| |
| |
| |
|
|
 |
3D Printers Build Real Plastic Parts from 3D CAD Models |
|
So what is a 3D Printer?
Components designed in 3D software such as SolidWorks, or Pro/DESKTOP, would traditionally be machined by starting with a solid block of material and then machining away the waste with a milling cutter. This process is great for some objects, but it has its limitations. What about objects with undercuts, or hollow objects? A 3D printer essentially works the other way round. It starts with an empty machine bed then a print head passes over the bed and deposits a thin layer of material to form a “slice” of the object. The bed is lowered and the print head deposits another slice. The process is repeated until the complete object is formed. Awkward holes and undercuts are simply filled with a honeycomb of a special “support” plastic which is easily broken off or dissolved later.
What is special about the Dimension 3D Printer?
Most 3D printers build models from starch, wax or similar materials. The finished object looks the part, but can have little structural strength. The Dimension produces parts by extruding molten ABS plastic to give solid plastic objects that can be handled and used, eg., a camera or a calculator case can be as strong as the real object. The plastic is white as standard, but can also be supplied in a range of colours
for the BST, SST and Elite models.
The Dimension is clean and practically silent in operation. It has been designed for the classroom rather than the workshop.
  
|
|
|
|
How easy is it to use in a school?
A simple answer - dead easy. The software supplied allows 3D stl files (as produced in SolidWorks, Pro/DESKTOP, etc.) to be loaded and positioned, then it does the rest. The process is fully automatic. Multiple parts can be loaded and processed at the same time to reduce overall manufacturing times. Material handling is also straightforward, the raw materials are loaded in cartridges (just like in laser printers). This means that there are no messy powders to handle, and that the whole process is quick and clean.
What about the costs?
Well, this is sophisticated technology, so it is bound to cost a bit more than a few files and a hacksaw! However, this new machine really has provided a breakthrough in pricing to bring it within the reach of a number of schools and colleges. Of course there are also running costs; an item such as a mobile phone case might typically cost a few pounds to produce (remember, there is no waste material to be machined away, you only pay for the plastic you use). Also you have a finished object straight off the machine, no secondary processing such as casting is normally required.
What about several schools sharing a machine?
One of the beauties of the Dimension is that it is ideal for remote manufacturing. It links straight into your network and can even be operated remotely via the internet! This means that it is ideal for the hub of a manufacturing consortium, eg., a Technology College, an LEA resource centre, etc. In this context, the ease of setup also means that the support time required (teacher or technician) is minimal - mainly taking finished items out of the machine!
What about support?
As part of the deal to education the machine is commissioned, and comprehensive on-site training is given in its use. The education deal
for the BST, SST and Elite models, also includes an extra two years parts warranty (one year on-site parts and labour warranty is standard).
The education deal for the uPrint model includes a
materials bonus pack. |
|
Camera Body Shell
(Two piece model, with a spray
painted finish / Decorated with
Print and Cut decals) |
| |
|
USB Flash Drive Case
(Two piece model with a spray painted finish) |
| |
| 
|
| |
Clamp
(Built from red and yellow ABS) |
|
So why buy a Dimension 3D printer?
|
|
Many schools and colleges are using 3D Design software such as SolidWorks or Pro/DESKTOP. Many students are producing exciting, sometimes sophisticated and complex 3D designs. But for most students an on-screen image or a print-out is the end of the process. Milling systems do a great job for many simple designs, but inherently impose restrictions on the design process itself.
3D printing opens up a whole new world of product design, where students are free to create interesting and complex shapes and objects, then to actually handle them, test them and truly assess them. The Dimension is simply the best machine around for this purpose. It is simple to set up and operate, it is clean and quiet, and it suits a school environment. The outcomes have real structural strength, they can be real working parts. The Dimension may be out of the reach of many schools individually, but its relatively low cost has meant that establishments such as Technology Colleges, LEA resource centres, etc., have been able to purchase BST and SST machines.
The capability that this innovative machine offers has been the dream of forward thinking D&T teachers since the inception of the subject, now the reality has arrived. |
|
| |
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
|
Using BST (Breakaway Support Technology), this machine builds
parts from ABS plastic. The honeycomb support material is a
lightweight brittle plastic. After the model is removed from
the machine, the support material is simply broken off by
hand. For most models this works really well, although in some
areas, eg., an enclosed chamber, support removal would be
difficult. The advantage of BST is that it does not require a
Clean Station. The large build envelope for the low cost makes
this an ideal choice for many schools and colleges. |
| |
FEATURES |
|
- Max. build size 254 x 254 x 305mm
- ABS Colours: Natural, Black, Dark Grey, Blue, Red, Nectarine, Fluorescent Yellow, Olive Green
- Slice Resolution: 0.25mm
- Dimensions: 838(W) x 737(D) x 1143(H)mm
- Weight 148Kg
- Optional floor stand
- 1 year warranty.
UK Mainland & Ireland: On-Site
Elsewhere: Return and Collect
- 2 further years parts warranty (Education only)
|
 |
(All prices shown are in pounds sterling and exclude VAT) |
Dimension BST 1200es (Breakaway Support Technology).
Includes 1 year parts and labour
warranty and a further 2 years parts
warranty(Education only) plus delivery then
commissioning and training on the
same day (UK education mainland
only) |
19500.00 |
|
|
Matching wheeled floor stand
|
960.00 |
|
| |
| Recommended software:
|
SolidWorks Education Edition
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
| |
|
The uPrint is a relatively compact machine that uses SST
(Soluble Support Technology). The honeycomb support material
is fully soluble. After the model is removed from the machine,
it is immersed in the Clean Station (purchased separately),
and the support material simply dissolves away. The SST can
therefore build intricate or complex models where manual
removal of support material would be very difficult. This low
cost machine brings this exciting new technology within the
reach of most schools and colleges for the first time. |
| |
FEATURES |
|
- Max. build size 203 x 152 x 152 mm
- ABS Colour: Ivory
- Slice Resolution: 0.25mm
- Dimensions: 635 (W) x 660(D)x 787(H)mm
- Weight: 76Kg
- 1 year warranty.
UK Mainland & Ireland: On-Site
Elsewhere: Return and Collect
- Education Materials Bonus Pack Included
(Education only)
Clean Station
*N.B. The Clean Station is needed to automatically
wash away the support structures |
| |
uPrint 3D Printer with Education
Materials Bonus Pack
Includes 1 year
parts and labour warranty,
Education
Materials Bonus Pack, plus delivery then
commissioning and training on the same day (UK education
mainland only) |
*12500.00
|
Buy |
uPrint 3D Printer with Education
3 Year Bonus Pack
Includes 3 year parts and labour warranty, 3
Education
Materials Bonus Packs, plus delivery then
commissioning and training on the same day (UK education
mainland only) |
*17995.00
|
Buy |
| Stainless Steel Clean Station, 223x335x200mm
reservoir |
995.00 |
Buy |
|
Optional Extras: |
|
|
| Second Material Bay |
1275.00 |
|
| Additional Material Carrier |
250.00 |
Buy |
| Additional Support Material Carrier |
250.00 |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
| |
| The
Dimension SST uses a similar technology to the smaller uPrint
model, but offers a much larger working envelope. A further
enhancement is the ability to use a range of different
colours. The ability to build larger models or to print a
larger number of small models at the same time should appeal
to Technology schools, or schools acting as a manufacturing
hub for other schools. |
| |
FEATURES |
 |
- Max. build size 254 x 254 x 305mm
- ABS Colours: Natural, Black, Dark Grey, Blue, Red, Nectarine, Fluorescent Yellow, Olive Green
- Slice Resolution: 0.17mm
- Dimensions: 838(W) x 737(D) x 1143(H)mm
- Weight 148Kg
- Optional floor stand
- 1 year warranty.
UK Mainland & Ireland: On-Site
Elsewhere: Return and Collect
- 2 further years parts warranty (Education only)
|
|
(All prices shown are in pounds sterling and exclude VAT) |
Dimension SST 1200es (Soluble Support Technology).
Includes 1 year parts and labour
warranty and a further 2 years parts
warranty(Education only) plus delivery then
commissioning and training on the
same day (UK education mainland
only) |
*27900.00 |
|
| Stainless Steel Clean Station, 298x313x300mm
reservoir |
1495.00 |
Buy |
| Matching wheeled floor stand
|
960.00
|
|
| |
| Recommended software:
|
SolidWorks Education Edition
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
| |
| The
Dimension Elite also uses SST and prints in colour. However,
the key feature of this machine is the extra fine 0.17mm slice
resolution. This machine can offer almost twice the resolution
of the other machines. This means a smoother surface finish
for all models. In addition it allows finer detail and more
intricate components to be modelled. The Elite will be the
machine to choose when only the best will do. |
| |
FEATURES |
|
- Max. build size 203 x 203 x 305mm
- ABS Colours: Natural, Black, Dark Grey, Blue, Red, Nectarine, Fluorescent Yellow, Olive Green
- Slice Resolution: 0.17mm
- Dimensions 686 (W) x 914(D)x 1041(H)mm
- Weight 136Kg
- Optional floor stand
- 1 year warranty.
UK Mainland & Ireland: On-Site
Elsewhere: Return and Collect
- 2 further years parts warranty (Education only)
|
|
(All prices shown are in pounds sterling and exclude VAT) |
Dimension Elite (Soluble Support Technology).
Includes 1 year parts and labour
warranty and a further 2 years parts
warranty(Education only) plus delivery
then commissioning and training on the same day (UK
education mainland only) |
*25400.00
|
|
| Stainless Steel Clean Station, 223x335x200mm
reservoir |
995.00 |
Buy |
| Matching wheeled floor stand
|
960.00
|
Buy
|
| |
| Recommended software: |
SolidWorks Education Edition
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
