How does PolyJet 3D Printing work:
The Polyjet (a.k.a. Multijet Modeling) technique was developed by the company Objet Geometries Ltd.. Objet was founded in 1998 by Rami Bonen, Gershon Miller and Hanan Gotaiit. After about ten years, the company presented the first multi-material 3D printer. In 2012, the first PolyJet 3D Printing system with more than 100 combined materials was introduced by Objet Ltd. In the same year, Objet merged with the industry giant Stratasys.
PolyJet 3D Printing is similar to inkjet document printing, but instead of jetting drops of ink onto paper, PolyJet 3D printers jet layers of liquid photopolymer onto a build tray and instantly cure them with UV light. The layers build up to create a precise 3D model or prototype. Along with the selected model materials, the PolyJet 3D printer also jets a gel-like support material specially designed to uphold overhangs and complicated geometries. It is easily removed by hand or water. The most advanced PolyJet system, the J750 Printer, combines diverse 3D printing materials in one model by jetting multiple materials simultaneously (in full color). This means the user can selectively position multiple materials in one printed prototype and even combine two or three materials to create composite models with distinct, predictable properties.
PolyJet 3D Printing Materials:
There are plenty of materials available for this technology. We offer 4 standard materials. Besides the ‘pure’ materials, it is possible to ‘blend’ materials during the print process. As an example, Tango with a shore hardness of around A25 can be mixed during the print process with traces of Vero, to create a digital material with a final shore hardness of A 50 or higher. Based on this method, soft materials can be created with a shore hardness range from ~A25 – 95.
Vero: Rigid, high-resolution and all-purpose plastic, one of the most popular prototyping materials
Vero
Utilizing the PolyJet process, the Vero materials have good overall properties. With an extremely high resolution layer slice (0.0006″), models have smooth contour surfaces and the appearance of production parts, with very little post-processing. Rigid PolyJet parts are great for producing accurate, high resolution small and medium prototypes, that require the finest features and detail. Parts as small as 0.0125″ can be produced with an incredible level of detail. Ideal for accurate; visual and conceptual models. Parts created with the PolyJet process can be sanded primed and painted for presentation, or used as RTV mold masters.
Uses:
- Bottles and Containers
- Packaging
- Connectors
- Small Fine Feature Parts
- Medical Devices and Small Housings
Advantages:
- Opaque white parts look near production
- Extremely high detail
- Rigid & Durable
- Great fine features & smooth contour curves
- Great for molds and patterns
More information on this material can be found here.
Mechanical / Thermal Properties
| ASTM Method | Property Description | Metric | Imperial |
|---|---|---|---|
| D638M | Tensile Strength | 49.8 MPa | 7,221 PSI |
| D638M | Elongation at Break | 20% | 20% |
| D638M | Modulus of Elasticity | 2000-3000 MPa | 290,000-435,000 PSI |
| D790M | Flexural Strength | 74.6 MPa | 10,817 PSI |
| D2240 | Flexural Modulus | 2,137 MPa | 309,865 PSI |
| D256A | Izod Impact (Notched) | 20-30 J/m | 0.375-0.562 ft lb/inch |
| D648 | HDT @ 0.46 MPa (66 psi) | 47.6°C | 118°F |
| D648 | HDT @ 1.81 MPa (264 psi) | 43.6°C | 110°F |
VeroClear: Transparent material that simulates PMMA
VeroClear
VeroClear is a transparent material that simulates PMMA (polymethyl methacrylate), commonly known as acrylic. Like PMMA, VeroClear is used as an alternative to glass and is ideal for concept modeling and design verification of clear parts such as eyewear, light covers and medical devices. It offers strength, stiffness, elongation and impact resistance, and the ability to blend with other materials for a range of opacities, hues and hardness. VeroClear enables visualization of internal components and features, and simulation of glass ideal for form and fit testing of see-through parts.
Uses:
- Form and fit testing of see through parts, like glass consumer products, eye wear, light covers and cases
- Visualization of liquid flow
- Medical applications
- Artistic and exhibition modeling
Advantages:
- Outstanding versatility
- Excellent fine feature detail
- Ideal for simulating PMMA
Mechanical / Thermal Properties
| ASTM Method | Property Description | Metric | Imperial |
|---|---|---|---|
| D638M | Tensile Strength | 50-65 MPa | 7,250-9,450 psi |
| D638M | Elongation at Break | 10-25% | 10-25% |
| D638M | Modulus of Elasticity | 2,000-3,000 MPa | 290,000-435,000 psi |
| D790M | Flexural Strength | 75-110 MPa | 11,000-16,000 psi |
| D2240 | Flexural Modulus | 2,200-3,200 MPa | 320,000-465,000 psi |
| D256A | Izod Impact (Notched) | 20-30 J/m | 0.375-0.562 ft-lb/inch |
| D648 | HDT @ 0.46 MPa (66 psi) | 45-50 °C | 113-122 °F |
| D648 | HDT @ 1.81 MPa (264 psi) | 45-50 °C | 113-122 °F |
View / Download the VeroClear data sheet
Agilus30: Simulate thermoplastic elastomers with flexible, rubber-like qualities
Agilus30
Tango and TangoPlus simulate thermoplastic elastomers with flexible, rubber-like qualities. Ideal for testing and verifying visual, tactile and functional applications such as grips, gaskets and footwear. Tango produces soft, flexible prototypes that require shock absorption, vibration dampening or a non-slip surface. Blend Tango with other PolyJet Photopolymers for different hardness, elongation and tear resistance levels.
Agilus30 is a superior Rubber-like PolyJet photopolymer family ideal for advanced design verification and rapid prototyping. Agilus30 accurately simulates the look, feel and function of Rubber-like products. 3D print rubber surrounds, over-molds, soft-touch coatings, living hinges, jigs and fixtures, wearables, grips and seals with improved surface texture.
Uses:
- Rubber surrounds and over molding
- Soft-touch coatings and nonslip surfaces
- Knobs, grips, pulls, handles, gaskets, seals, hoses and footwear
- Exhibition and communication models
Advantages:
- High elongation at break
- High tensile strength
- Outstanding versatility
- Excellent detail visualization
- Can combine with rigid materials to create rubber-like digital materials with varying Shore A values, colors and opacities.
More information on this material can be found here.
Looking for end use rubber parts in large quantities? Check out our HP MJF TPU Rubber option.
Mechanical / Thermal Properties of Agilus30
| ASTM Method | Property Description | Metric | Imperial |
|---|---|---|---|
| D-412 | Tensile Strength | 2.4 – 3.1 MPa | 348 – 450 psi |
| D-412 | Elongation at Break | 220 – 270% | 220 – 270% |
| D-2240 | Shore Hardness (A) | 30 – 35 Scale A | 30 – 35 Scale A |
| D-624 | Tensile Tear Resistance | 4 – 7 Kg/cm | 22 – 39 lb/in |
View / Download the Tango data sheet
View / Download the Agilus30 data sheet
Examples of PolyJet 3D Printing Parts:
PolyJet 3D Printing Design Guide:
Engineers and Designers who are planning to produce PolyJet 3D Printed parts benefit greatly from the extreme design freedom that this process affords with materials like VeroBlack. Unlike traditional manufacturing processes like injection molding and CNC machining where there are limits on what features can be designed into a part due to cost, set up, or tooling restrictions. PolyJet 3D Printing is an additive manufacturing process and therefore you are only limited by your imagination and a few very basic guide lines.
| Possible to print rubber like materials targeting a specific Shore A hardness | PolyJet parts can have threaded brass inserts glued into them | Can print with a layer thickness as small as .0006″ |
| No draft required on the part | Individualized serial numbers can be printed into each piece that is being made | Can print multi-materiel parts, for example: VeroBlack and TangoBlack to simulate a hard part body with TPU overmolding on it |
| Smooth finish on “Class A” surfaces | PolyJet does a great job with assemblies, living hinges, snap fits, and pin hinges. | Parts are great for model making activities like clear coated lenses and “Class A” finishes |
| High-resolution, high-accuracy prototypes | PolyJet is able to print models in full color, no need for sanding or painting | Very smooth surface; fine layer lines can be easily removed |
Our PolyJet 3D Printed Part Design Guide will offer you useful design tips for this 3D printing process as well as answers to many frequently asked questions about about the PolyJet 3D printing process.