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Technology

Digital Light Processing (DLP)

Similar to SLA technology, with the advantages of high surface quality and exact details

Digital Light Processing (DLP) is a resin-based 3D printing process similar to SLA. In DLP, however, the resin is cured across the entire print surface simultaneously by UV light sources rather than step by step with a laser.

This makes DLP significantly faster while delivering very high surface quality and detail accuracy. The quality is comparable to injection moulding – ideal for spare parts, prototypes and series components from 100 to 1000+ units.

Suitable materials

3DM Impact, Plastic 3D Printing

For tough and at the same time flexible parts

3D-Druck-Bauteil-Material-Kunststoff-3DM-Impact

Features:

  • Tensile strength: 58 MPa (ISO 527-2/93)
  • Modulus of elasticity: 2700 MPa (ISO 527-2/93)
  • Elongation at break: 22% (ISO 527-2/93)
  • Flexural strength: 70 MPa (ISO 178/01)
  • Flexural modulus: 2300 MPa (ISO 178/01)
  • Hardness: Shore 78-82D (ISO 868)
  • Heat deflection temp (at 0.45 MPa): 55 °C (ISO75-2/04)

Material color:

  • Opaque

Applications:

High performance parts such as::

Snap-fits
Electrical housings
Fixtures and tools

Advantages:

  • Tough and flexible at the same time
  • Shape memory effect (depending on temperature)

The material 3DM-IMPACT is especially suitable for parts that require high toughness combined with good flexibility. Due to its high impact strength, the material is particularly resistant to shocks and impacts. Thus, this material is ideally used for high-performance parts such as snap-fits, electrical housings, fixtures and tools. In addition, the 3D printing material has the ability of the shape memory effect, depending on the temperature.

3DM-Tough, plastic 3D printing (resin)

The great feature of 3DM-Tough resin is its toughness, clarity and translucency that does not yellow.

3DM-Tough, plastic 3D printing (resin)

Features:

  • Hardness: Shore 88-90D (ASTM D2240)

Material color:

  • Transparent, non-yellowing

Applications:

Applications in the automotive, medical and electronics industries, including functional prototypes.

The great feature of 3DM-Tough resin is its toughness, clarity and translucency that does not yellow. The 3D printing material is particularly suitable for applications in the automotive, medical and electronics industries, including functional prototypes.

BASF ST45 B, plastic 3D printing

BASF ST45 B offers an excellent combination of strength, toughness and impact resistance.

3D-Druck-Rohrverzweigung-Material-Kunststoff-BASF-ST45B

Features:

  • Tensile strength: 52.5 MPa (ASTM D638)
  • Modulus of elasticity: 2040 MPa (ASTM D638)
  • Elongation at break: 21.4 % (ASTM D638)
  • Flexural strength: 93.9 MPa (ASTM D790)
  • Flexural modulus: 2140 MPa (ASTM D790)
  • Impact strength (IZOD, notched): 20.56 J/m (ASTM D256)
  • Hardness: Shore 81D (ASTM D2240)
  • Heat deflection temp (at 0.46 MPa): 63 °C (ASTM D648)
  • Heat deflection temp (at 1.82 MPa): 52 °C (ASTM D648)
  • Flammability: HB (UV 94 1.5 mm)

Material color:

  • Black

Applications:

For high performance parts
For parts with high surface quality
Housing covers
Connectors
Brackets and fixtures

Advantages:

  • Fixed
  • Tough
  • Impact resistant

BASF ST45 B plastic (resin) offers an excellent combination of strength, toughness and impact resistance. The material is very well suited for 3D printing of high performance functional parts that require high accuracy and mechanical strength.

Application: for automotive airbags, ventilation covers and fittings. The resin is also suitable for items such as housing covers, connectors, brackets and fixtures, as well as design prototypes, due to the high surface quality.

KeyGuide

3D-Druck-Materialien-Jellypipe-Platzhalter-Bild

Features:

  • Flexural strength [MPa] 106
  • Flexural modulus [Gpa] 2.4
  • Elongation at break [%] 6.3Shore hardness 95D
Material color:
  • Transluzent

Applications:

Medical technology, (drilling templates, etc.)

Advantages:

  • Dental technology
  • Biocompatible
  • Polishing possible
  • Sterilisation in autoclave possible

KeyTray

3D-Druck-Materialien-Jellypipe-Platzhalter-Bild

Features:

  • Tensile strength [MPa] 62.1
  • E-modul [Gpa] 2.056
  • Flexural strength [MPa] 84.7
  • Flexural modulus [Gpa] 1.913
  • Elongation at break [%] 26.4Shore hardness 86.5D
Material color:
  • Violet Transluzent

Applications:

Personalised impressions

Advantages:

  • Dental technology
  • Biocompatible

Plastic XPEEK147, 3D printing technology DLP

3D-Druck-Materialien-Jellypipe-Platzhalter-Bild

Properties:

  • Density [g/cm3] 1.26
  • Tensile strength [MPa] 75
  • E-modul [Gpa] 3.192
  • Flexural strength [MPa] 128
  • Flexural modulus [Gpa] 3.168
  • Impact resistance (Izod notched) [J/m] 14.6
  • Heat deflection temp @0.45MPa [°C] 238
  • Heat deflection temp @1.81MPa [°C] 107
  • Elongation at break [%] 3Shore hardness 94D
Material color:
  • Black

Applications:

Material for high demands on temperature, stability, and surface
Injection moulding
Mechanical Engineering

Advantages:

  • High temperature resistance up to 230°C
  • High dimensional stability
  • Good surface quality

xPEEK147 is a material that meets high demands in terms of temperature, stability and surface quality. The parts produced with the additive manufacturing technology Digital Light Processing (DLP) are suitable for a wide range of applications such as spare parts and prototypes, injection moulding deep-drawing moulds or also for series components in the range of 100 to 1000+ pieces.

The 3D printer manufacturer Nexa calls the DLP process LSPc, Lubricant-Sublayer-Photo-curing.

LOCTITE® High Toughness HDT60 3843, plastic 3D printing

LOCTITE® 3D 3843 is a semi-flexible material with high impact strength.

LOCTITE® High Toughness HDT60 3843, plastic 3D printing

Features:

  • Tensile strength: 51 MPa (ASTM D638)
  • Modulus of elasticity: 1806 MPa (ASTM D638)
  • Elongation at break: 43 % (ASTM D638)
  • Flexural strength: 73.8 MPa (ASTM D790)
  • Flexural modulus: 1783 MPa (ASTM D790)
  • Impact strength (IZOD, notched): 53 J/m (ASTM D256)
  • Hardness: Shore 75D (ASTM D2240)
  • Heat deflection temp (at 0.46 MPa): 63 °C (ASTM D648)

Material Color:

  • Black matt

LOCTITE® 3D 3843 is a semi-flexible material with high impact strength and is ideally suited for a wide range of applications such as equipment, fasteners, enclosures and covers.

Lumentics DLP resin photoluminescent, light green, plastic 3D printing

The Lumentics material has the special property that it glows in the dark

Lumentics DLP resin photoluminescent, light green, plastic 3D printing

Features:

  • E-modulus: 1655 MPa (DIN EN ISO 178)
  • Elongation at break: 5% (DIN EN ISO 178)
  • Flexural strength: 41.3 MPa (DIN EN ISO 178
  • Hardness: Shore 87D (DIN ISO 7619-1)

Material color:

  • Opaque / Glow in the dark green

The material Lumentics has the special property that it glows in the dark. In addition, the material has a high stability.


  •  
 

xABS

3D-Druck-Materialien-Jellypipe-Platzhalter-Bild

Features:

  • ensile strength [MPa] 60
  • E-modul [Gpa] 1.62
  • Flexural strength [MPa] 81
  • Flexural modulus [Gpa] 1.86
  • Impact resistance (Izod notched) [J/m] 54
  • Heat deflection temp @0.45MPa [°C] 80
  • Elongation at break [%] 47

Material Color:

  • Black

Applications:

Series parts
Robotics
Mechanical Engineering
Automotive

Advantages:

  • High-performance plastic
  • High tensile and flexural modulus

xCE-Black, plastic

Smooth, injection moulding-like surface, high accuracy, bending strength and temperature resistance.

xCE-Black, plastic

Features:

  • Tensile strength [MPa] 80
  • E-modul [Gpa] 1.62
  • Flexural strength [MPa] 135
  • Flexural modulus [Gpa] 3.25
  • Impact resistance (Izod notched) [J/m] 20
  • Heat deflection temp @0.45MPa [°C] 120
  • Elongation at break [%] 8Shore hardness 90D
Material color:
  • Black

Applications:

Automotive components
Series production mechanical engineering
Injection moulding inserts

Advantages:

  • High accuracy
  • High bending strength
  • High temperature resistance
  • Colour: Black

The 3D printing plastic xCE-black has a high accuracy, high bending strength and high temperature resistance. It also has a very smooth surface similar to injection moulding.

xCE-black is suitable for automotive components, parts in mechanical engineering and injection moulding applications. For series in the range of 100 to more than 1,000 pieces, xCE-black is a good choice.

xMED412

3D-Druck-Materialien-Jellypipe-Platzhalter-Bild

Features:

  • Density [g/cm3] 1.14
  • Tensile strength [MPa] 38
  • E-modul [Gpa] 1.245
  • Flexural strength [MPa] 37
  • Flexural modulus [Gpa] 1.022
  • Impact resistance (Izod notched) [J/m] 42.6
  • Heat deflection temp @0.45MPa [°C] 40
  • Elongation at break [%] 141Shore hardness 70D
Material color:
  • Tanslucent

Applications:

Medical applications
Components with skin contact (diving, sports, earplugs, etc.)

Advantages:

  • High impact strength, like polypropylene
  • Biocompatible (ISO 10993, FDA Class I)
  • Stable and resistant
  • Serilisation in autoclave possible
  • Good polishability (transparent finish)
 

Frequently asked questions about DLP 3D printing

What is Digital Light Processing (DLP)?

DLP is a 3D printing process in which liquid resin is cured across the entire print surface simultaneously with UV light. It offers high detail accuracy, excellent surfaces and short printing times.

What is the difference between DLP and SLA?

In SLA, a laser cures the material step by step; in DLP, the entire surface is cured at once. At up to 1 cm/min in the Z axis, DLP is significantly faster, unit prices are lower and quality is higher.

What is DLP suitable for?

DLP is suitable for spare parts, prototypes, injection-moulding and thermoforming moulds, and series components in the range of 100 to 1000+ units. It is a genuine alternative to injection moulding.

What should be considered when designing DLP components?

The minimum wall thickness is 1 mm, lettering and surface details at least 0.5 mm, and holes at least 1 mm in diameter. Components must not have closed cavities, otherwise the resin cannot drain.

Which tolerances are possible with DLP?

Tolerances are ±0.2%, but at least ±0.1 mm – depending heavily on geometry and material.

Does DLP require support structures?

Yes, support structures are used for overhangs. They are removed during production, although the surface may be of lower quality at these points.

Which materials are available for DLP?

The range includes tough and flexible resins (3DM-Impact, LOCTITE HDT60 3843), high-performance materials such as xPEEK147 and xCE-Black, xABS, biocompatible materials for medical and dental technology (xMED412, KeyGuide, KeyTray) and the glow-in-the-dark Lumentics.

Note about material properties

Note: Please note that the listed values of the properties (e.g. tensile strength) refer to the properties of the material in an unprocessed state. Hoffmann AM can not guarantee the information below. In the printed state, the values may deviate from the specifications.

If a material in practice is pushed to the limits of the stated values, the component itself should be tested. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to contact us.