proceedings

process technologies at 3DIK

3D printing
FDM process

In FDM printing, a plastic filament wound on a spool is fed through a heated nozzle. The filament is melted and then precisely applied to a build plate through the nozzle. The printer moves the nozzle along the X and Y axes and applies the material layer by layer. Once a layer has cooled and hardened, the nozzle lifts and the next layer is applied on top. This process is repeated until the entire component is finished.

cost-effective production

The materials (mostly thermoplastics such as PLA, ABS and PETG) are inexpensive and widely available, making FDM the preferred choice for rapid prototyping and parts.

versatile material selection

FDM printers can work with a variety of filaments, from standard plastics to specialty materials such as flexible or heat-resistant plastics. This versatility makes FDM ideal for a wide range of applications in product development and engineering.

simple post-processing

The components made from FDM can be easily further processed, whether by sanding, drilling or painting, which makes FDM prints flexible for individual customization.

robustness and durability

FDM prints are durable and resilient due to the stable thermoplastic materials, which also makes them suitable for functional components.

low level of detail

Visible layer lines and limited resolution for complex geometries.

thermal distortion and shrinkage

Risk of deformation, especially with materials such as ABS.

limited variety of materials

Limitation to thermoplastics, limited strength in Z-direction.

need for support structures

Requires additional materials and post-processing.

limited resilience

Less suitable for applications with high requirements for strength and temperature resistance.

3D printing
SLA procedure

The SLA process (stereolithography) is a 3D printing process in which a liquid photopolymer resin is cured layer by layer using a UV laser. The component is created on a construction platform that is gradually lowered or raised while the laser precisely exposes the respective layer contours and polymerizes the resin with pinpoint accuracy. After printing, the component must be cleaned and post-cured under UV light to achieve final stability. SLA is characterized by high precision, fine details and smooth surfaces, making it ideal for prototypes, design models and applications in medical technology or jewelry manufacturing.

high level of detail

High-resolution surface structure ideal for small details with high precision.

smooth surfaces

Components have an almost smooth surface, which often minimizes post-processing.

diverse material options

Uses special resins for different properties (e.g. biocompatible, transparent, flexible).

high dimensional accuracy

Suitable for components that require exact tolerances and high dimensional accuracy.

ideal application for prototypes

Particularly useful for detailed, functional prototypes and models.

complex geometries possible

Precise UV laser allows printing of shapes with complex details and fine overhangs.

limited variety of materials

SLA works exclusively with liquid photopolymers (resins) that harden under UV light. The choice of materials is more limited compared to other processes such as FDM or SLS.

mechanical properties

SLA resins often have less robust properties such as tensile strength or impact resistance compared to engineering plastics, which limits their possible applications.

low temperature resistance

SLA prints are sensitive to high temperatures. Most resins deform at temperatures around 50–70 °C, making them unsuitable for applications in hot environments.

additional work due to post-processing

After printing, the SLA parts have to be extensively reworked. This takes additional time and increases the overall costs.

limited installation space

Compared to FDM or SLS printers, SLA printers usually have smaller build volumes. This limits the size of the printable models, which can be problematic for large-format objects.

fragility and stability

SLA-printed parts tend to be brittle, especially under constant load or mechanical pressure. They are less flexible and resilient than components made using other processes. SLA is therefore often less suitable for technical applications or mechanical components.

3D scan
structured infrared light system

A 3D scanner that uses structured infrared light captures the shape of an object by projecting an invisible pattern of infrared light (usually lines or a grid of dots) onto the object. One or more cameras capture the reflection of this pattern distorted by the surface of the object. The scanner's software analyzes these distortions to calculate the precise spatial coordinates of each point and generate a detailed 3D point cloud that maps the shape of the object. The result is a precise 3D model suitable for detailed digital reproductions. This process is fast, accurate, and invisible to the human eye, so it can be used discreetly and safely.

sensitive to ambient light

Bright ambient light or direct sunlight can interfere with the infrared patterns and affect accuracy.

limited range

Works best at short distances, therefore unsuitable for very large objects or distant surfaces.

problems with reflective or transparent surfaces

Reflective or transparent materials reflect infrared light unevenly, resulting in incomplete or distorted scans.

susceptibility to movement

The object and the scanner must remain still during the scan, as movement will cause image distortion.

medicine and dental technology

For scanning body parts or teeth for custom-fit prostheses, dental implants or orthopedic devices.

Industry and Quality Assurance

For measuring and checking components and workpieces for accuracy, e.g. in mechanical engineering or the automotive industry.

art and Monument Preservation

For the digital capture of works of art, sculptures and historical artifacts to create digital archives or for reproduction.

animation and gaming

For scanning faces or bodies for 3D models and characters in digital media.

product design and prototyping

To quickly and accurately convert existing parts or models into digital form, which can then be further processed or modified.

proceedings

3D printing FDM process

3D printing SLA procedure

3D scan structured infrared light system

3D printing
FDM process

3D printing
SLA procedure

3D scan
structured infrared light system