelectric actuation mechanism, delivery tubes, and print head nozzles.

Material jetting

An additive manufacturing process in which droplets of build material are selectively deposited onto a build platform and cured by ultraviolet (UV) light or other methods. Material jetting generally includes Polyjetting, which uses photopolymer resins, but can also include nanoparticle jetting and liquid metal jetting methods.

Molecular bonds

The joining of atoms within molecules of a material. Molecular bonds can be influenced by temperature and other conditions.

Nanoparticle jetting

NPJ. A material jetting process that builds parts using ceramic or metal nanoparticles suspended in a binder that evaporates. Nanoparticle jetting can potentially create parts designed for heavier use than photopolymer material jetting.

Nozzles

A spout at the end of piping or tubing through which substances are funneled. Nozzles are used to distribute build material during some additive manufacturing processes.

Overhangs

A section or feature on a part that extends outward and past the base. Overhangs are often created using support material in material jetting.

Personal protective equipment

PPE. An article of clothing or a device worn to minimize exposure to hazards and prevent injury. Personal protective equipment may include safety glasses, safety gloves, ear plugs, respirators, or steel-toed boots.

Photopolymer

A thermoset polymer that cures and hardens when exposed to ultraviolet (UV) light. Photopolymers are used in material jetting.

Photoreactive resin

A material that chemically reacts to ultraviolet (UV) light when exposed. Photoreactive resins solidify and harden when exposed to UV light.

piezoelectric

Having the ability to generate an electrical charge when subjected to mechanical pressure or stress. Piezoelectric actuation is used in drop-on-demand inkjet technology.

Pneumatic

A type of power created by the controlled motion of a gas, usually air, under pressure. Pneumatic systems are often used to power robotic devices and are also used in additive manufacturing machine components.

Post-processing

A procedure used to clean, improve, or otherwise finish a part after it has been manufactured. Post-processing procedures include support removal, abrasive finishing, heat treatment, and painting.

Print head

The moving component on a printing machine that holds and distributes the part build material. Additive manufacturing (AM) machines, such as those used in material jetting or binder jetting, have print heads.

Print resolution

The fineness of detail in a computer-aided design (CAD) model that determines the accuracy of a printed part. Print resolution helps determine the part's surface finish quality, with greater resolution leading to better surface finish.

Print speed

The rate at which a print head or worktable moves in a linear or rotational axis while printing. Print speed is typically measured in millimeters per second (mm/s).

Prototyping

To create an early sample, model, or release of a product built to test a concept or process. Photopolymer material jetting is primarily used for prototyping.

quenching

The controlled cooling of a metal after it has been heated to very high temperatures during heat treatment processes. Quenching rates are determined by the metal type.

Recalibrate

To readjust or reset a machine's calibration after initial setup. Recalibrating helps eliminate variation between operations and during calibration testing.

reservoir

A container used to store large quantities of liquid materials. Reservoirs are used in liquid metal jetting to store molten metal.

Resin tanks

An industrial receptacle used to hold fluids. Resin tanks are used to hold liquid photopolymers in material jetting.

Respirators

A breathing device worn to prevent inhalation of hazardous substances. Oil-resistant respirators should be used when cleaning nanoparticle materials since nanoparticles can be transferred through fluids, including the bloodstream.

roller

A cylindrical device used in additive manufacturing to either deposit and level build material or fuse layers of a part together. Rollers are used to level material in material jetting, vat photopolymerization, binder jetting, powder bed fusion (PBF), and sheet lamination methods.

Safety Data Sheets

SDS. The mandatory information that must accompany almost every chemical in the workplace. A Safety Data Sheet includes details such as the hazards, precautions, and first aid procedures associated with the chemical.

software

The programs, instructions, and formulas that structure the actions of a computer. Software controls computer hardware functions and operations.

Start position

The location where the operator places the build platform during material jetting. The start position is considered the best position for a print.

Support structures

A reinforcing component used to hold the weight of an additively manufactured part as it is being constructed. Support structures are removed from the part once the build is complete.

Test prints

A procedure performed during the additive manufacturing process to assess the performance of the machine. Test prints are often used to calibrate the accuracy of the print head nozzles, UV light, or machine calibration.

Thermal bonding

The use of different temperature conditions to join molecules together within materials. Thermal bonding can join different types of materials together, such as plastic to metal or ceramic.

Three-axis

A type of machine control that can execute movement along three directions concurrently. Three-axis machines move machine tools along three linear axes.

Three-dimensional

3D. Having height, width, and depth. Three-dimensional parts are created during additive manufacturing (AM) processes.

Tolerances

The unwanted but acceptable deviation from the desired dimension. Products must be within specified tolerances to function properly.

Toolpaths

The series of coordinate positions that determine the movement of a tool during a manufacturing operation. Toolpaths for additive manufacturing machines are automatically generated by specialized slicing computer programs that analyze the 3D part model and divide it into layers.

Troubleshooting

A systematic approach to solving problems quickly and efficiently. Troubleshooting often involves a logical process of elimination to identify the source of a problem.

Ultraviolet light

UV light. A potentially harmful wavelength of light that is below or shorter than violet on the light spectrum. Ultraviolet light is used to selectively solidify photopolymer in material jetting.

UV

Ultraviolet. A potentially harmful wavelength of light that is below, or shorter than, violet on the light spectrum. UV light is used to selectively solidify a photopolymer in material jetting.

Ventilation

A means of circulating clean, fresh air. Ventilation ensures that air containing potentially harmful dust or gas is removed from a space and replaced with clean air.

Viscosity

A fluid's resistance to flow. Temperature settings on material jetting machines affect the viscosity of the resin materials.

Water jetting

A material removal method that uses a powerful, high-velocity stream of water to cut or remove materials. An abrasive can be added to the water to facilitate the water jetting process.

wire feed system

A machine or component that delivers material feedstock in the form of a wire spool. Wire feed systems may need to be calibrated or changed during setup.