Infrastructure Details
Description
The 3D print laboratory is a modern research facility for product development and manufacturing methodology, and a place where you can easily turn your ideas into reality.
3D printing is a technology which makes it a very cost-effective production method as you are left with very little waste material. Product designers can instantly create prototypes to see if their design is working, at a fraction of the price and without the design constraints involved with traditional manufacturing methods.
Many methods and materials are currently available. The most common technology for home use and small-scale manufacturing is called Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF). With this method, objects are printed layer by layer in molten plastic that is extruded with high precision from a heated printer head, in the manner of a small computer controlled hot-glue gun.
Another method is called Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), where your model is built up with a fine nylon powder that is evenly spread over a platform, which is then melted with a laser beam and fused together. It uses the same principle of layer-by-layer manufacturing, but a higher level of detail is achieved with the laser sintering method than with fused filament fabrication.
SLS is our primary manufacturing method in the 3D print lab. One of the perks is that in contrast to FFF, SLS does not need to have extra support added. The model is automatically completely supported by all the excess powder tightly packed around the object while printing. This enables the manufacturing of complicated parts with fine details.
In addition, we have access to a comprehensive engineering workshop which includes both metal and wood tools, CNC mills and lathes, waterjet cutter, welding, grinding, etc.
3D printing is a technology which makes it a very cost-effective production method as you are left with very little waste material. Product designers can instantly create prototypes to see if their design is working, at a fraction of the price and without the design constraints involved with traditional manufacturing methods.
Many methods and materials are currently available. The most common technology for home use and small-scale manufacturing is called Fused Filament Fabrication (FFF). With this method, objects are printed layer by layer in molten plastic that is extruded with high precision from a heated printer head, in the manner of a small computer controlled hot-glue gun.
Another method is called Selective Laser Sintering (SLS), where your model is built up with a fine nylon powder that is evenly spread over a platform, which is then melted with a laser beam and fused together. It uses the same principle of layer-by-layer manufacturing, but a higher level of detail is achieved with the laser sintering method than with fused filament fabrication.
SLS is our primary manufacturing method in the 3D print lab. One of the perks is that in contrast to FFF, SLS does not need to have extra support added. The model is automatically completely supported by all the excess powder tightly packed around the object while printing. This enables the manufacturing of complicated parts with fine details.
In addition, we have access to a comprehensive engineering workshop which includes both metal and wood tools, CNC mills and lathes, waterjet cutter, welding, grinding, etc.
Equipment and resources
Our main printer in the 3D printing lab is an EOS Formiga P110, a Selective Laser Sintering machine producing high quality parts in nylon.
A Stratasys Prodigy Fused Deposition Modelling printer, which prints in ABS plastic. This machine is currently principally used for materials experimentation, such as printing with conductive filaments, low-cost filaments, etc.
A FormLabs SLA 3D Printer. This is an entry level stereolithography machine that prints using a photosensitive polymer resin. We currently only use this machine when we need to produce transparent parts.
A 3D Systems V-Flash SLA machine. This is an older stereolithography based machine and is no longer used to make parts.
A number of Desktop 3D printers including Makerbots, Up 3D Printers, Welleman 3D Printers, and homemade machines.
A Z-corp Spectrum 510 colour printer that can print full colour models in plaster of Paris. We now mainly use this system for materials experimentation work, such as printing with ceramics.
A Full Spectrum 12""x24"" Laser Cutter (30 x 60 cm).
A Stratasys Prodigy Fused Deposition Modelling printer, which prints in ABS plastic. This machine is currently principally used for materials experimentation, such as printing with conductive filaments, low-cost filaments, etc.
A FormLabs SLA 3D Printer. This is an entry level stereolithography machine that prints using a photosensitive polymer resin. We currently only use this machine when we need to produce transparent parts.
A 3D Systems V-Flash SLA machine. This is an older stereolithography based machine and is no longer used to make parts.
A number of Desktop 3D printers including Makerbots, Up 3D Printers, Welleman 3D Printers, and homemade machines.
A Z-corp Spectrum 510 colour printer that can print full colour models in plaster of Paris. We now mainly use this system for materials experimentation work, such as printing with ceramics.
A Full Spectrum 12""x24"" Laser Cutter (30 x 60 cm).
Services provided
Physical access.
Management of the infrastructure
Laboratory Director: Operative responsibility for the activities, safety and work environments: Axel Nordin, [email protected]
Communication: Jessika Sellergren, [email protected], 046-222 85 10
Communication: Jessika Sellergren, [email protected], 046-222 85 10
UKÄ subject classification
- Engineering and Technology
Type of infrastructure
- Equipment
- Services